Maker: Jenice of J and D Workshop

I’m really excited to follow Jenice in these next months of her traveling. I’m curious to see what she will glean from all the places that she is going to see, and how it will reflect in the things that she makes. Read more of my interview with Jenice to find out all about J and D workshop, and follow her as she travels!

~Angie~

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Jenice Anderson and I grew up in Martinez, CA, which is considered the East Bay. I’ve lived in Grass Valley, a small town in Northern California, for the last ten years because I had an amazing opportunity to build my own home there. And now I’m a little in between places having just sold that home.

What do you make or do?

I make and sell jewelry. Primarily silver and semi-precious stones. I try to work with recycled metals and conflict free stones.

Where can we find your creations?

This is the interesting part, currently my shop is paused as I’m taking advantage of my lack of a house payment to travel the country for two months. Instagram is the best way to find my work and when my shop will be open again. And I’ll be focusing on road trip friendly crafts and doing some fun giveaways. So for now I can be found at

Instagram: @janddworkshop and @bigassroadtrip

Website: janddworkshop.com

Etsy: JandDWorkshop

Is there an interesting story behind the name of your business?

Most people think the J in my business name is for me. But it’s for my dog Jelly and the D is for my dog Dot. They stole my heart. And even though Jelly had passed when I was naming my shop I knew it had to include them. And Dot is the best shop dog so it really fits.

Is creativity a luxury or a necessity for you?

Being creative is kind of new to me. But I would say it’s a necessity now. I actually set aside non-work crafting time to try different things. It helps to keep me from burning out. And it adds to my work. After learning about all the colors I could work with in weaving I started adding more colorful stones to my pieces.

Where do you find inspiration?

Travel. Someone once said my jewelry was “architectural.” And that was a huge compliment. I am definitely inspired by my time in New York and London and San Francisco. Which is why I think this trip will be great for my work. Maybe Santa Fe and New Orleans will inspire more color in my pieces. Or maybe my time in Maine will send me in a more rustic direction. I’m excited to see how my work changes.

What’s on the horizon for you and what you do?

I plan to have a new studio by the end of August. Not making jewelry is hard. But I keep a sketch book close at hand. And I’m keeping busy with other crafts so my creative side stays active. One of my big goals is to do a Renegade Craft Fair. That show is really what started my journey so getting to do it, even once, would be a huge honor.

What inspiring advice would you give to other creatives be they established or just starting out?

I just started last year, after one amazing one week class. A lot of what I’ve learned is trial and error and the internet. I could have put off opening a shop until I had more experience or had sold in stores or done a show. But there is no right time to start, you have to just jump in sometimes. And some people think taking this big of a break so early on will hurt my business. I think it will help it. Travel inspires me. Who would say no to two months of inspiration?

Do what is right for you, find a supportive community, and don’t compare yourself to anyone.