We recently connected with Kelly Jo Gentilini and have shared our conversation below.

Kelly jo, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I’ve been making rock jewelry for so long it’s difficult to recall with certainty the first dollar I have ever earned from my craft. However, I would have to say it was the year I received my rock tumbler. I vividly remember in 4th grade I started wearing some of my necklaces to school. A couple of classmates took notice and asked if I could make them one. As a budding entrepreneur, I said yes for a dollar or two. I remember getting off the bus, running into the house to tell my mom and look through my tumbled material. At that time, I was just gluing the rocks to bail and adding a rope. Since the glue needed time to dry I had to start the process right away. The next day I proudly walked down the hall with my handful of freshly made necklaces and made the sale!

I continued to find, collect, and tumble cool rocks after that. My next venue was my Aunt’s annual garage/craft sale. Instead of selling lemonade, I had a table selling rock necklaces and beaded lizards. After the ‘cute kid selling necklaces’ wore off, I struggled to take steps to grow and sell my unique pendants. As an adult, I took business and marketing classes and started working at a local Jewelry store. I asked if I could have a small display (2-3 pendants) in a lower traffic area and they agreed! That was a big confidence booster for me. One day, a woman walked in and asked who made the wire wrapped necklaces. She wanted to commission a necklace using a stone she had. Even though I had sold pendants in the past, this moment stands out as the start of a new chapter in my career. The first time someone approached me to create something just for them.

This Spring I had my first wholesale purchase! Obviously far from my first dollar as an artist but it definitely will stand out as a first in my wire wrapping career. Needless to say I may or may not have the check framed in my craft room. I am currently seeking other wholesale venues to add Kj’s Gems one of a kind creations! My products can be found in five locations across the Iron Range and online in my Etsy shop!

Current locations: Rings Things & Bling by Suzanne’s Jewelry, Laurentian Monument Granite & Stone, Cherry Greenhouse Chisholm location, the Hibbing Tourist Center and Pehrson Lodge in Cook (seasonally).

Kelly jo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My passion for rocks began when I was about 2 years old. It started as a game of ‘find a square-shaped rock’ in the driveway and blossomed into a love for finding and collecting as many varieties of ‘cool’ rocks as possible. As I got older, around 8 years old, the rocks began to pile up, and it was apparent that a new system was needed. Luckily, Santa came to the rescue with my first rock tumbler! It was a small 2-pound tumbler with starter rocks, all the grit, and a jewelry-making kit. That became my new obsession. Just like that, Kjs Gems was born! Fast forward many years, and I still love finding, collecting, and tumbling remarkable rocks and turning them into one-of-a-kind works of art. I even use the same tumbler I received as a child along with new tumblers I’ve picked up along the way. With my largest tumbler being 25lb-er!

In September of 2023, I opened a shop on Etsy and turned my dream of starting a business into a reality. Today, I create one-of-a-kind wire-wrapped pendants, sun catchers, and copper wire tree sculptures and specialize in Mary Ellen Jasper pendants and Tree of Life agate sun catchers.

Mary Ellen Jasper was first discovered in the Mary Ellen Iron Mine in Biwabik, Minnesota, in the early 1900’s. This material contains 1.88 billion years of fossilized algae known as stromatolites. This algae was credited with helping to raise the oxygen level from 2% to the present day, 22%, making it possible for all higher forms of life. All of my Mary Ellen Jasper stones come directly out of this mine! The Mary Ellen mine is closed to the public, but I’m lucky enough to work for Biwabik Mary Ellen Stone Company, which owns the mine today. I take great pride in this material since I hand-pick, tumble/polish, and wrap each one!

The other items I specialize in are twisted/braided wire tree of life agate sun catchers. The Tree of Life symbol is ancient. This iconic symbol is almost as old as humans. The tree symbolizes the cycle of life, new beginnings, and the connection between heaven and earth. Each tree consists of a 3–6-inch round Brazilian agate slice of varying colors and a twisted wire tree.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think this is something that has really caught fire since COVID: Shopping Local. Shopping Handmade. Shopping Small Businesses. In my opinion this is the best thing society can do to help create a thriving ecosystem. This not only keeps more money in the local economy but also creates more opportunities for growth in the area and an environment where future generations feel empowered to generate new ideas and share their unique creative visions without fear of judgment.

The power of art in creating social change is undeniable. It has been used throughout history to inspire, challenge norms and educate people. Art plays a vital role in helping us make sense of our lives and the world around us. It helps to express our emotions, communicate, connect with each other and explore the depths of our imaginations. By engaging with art, we can discover more about ourselves, the world around us and cultivate empathy and understanding.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is being able to share my craft and excitement with others’ who enjoy my work. Being able to sit down with different raw materials and start creating something one of a kind that’s responsible for making someone else happy. It is one of the most fulfilling feelings we can experience.

I love being able to look at, in my case a rock, and be able to envision so much more. It’s being able to express myself in my creation, the freedom to explore new ideas and see what works and what doesn’t. Knowing that this item is not only meaningful to me but also getting to witness the impact it has on others. Most of all experiencing the joy of bringing my ideas to life!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kjgemswraps.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjgems.wraps
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550774499946
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/KjsGemsWraps/

Image Credits

Kelly jo Gentilini