PHILLY
EVENTSLOCAL SPOTLIGHT: JJewelz by Jan Pecarsky
We’ve got our eye on this local jewelry designer and her LBD-perfect necklaces
- jjewelz.com
Out with the old and in with the new — or do we really have to choose? Main Line resident and jewelry designer Jan Pecarsky allows us a perfect fusion of the classic and the zany with her fun, sophisticated line of necklaces, JJewelz. To make her bold pieces, Pecarsky incorporates great finds from area antique stores with newer semi-precious stones (think soft amethyst and rich turquoise) into eye-catching combinations.
An Art Education major from the Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia and former elementary art teacher, Pecarsky took up beadwork as a hobby when she became a stay-at-home mom nearly 30 years ago. This hobby quickly turned into a full-blown career when friends — and then friends of friends — began to request her statement-making pieces. A decade later, she was selling to Bloomie’s in King of Prussia and Saks in Bala Cynwyd, and getting picked up in independent boutiques throughout the area.
Today, Pecarsky looks to inspiration from the Philadelphia skyline and has colorful pieces for every type of woman, from the sophisticated suburban mom to the trendy urbanite. She can replicate any of her designs that a customer may want, but usually makes tweaks to every piece so that it’s customized for each individual. “It’s very important that a woman has her own identity,” she says. “That’s with makeup, clothes — and most importantly, jewelry!”
Look for JJewelz trunk shows at local boutiques including Knit Wit, and browse and buy her pieces online (or contact her for a private showing) at jjewelz.com or 610-256-2797. A portion of her proceeds goes to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.
An Art Education major from the Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia and former elementary art teacher, Pecarsky took up beadwork as a hobby when she became a stay-at-home mom nearly 30 years ago. This hobby quickly turned into a full-blown career when friends — and then friends of friends — began to request her statement-making pieces. A decade later, she was selling to Bloomie’s in King of Prussia and Saks in Bala Cynwyd, and getting picked up in independent boutiques throughout the area.
Today, Pecarsky looks to inspiration from the Philadelphia skyline and has colorful pieces for every type of woman, from the sophisticated suburban mom to the trendy urbanite. She can replicate any of her designs that a customer may want, but usually makes tweaks to every piece so that it’s customized for each individual. “It’s very important that a woman has her own identity,” she says. “That’s with makeup, clothes — and most importantly, jewelry!”
Look for JJewelz trunk shows at local boutiques including Knit Wit, and browse and buy her pieces online (or contact her for a private showing) at jjewelz.com or 610-256-2797. A portion of her proceeds goes to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.
Originally published on phillymag.com on August 13, 2009.
