Franklin
- By day, she sorts through Franklin's motor vehicle tax bills. By night, she sorts through beautiful, fine crystal, gemstone and glass beads. "It's a girl thing." said Jamie'Lee Baer with a girlish grin, lightly playing her fingers over a strand of polished lamp glass beads around her neck.
It doesn't take but a moment or two to realize that Baer is passionate about working with the beads, which have launched her toward a business venture specializing in hand-crafted, custom-designed jewelry.
She calls her fledging business "It's a Girl Thing! Designs by Jamie'Lee."
Baer's passion for creating jewelry emerged one day in perhaps the most unlikely of places. The Franklin treasurer-collector's office, where she has worked for about four years. "My boss one day came in wearing this beautiful crystal bracelet," said Baer, referring to assistant treasurer- collector Sandy Fanning. Baer was smitten, and decided that she wanted to create her own jewelry designs. She enrolled in a beading class at Sarapaan, a custom bead and jewelry store in Franklin. That was in March. "I've been off and running since," said Baer, a long-time Franklin resident who recently moved to Uxbridge with her husband, Greg.
In just a few months, she is already making a name for her jewelry, which she describes as "classic." Jamie has really emerged as an artist," said Barbara Staffier of Franklin, a friend and co-worker in the treasurer-collector's office. "Something went off in her head. It just clicked with her."
When Baer sent some pieces of jewelry to Fox25 News anchor Maria Stephanos recently, she never really expected a response. She was thrilled when the jewelry appeared at Stephanos' neck and ears during two newscasts, and has since taken up some correspondence with her. "I made her a rose quartz and Swarovski crystal necklace and earrings," said Baer. Stephanos' modeling of the jewelry couldn't have been a better endorsement of Baer's artistry. But she's not the only one enjoying Baer's work. Baer's Web site has seen more than 1,000 hits since it went live in July, and she's already had some repeat customers.
Baer is choosy about her pieces. She said she would never create a piece that she wouldn't wear herself. "I think I bring a different flare," she said. "And I don't use plastic beads. I use gemstones and Swarovski crystal and Venetian glass." The Austrian crystals, she explained, are of a finer quality and cut than other crystal.
"If you just take one look at her work, you can just see the quality." noted Staffier. "Her work is so creative. It's beautiful. I'm proud to wear it."
Staffier is one of Baer's greatest supporters, along with Baer's husband and her son, Adam, who is a student at the Butera School of Art in Boston. Greg Baer and Staffier have found themselves helping out the last few months when Baer sets up shop at crafters' fairs. They're also the first to encourage her when she dreams about taking her jewelry making to the next level.
At 42, Baer, a native of Norfolk, said she approaches the idea of possibly going into business with trepidation. But her passion is strong and, she said, "I really want to take it somewhere. I don't want to have any regrets."
Baer's jewelry can be viewed on her Web site at www.itsagirlthingdesigns.com. |
It's A Girl Thing Designs by Jamie'Lee was chosen by
Style Bakery as a "Designer on the Rise" for
Spring/Summer '07!
It's A Girl Thing
Designs has been chosen by
