We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hillary Jackson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hillary below.

Hillary, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

When we moved our family to a new city—Atlanta from Connecticut—my children were getting older and more independent in school, which gave me the opportunity to return to art classes for the first time in decades. I discovered jewelry making and was immediately captivated. An example of inspiration was encountering Mignonne Gavigan’s embroidered jewelry work. Seeing these new mediums and approaches opened me to possibilities I’d never considered in the commercial jewelry space.
I’ve always been intrigued by flowers—their rare seasonal moments, their significance, the personal connections we form with them. My strength is being a preservation artist, I was fascinated by how dried flowers could retain their life-like beauty while applying new mediums allowed them to be more resilient and create breathtaking presentations. This sparked an idea: what if I could capture that same ephemeral beauty in jewelry? Could I preserve the exquisite beauty that nature creates while making it durable enough to wear as wearable art?
There’s something profound in finite beauty—something fleeting and giving it permanence without losing its essence. Ah ha! I could apply this technique to butterflies as well. I can honor the beauty of what already exists in nature and translate it into wearable art! I knew this journey was going to be truly special.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a preservation artist who creates wearable art by transforming nature’s fleeting beauty into durable, stunning jewelry pieces. The breakthrough moment came when I realized I could apply my specialized preservation techniques to create art that’s resilient, crazy resilient!, rather than any medium yet introduced, like traditional glass-encased pieces (that are gorgeous BTW). I can capture nature’s ephemeral beauty—flowers in their prime, the fleeting blessing of butterfly sightings—and transform them into something extraordinary.

My jewelry evokes personal reverence and tells stories of nature’s finite beauty. Each piece showcases life and natural elements in their authentic glory, transforming inherent beauty into treasured accessories that can be worn and enjoyed for years to come. I create for heirloom quality, especially when I preserve a family’s wedding bouquet or other meaningful flowers, creating lasting memories that can be passed down through generations

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I’m fortunate to be in a chapter of my life where I could pursue my artistic passion without the immediate pressure of financial necessity. My family, especially my husband, has been incredibly supportive of me following something that brings me such genuine joy. I recognize that many talented artists can’t pursue their creative endeavors because they lack the financial backing to stay the course when it takes time to build a business.

Rather than setting a strict budget or financial bottom line, I approached this differently. My ‘why’—a clear understanding of what this work means to me and how does it support my priorities as a mother, wife and business owner. If the positives and personal fulfillment far outweigh the financial pressures or challenges, I know we’re on the right path.

This approach has allowed me to develop my craft, enjoy building authentic relationships with (my awesome) clients, and not be driven by financial metrics.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My art isn’t for everyone, and I embrace that. Like any targeted marketing strategy, the key is knowing your audience. When I connect with ‘my people’—those who truly understand and appreciate what I do—their genuine enthusiasm speaks volumes and becomes the foundation of my reputation.

I think what resonates most is the sincerity and passion behind my work. People can sense how much this creative process brings me joy. Being entrusted with preserving a bride’s wedding bouquet or creating bespoke jewelry from flowers sourced from nationally coveted gardens—these aren’t just commissions, they’re profound honors. I’m genuinely humbled by the trust clients place in me to preserve their most meaningful moments.

This passion extends beyond my studio work. I’ll walk outside and get completely excited about how my hydrangeas have changed colors with the summer heat, and suddenly I’m flooded with new creative ideas. That genuine enthusiasm for the natural world around me is something clients feel and connect with. It’s not manufactured—it’s who I am.

Word-of-mouth has been everything for my business. When someone receives a piece that perfectly captures a special memory or moment in nature, they become advocates for my work. They understand that what I’m creating isn’t just jewelry—it’s wearable art that tells their story and honors the beauty they want to preserve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hillaryjacksondesigns.com
• Instagram: @hillaryjacksondesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HillaryJacksonDesigns

Image Credits

Photography by Heidi Harris, Sara Baurley, Hunter Bania.