When I was around 8, I spotted a jewelry/beading kit while shopping with my mom at a Chicago neighborhood dime store (remember those?).
After a little theatrics (mostly mine), my mom broke down and bought it for me.
I guess she decided that it wasn’t such a bad idea, maybe it would keep summer's idle hands busy for awhile.
All these years later, I would say that it certainly did. That kit sparked a passion in me for creating jewelry until this very day.


After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Comprehensive Design (incorporating fine art and graphic design) from the University of Illinois,
I started a graphic design business in Chicago. My spare time, however, was devoted to designing jewelry.
I participated in shows and art fairs throughout Chicago for many years, and sold my jewelry to several boutiques throughout the Midwest.
Although I considered graphic design my primary business, to my surprise it was designing
and creating jewelry that was not only keeping me busy and making me happy, but it was also producing a pretty nice income.


In 1991 my husband and I (and our faithful cat Chopper) moved to Las Vegas where I continued my career in graphic design.
In 1995 I was hired as a designer/illustrator for a mail-order catalog, but before long, my jewelry was also featured in the catalog, and doing pretty well.
I decided to let fate dictate the course of my career...it always came back to jewelry.


Today, designing and creating jewelry has become the focus of my business. Whether it’s a production piece for a mail-order catalog,
a custom piece for a client, or my internet shop, each work is individually hand-created
with the greatest care, using the finest materials available, and offering the best quality and craftsmanship possible.


I feel blessed each and every day to be able to say I am going to work doing what I truly love.
We have since moved back to Chicago where I have continued my business in jewelry design and production.


My Inspiration: Mixing old and new is a wonderful concept in designing jewelry. I love to finish a piece with a great old clasp or mix vintage beads with contemporary stones.
I have always loved vintage jewelry and draw inpiration for my own designs from it.
The hand-crafting and the meticulous attention to detail in vintage jewelry is what I strive for in creating my own line of “wearable art”.


If you see anything that you love and would like to purchase it, please do so knowing that I stand behind every piece of work that is produced by OLENA DESIGNS.
Quality in craftsmanship is my main objective. Making my client happy with a purchase is my goal in producing it!


So, step inside and browse through the galleries. WELCOME & ENJOY!

THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OLENA DESIGNS

           

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us