We recently connected with Julia (Julie or Jules) Monroe and have shared our conversation below.

Julia (Julie or Jules) , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of my sources for rock slabs is an auction site on facebook: Cabs and Slabs and Rocks That Rage and I have been a customer for many years. The owner, Jennie, posted a photo of a jade cabochon that her elderly father had cabbed. In her memory this was the only stone he had ever cut and in her opinion “it was a little wonky”. A traditional cabochon has consistent qualities, such as a flat bottom and tapered sides, allowing an external bezel to be made to hold the stone in place and for a silversmith, these industry standards are pretty important. This cab wasn’t cut to “industry standards”, let’s say. She treasured it though and she mentioned she wished there was a way to set it in silver. Jennie is a lapadary artist, not a silversmith, so turning this cabochon into jewelry was not something she could do. I knew I could “set it” and I offered to do so. She sent the stone to me. I knew I was going to make something special for her, but I needed to know about her father so I asked her to tell me about him. Of the information she sent me, this is what I concentrated on—- His ranch is called Nine Pines. His spirit animal is the eagle. His birthstone is opal. —. The front of the pendant is straight forward set, but using prongs and bezel. The back gets personal and this is my favorite side. I pierced out of the backplate nine pine trees, and an eagle flying overhead, clutching an opal. This design represents Jennie’s dad’s spirit flying over his beloved Nine Pines Ranch….one day when he no longer walks this earth. I gifted this to them and they both cried when they opened it. I have a very tender heart and my gifts, like this, are so soul satisfying to me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always preferred to make my own jewelry and many years ago I began with simple beading techniques but realized that was not enough. I had to become a silversmith and have spent the last 13 years becoming proficient in the techniques of silversmith, casting and enamel.

As ~my style was forming~ and as all artists come into their art with their own vision, having a fascination with the tools jewelers use to create their pieces, resulted in a desire to produce jewelry in the manner of traditional silversmiths. Due to this respect of tradition, I fabricate every piece in every design and am honored to be a hand-forged silversmith.

My work encompasses a blend of the old in the sense of fabrication techniques and the new in the sense of modern design. My hand forged style aIso meant I needed cut my own gemstones so I added lapidary to my skill set. I place a heavy emphasis on jewelry with gemstones (cabochons as well as faceted stones) and most of my pieces will be composed of a cabochon style gemstone which I will have personally cut.

I love custom work. Making a cherished piece specifically for someone.

I have a tent at most of the local festivals such as Artwalk, The San Diego Festival of the Arts, The La Jolla Art and Wine Festival, the Carlsbad Maker’s Markets and Art in the Village and The Dana Point Redo Vintage and Maker’s Market.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My jewelry career began in Asheville, NC, where I was born and raised. My jewelry was in several galleries and I had wonderful customers. In 2014, being young retirees, my husband and I decided to move to beautiful Southern California and settled in the quaint little town of Rancho Santa Fe. I had to basically “start over” and integrate myself into the SoCal art community, which was actually pretty easy. Both the San Diego Mineral and Gem Society and Anneville Jewelry Lab were wonderful resources. Later I would teach silversmithing at both locations. Currently, I teach in my home studio.

I love to participate in festival vending and throughout the year I will be vending somewhere almost every month.
My remaining 2022 festival schedule is as follows:
August 6 and 7: Artwalk Liberty Station
Sept 9 and 10: San Diego Festival of the Arts
October 8 and 9: La Jolla Art and Wine Festival
October 30: Dana Point Redo Vintage and Artisan Maker’s Market
December 3: Carlsbad Holiday Showcase and Maker’s Market

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being a custom jewelry designer-hands down.

Taking a stone (former story) and making a piece of jewelry so special the customer and her father cried when they opened it, just takes my craft to such a lovely place spiritually speaking.

My heart is full at the completion of every custom piece~and my Instagram @studiojulessilversmith is full of story after story of special pieces I have made.

Contact Info:

• Website: Studiojulessilversmith.com
• Instagram: @studiojulessilversmith

Image Credits
I took the photos that are not great.
Polly took the professional shots.   You will be able to tell the difference.