Chatting with “The Jones Market”…

Supporting other handmade makers by sharing them just for fun (read: not sponsored) is something I’ve advocated from the beginning of my time as a blogger. I admire handmade makers’ perseverance and focus, I’m inspired by their creations and vision, and I enjoy sharing their designs! As a personal initiative to get back into this, I’ve invited Candis Jones of The Jones Market to share her wooden jewelry with us. If you don’t love her already, you will by the end of this post as you learn more about WHY she started her business.

Candis Jones, owner of The Jones Market | Pink Cloud layered necklace

On describing your product, shop style, and your design process: Our products are beautiful and functional. Gorgeous jewelry that any woman can wear but has the functionality of being tuggable and non-toxic, so us mamas can wear jewelry again! My design process involves me noticing the world around me and letting it swirl around in me over time and then either drawing out ideas or sitting down on the floor and spreading supplies around me, turning on music and experimenting with the ideas I’m having. It is deeply satisfying and lots of fun.

On sharing a meaningful story that connects a customer with your product: What I have tried to cultivate in our brand is a connection between our colorful, beautiful, functional jewelry and kindness. I see our customers as a sisterhood of women who enjoy not only our product but the personality of The Jones Market. We are real woman who you can be real with. We find joy in the small things and are grateful in all things. These are the type of women that help others blossom. What I hear over and over is that when a woman spots another wearing our jewelry there is a connection right away. There is a sense of, oh yes, this woman is one who loves other women.

On sharing your very favorite product in your shop: This is the hardest one to answer! I honestly cannot choose. I love everything we carry equally, like my children — HAHA!

On sharing what inspired you to open your shop: The honest answer is desperation. I was a stay at home mom and my husband was a teacher, and we didn’t have enough to make ends meet. We were having to use credit cards to buy groceries and a car seat and a new furnace. We were going into substantial debt fast and I had to find a way to provide, but I wasn’t willing to give up being home with my son. I made a necklace for a friend for Christmas and she loved it. We quickly found out other women and babies loved it, too. This sparked the idea that is now The Jones Market. We have paid off all those credit card bills, have an amazing employee and solely provide for my family today.

Almond Gray memento bracelet | similar necklace, Almond + Sea Mint

On sharing what motivates you to keep going, and how you practice self-care: I have a strong creative drive. If I’m not creating something I have found that my energy and optimism start to wane. I love connecting with and helping people, and this works give me the privilege of being creative and connecting and helping. The biggest driving factor are my kids and my husband. Providing for them gives me courage and strength in places I didn’t know I had. For years, after The Jones Market started growing rapidly, I honestly could not self-care. Self-care was making sure I got at least one meal a day and slept a few hours. I was working nights and weekends and taking care of my children every other minute. We grew to a point where my husband could quit his job and takeover the stay-at-home parent position in our family and now I’m able to work daytime hours. Instead of working through the night, I read, go out with friends, paint my nails, write, watch movies, do something creative that has nothing to do with The Jones Market.

Candis Jones is the owner and artist behind The Jones Market. With the help of an assistant, Candis has been producing her line of handmade goods in Ohio since 2011. You can follow her creative journey on Instagram (@thejonesmarket) or by visiting her handmade shop.

PS. Thanks for supporting the shops I love to support! This is not a sponsored post :)

PPS. Two of my favorite items to wear from The Jones Market: this tassel necklace and this “I am mom” tee. I’m obsessed!

Do you own a Jones Market necklace? Or maybe you’re like me and you own multiple necklaces? What handmade shop is on your list of favorites? I’d LOVE to know!