For those of us who are fans of artistic Judaica, the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike against major U.S. film and TV studios was truly a blessing.
Let me explain.
During the strike, the entertainment industry was at a standstill; without writers, no new shows could be produced. And while many of us were watching the endless lineup of TV reruns, Jill Fagin, a young, recently unemployed film worker living in Greenwich Village, decided to try her hand at designing and producing interesting jewelry.
It didn’t take long for her unique style to catch on, and before long she was filling orders from fashionable galleries and retailers. By the time the strike ended six months later, Jill’s work was selling so well that she didn’t have time to go back to film, even though she had intended to all along. And so Jillery became a thriving, successful business.
Jill’s designs combine metals and colored glass beads that create a sophisticated yet whimsical look for her jewelry. She has developed a signature style that incorporates shaped aluminum wire into each of her handmade pieces. Not only is her wire lightweight and non-tarnishing, but it’s also made of recycled aluminum – a real bonus as we’re all trying to go “green” in our business practices.
At Traditions Jewish Gifts, we carry many of her pendants, bracelets, and earrings that feature traditional symbols such as hamsa and the Jewish star.
While Jill got into the jewelry business by serendipity, chance also played a role in her entry into Judaica and Jewish-themed housewares. During the 90s, the fashion trend in jewelry was minimalist, and her sales declined. The artist toyed with taking ordinary housewares and making them unique with wire and beads that gave a fun, funky look.
When she embellished a medical test tube with shaped wire to create a vase and displayed it at a trade show, one curious customer asked if it were a mezuzah. That was all the inspiration she needed. With a few modifications to her vase, Jill was able to present it as a mezuzah, and it “sold like crazy.” A wide array of products followed.
Nowadays, Jill works from her Greenwich Village studio, where she creates new designs and makes some of the special pieces that require her touch. Her team of skilled artists still crafts each Jillery piece by hand. Customers can help design the items they want by specifying the details for colors, embellishments, or inscriptions in products such as photo frames.
If you’re looking for a gift that’s artistic, functional, and anything but ordinary, be sure to check out our online catalog for the Jillery collection. You’ll be delighted with the fun and whimsy Jill adds to your gift-giving.