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This Gem of a Jewelry Designer is Ready to Explode

Shelly Mantler's jewelry attracts attention. That might be because each one-of-a-kind piece in her line, shel. jewelry, is custom designed, and no two look exactly the same. "If one of my clients wants an exact replica of something I've made, then I would aim to create a piece with a similar design and materials, but I would not make them identical," says Mantler. "Sometimes it's nearly impossible to even find the exact same materials."

The San Diego-based designer, a self-taught artist and jewelry maker, grew up in Dallas and attended Texas Tech where she earned a degree in interior design. "Designing someone's home is a very personal and creative experience," she says. "I take the same approach when designing jewelry. I'm always honest with my clients. I use my own discretion while informing them along the way."

Mantler discovered her talent for jewelry-making in a store window one day. "I saw these earrings in a display one day and I went home and replicated them myself," she says. "Those were my first pair of earrings."

From creation to distribution, a hands-on approach applies to all aspects of shel. jewelry. "I don't distribute to boutiques," Mantler says, "because I want to actually be there to help customers try on the piece and show them how to wear it if I've envisioned it to hang a certain way." Instead, all jewelry is sold through her online gallery.

Mantler's pieces can be described as timeless, super-sexy and versatile. This is due to her use of proportion and materials, such as smoky topaz. "I don't make trendy pieces," she says. "Most of my jewelry can be worn with jeans, an evening dress or even a bikini."

A shel. piece may be comprised of materials ranging from the beaches of a foreign country to a local bead shop. "Traveling allows me to discover new materials which inspires me to create new pieces," Mantler says. Each piece is handmade - even down to the intricate tying process.
How does the designer know when her jewelry has gone from a work in progress to a finished product? "I try on what I'm making and look in a mirror," she says. "When I realize that I've added too much, I'll edit it back and that's when I know."

shel. jewelry is growing increasingly popular thanks to its extensive grassroots campaign. Mantler cultivates relationships with her clients through private parties, trunk shows and word-of-mouth. "I like to host parties where women can try on my jewelry with me there to help. I also like to answer questions over wine and hors d'oeuvres."

Mantler would also like to host events where her jewelry serves as a platform to raise funding for animal rights causes. As an advocate of animal rights, she donates a portion of her sales to the Humane Society, in addition to groups that lobby against factory farming.

Custom rings and a bridal collection may be in the works for shel. jewelry. Like many artists, living the creative process is all part of the big picture for Mantler. "I would love to go live somewhere off the coast of Italy for a year and just make jewelry," she says. "Then I would come back and have a huge release party."

Search for unique baubles at www.shelmade.com

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