The
Jewels by Jan "Team", L-R: Jan, Pat and Jackie (To view ALL of the styles, go here) Jewels-by-Jan
creates unique and beautiful barefoot sandals, employing delicate, feminine styles
that are light, beautiful, and easy to wear. With designs that range from casual
to elegant, Jewels-by-Jan combines skilled craftsmanship with the artistic and
the fashionable to produce exquisite creations that are suitable for any occasion,
from the most informal to the most special. One
of the first things many people notice about Jewels-by-Jan jewelry is the skillful
use of color in her designs, from the simple beauty of colorful Czech glass to
the striking combination of genuine Swarovski crystals and pearls. Beautiful hues
of hand-selected stones and pearls complement each other perfectly, so as to create
designs that are sophisticated and attractive, yet draw attention to the wearer
more than to themselves. Unlike
many jewelry designers today who merely assemble bought components, every piece
of Jewels-by-Jan's jewelry is individually hand-strung, allowing designs to be
of a uniqueness and style not found in those that are mass-produced. Accent beads
are carefully selected in order to bring out the lustrous color of the glass beads.
Beads and pearls are selected not just for their beauty and quality but also for
the role each will play in the overall design. All to create a look that is stylish,
artistic, and classically modern. Swagtime: You launched the company in the Fall of 2003. Where did the idea for a barefoot sandal company come from? Long
story short - the first Jewels by Jan barefoot sandal was born. The
tiny seed beads that I placed at the toe instantly made them more
comfortable. The use of Czech glass beads with a few
Swarovski crystals worked into the double-strand pattern gave them a
whole, new look. And finally, the addition of a "medallion" to
tie everything together and create a centerpiece on the top of the foot
really finished off the whole design. My first sandal was
such a hit with friends and family that it didn't take long for all the
encouragement to blossom into a brand, new business. Jan:
Shortly after I started the business, my sister Pat became my
partner. Whether it was divine inspiration or merely two sisters
discovering they had a knack for designing jewelry, we each began to
design sandals that would appeal to all types of women, teens and even
children. Two heads are better than one and we each seemed to be
fueled by passion to come up with new and unique patterns. Swagtime: What type of occassions are these best for? Jan:
The possibilities are endless. Foot jewelry is for ALL your
barefoot occasions! While the beach is ideal since you're already
barefoot, customers are wearing them on cruises, at the pool, on their
honeymoon, house parties and even with lingerie. Belly dancers
are wearing them for photo sessions while in full costume. Swagtime: The foot jewelry is very comfortable, what kind of beads do you use that make it so and where do you get them from? Jan:
It was our idea to use very small seed beads on the portion of the
sandal that goes behind and between the toes. We found that
our sandals felt the most comfortable this way so we use the
smallest bead that the .7mm cord can go through. We also make our
sandals in 3 sizes so that they fit correctly and show only beads and
no cord. Since we're now purchasing beads and medallions in large
quantities, we are able to get them directly from the Czech Republic
and from a Swarovski distributor. Swagtime: Can you wear the foot jewels while you're wearing other shoes? Jan:
Yes, you CAN wear the sandals with certain types of shoes and they look
fabulous. Because of the tiny beads at the toe, you can slip them
on easily with flip flops. To dress up a pair of strappy sandals,
just slip your foot into the lower loop, slip your foot into your shoe
and then place the other loop over your shoe straps and behind your
toe. You can also wear the sandals as a double-strand ankle
bracelet for a different look. Instructions come with every pair. Swagtime: What is your best-selling style? Jan:
Our best selling design at this time is the Hearts Desire. This
romantic design combines the purity and innocence of white hearts with
the twinkle and brillance of Swarovski crystals. The medallion
featuring 9 rhinestones in a silver pattern of swirls tops off this
popular style. Swagtime: What celebrities can you envision wearing Jewels by Jan? Jan:
I can see MANY celebrities wearing beaded foot jewelry - anyone that
gets pedicures and likes to have sexy, manicured toes is a perfect
barefoot sandal customer. Every time I watch an award show
I see beautiful movie stars wearing gorgeous shoes - anyone who has an
eye for a beautiful shoe - is a barefoot sandal lover. Swagtime: Are there any Hollywood events where you could see the ladies wearing them? Jan:
I KNOW that Hollywood stars have beach weddings and travel to many
exotic beaches. When I watch Access Hollywood and see photos of a
celebrity bride at her beach wedding going totally barefoot I cringe -
where are her barefoot sandals!!!! Swagtime: Where can our Swagtime readers get a pair of these terrific barefoot sandals? Jan: All of our sandals are available online at our website; For custom orders just give me a call - we'll design whatever our
customer wants. We guarantee to ship within 48 hours of receiving
an order and each order is shipped in a color-coordinated organza
drawstring bag.
Wedding Sandals for Beach Brides / Children's Sandals / Beaded Bracelets
Barefoot Sandals
.
The women behind the unique barefoot sole less alternative to wearing regular shoes.
Jewels by Jan is a family jewelry business operating out of two locations - Des moines, Iowa and San Diego, California. We started handcrafting our beaded foot jewelry in September 2003 with a small number of barefoot sandal designs. Our selection of foot jewels and beaded bracelets has now expanded to include a variety of crystal and glass bracelets as well as barefoot sandals for children. We continue to add new designs all the time and we have now expanded our Destination Beach Wedding selection to twelve designs for the trendy beach wedding bride. Remember that in addition to offering our beautiful alternative to shoes for the bride, we also handcraft color-coordinated barefoot sandals for your bridesmaids and flower girl. Imagine your bridesmaids and flower girl wearing Lavender Lace barefoot sandals to match their lavendar dresses. Now that's a stylish beach wedding!
We always welcome your comments and we'd love to hear any suggestions you'd like to see on our web site. If you have had a recent beach wedding and wore Jewels by Jan Barefoot sandals, we would love to see them!
Jan - Pat - Jackie
Press Release
What
Makes Us Unique?
Newspaper/Magazine Articles and Website Features:
As Seen on Swagtime.com, April 2007
SWAGTIME DISCOVERIES!
"Each month Swagtime highlights a product that is so seriously cool and fabulous we know it should be a swag!
This month we are pleased to introduce you to Jewels by Jan!
Barefeet never looked so sexy so Swagtime . . just had to chat with founder Jan
Baker about this unique family jewelry business and learn more about these
swagalicious barefoot sandals!"
Jan:
The inspiration for our barefoot sandals actually came from a gift I
received back in 2003 from a friend who had just returned from
Cancun. She sent me a pair of barefoot sandals for my birthday
and said they were being worn by everyone on the beach. The pair was
made strictly with wood beads and the design was very basic yet they
were very uncomfortable because the beads that went between the toes
were very large and the loop for the foot stretched apart so much that
cord was showing between the beads.
I
pictured something with color and sparkle - something a bit more
feminine and maybe even sexy. With that in mind, I made my first
trip to a local bead store. I had never designed jewelry before
let alone set foot inside a bead store but once there I saw so many
beautiful beads that I couldn't wait to get home and put my design
ideas to the test.
Swagtime: Each pair of foot jewels is hand-made, where do you get your design inspirations?
Swagtime: How do you make each pair?
Every
pair is very labor intensive, especially in the design phase.
Every pair is strung by hand, trying various combinations of beads
until coming up with a pattern that we like. If our collection
needed a pair in red, one of us would buy various red beads and
by trial and error come up with a design that we think will be
appealing. Our goal is to offer exciting color combinations and a
variety of designs that could be worn for all kinds of different
occasions.
Destination
beach weddings seem to be the most popular occasion for barefoot
sandals - so much so that we've designed a bridal collection that
not only features Swarovski crystals and sparkling clear glass beads in
many different patterns but also designs using traditional wedding
pearls. And along with our regular bridal selections, we've
custom designed many different combinations for brides who request
something unique to their wedding gown. We haven't
forgotten about the attendants and flower girl either - we custom
design sandals to match all color combinations so everyone can have a
pair to match their dress. Many beach brides have given their
attendants barefoot sandals to match their dresses for the wedding as
gifts. And after many requests, we have also designed a sandal
especially for the men for beach weddings.
Exerpted from the Des Moines Register, September 11, 2006
"Paying Back With Wisdom,"
Article by Patt Johnson,
. . .Sisters Jan Baker of San Diego and Pat Jones of Clive sought help from SCORE when they were putting a plan together to make and sell foot jewelry online.
"I attended one of SCORE's one-day seminars," Baker said. The sisters learned about marketing their product, tax implications and how hiring employees would affect their bottom line.
Baker said much of the invaluable information from SCORE volunteers helped the pair craft a solid business plan.
"They are an invaluable resource," she said. "(Counselors) can't give you legal advice, but they can point you in the right direction. I would never start another business without advice from SCORE."
"Best Foot Forward," by Susan Kreimer
(Excerpted from the July 2006 edition of "Professional Jeweler" Magazine.)
Barefoot on the beach? Yes, barefoot...but stepping in style!
This summer, bottomless barefoot sandals with beads galore are making shimmering statements. And fancy foot adornments - oh, those eye-catching ankle bracelets and toe rings - are treading closely in popularity.
On sandy terrains and in urban settings handcrafted foot jewelry has attracted an almost fanatical following. Designers are especially busy this summer stringing together customized combinations - just in time for weddings and seasonal celebrations.
Many are new at this line of work; yet skilled enough that repeat orders keep streaming in. ""We're deep into foot jewelry. It's all we do," says Jan Baker, 58, of San Diego, California.
In September 2003 she launched "Jewels by Jan - Beaded Foot Jewelry for all your "barefoot" occasions!"
At beach weddings, barefoot sandals are a bride's best friends. "It's too hard to walk in sand with any kind of shoes, even flip-flops", Baker says. What a difference her creations make.
"Your feet are free to wiggle in the sand but they're decorated with sparkly beads. The sandals are comfortable to wear because the beads are strung on durable elastic cord. You just slip your feet into them; there are no hooks to fasten."
And if you want to wear something on your soles - from casual to dressy - these so-called sandals are good to go.
Although she receives orders year-round, purchases peak around this time.
Each item is handmade by Baker or her younger sister, Pat Jones, who lives in the Des Moines, Iowa area. There's no mass production of piece after piece. Everything has a touch of originality.
Take the order that Baker recently shipped to Hawaii, for example. The bride requested one pair for her wedding, another for her honeymoon, along with hot pink and red beaded sets for her bridesmaids and 4-year-old flower girl. "When I finished designing these particular sandals, I actually saw how pretty the combination of the two colors really was," says Baker, who is from Iowa.
Another bride exercised distinctly different demands. Intent on donning a rhinestone necklace that's a family heirloom, she wanted her feet to dazzle just as much. Her wedding wish became Baker's command.
"We've even had men ask us if we plan to design a beach sandal that they could wear," she says. "Haven't done that yet but, hey, whatever the customer wants - we try to accomplish it."
Jan Baker, ever the enterpriser, buys her beads only from U.S. suppliers, not from overseas.
In June, she and her sister geared up to be first-time vendors at a California belly dance event expecting more than 5,000 attendees.
Both have day jobs - she's an Administrative Assistant for a clinical research organization; her sister is a hairdresser with a loyal customer base. "We're busy making 200 pairs of sandals - the majority of them all different designs," Baker says, while preparing weeks in advance. "We felt that it would be a good selling point for no two pairs to be the same."
###
A pair of Jewels-by-Jan wedding sandals were featured in the October 2005 issue of America's Bride
Magazine in a section called "A Day at the Beach."
As seen in the Des
Moines Register August 10, 2004: "STYLISH TWIST"
A souvenir
gift from Cancun was the inspiration for a new business two sisters started as
a way to work together. They are creating, marketing and selling foot jewelry
called a barefoot sandal - a beaded loop that wraps around the foot behind the
heel and is secured under the second toe.
The beads can be worn on bare
feet, over strappy sandals and flip-flops as a decorative element or, by doubling
one of the strings, as an ankle bracelet. "My sister and I always wanted to start
a business together," said Jan Baker, 56, a native Iowan who now lives in San
Diego. "But we didn't get into this to make a lot of money. We did it for fun." Pat Jones, 54, is the Operations Manager of the company, Jewels by Jan. "We turned this into a family business with even my husband helping us make them," Jones said.
Jewels by Jan barefoot sandals are made with Czech
glass beads and pearls in a variety of colors with silver or gold accents. A decorative
medallion connecting the loop in the center creates a focal point on top of the
foot. Medallions are usually mother-of-pearl shapes such as shells, flowers or
butterflies and each pair includes a handy organza drawstring bag.
The
idea for Jewels by Jan came from a pair of barefoot sandals Baker's friend
brought her last year from Mexico. Baker decided to replicate them, with modifications.
She strung better quality beads together and substituted the small seed beads
for the part that wrapped around the toe to make them more comfortable. She added
the medallion as a focal point.
When friends and family raved about them
that was all the encouragement Baker needed to turn it into a business. "I had
absolutely no background in this, but I'm creative anyway," she said. "I do calligraphy
and scrap booking - I just never thought I'd be designing jewelry."
Baker
turned to the Small Business Administration for advice on setting up a business
and took a class from Service Corps of Retired Executives on managing a business.
Jones' daughter, Jackie, helped them draw up a business plan and has given them
marketing ideas. Baker and Jones got serious about marketing and selling Jewels
by Jan about March this year and estimate they have sold around 50 pairs per month.
Many sales are by word-of-mouth, Jones said. "I had someone stop me the other
day in the grocery store and ask where I got mine. I sold her a pair on the spot."
Mary Morning of Clear Lake saw them in the beauty salon where Jones works part
time. She bought a black and silver pair. "I fell in love with them right away.
They are so comfortable and I get so many comments on them," said Morning, who
wears them for social occasions as ankle bracelets or with sandals. She gave another
pair to her daughter, Linda Hendricks, of Des Moines. "I like to have fun in the
summer," Hendricks said. "They're pretty cute, novel, different. I like trendy."
She wears them with sandals or alone. "It's just like a little jewel on the foot," she said.
Their customers are mainly women who have polished toes and
have an eye for fashion, but Baker and Jones continue to brainstorm about potential
markets. They are considering making barefoot sandals with pearls for brides getting
married on the beach. They mention fun character medallions that would appeal
to little girls. "Our next venture might be hair jewelry," Jones said.
***********************************************
As
Seen in the San Diego Union Tribune, October 12, 2004
Barefoot Bride
- Not one to miss an entrepreneurial opportunity, San Diegan Jan Baker sent a pair of her homemade bridal barefoot sandals to the young couple whose British West Indies wedding was planned by NBC "Today" show listeners. (In case you're wondering what a barefoot sandal is, think of a string of pearls, Swarovski crystals and semi-precious gems artistically wrapped around the ankle and anchored by the big toe – no sole, of course.) The bride-to-be let Baker know she liked the innovative sandals but had no say in her wedding wardrobe. All was not lost, however. Baker contacted a wedding Internet site . . . . six of her sole-less shoe designs will be offered on its Web site in February.
**********************************************
AWARDS
August
2004, Jan received a letter from Bead & Button Magazine, saying that she was selected
as a winner of the First Prize consisting of a $500 gift certificate from Fire
Mountain Gems in the Bead & Button 2004 Sweepstakes. The prize was awarded on
behalf of Kalmbach Publishing Company who publishes the magazine. They awarded
5 First Prizes and Jan was one of the five!
Jewels By Jan, Beaded Treasures
1930 NW 82nd Street, Clive, IA, 5032 - (858) 414-4519,
Page
updated 04/28/07 by
http://www.jewels-by-jan.com/aboutus.htm