Made on Cape Cod: Jewelry by gg

Jewelry by gg started in 2005 when Gillian Hurrie, who was new to Cape Cod at the time, wanted to find a “hobby to pass the time but that could eventually allow me to work from home” while raising her children.

Hurrie’s mother always said that she loved jewelry—from the age of two, Hurrie wore jewelry “and lots of it.” It was only fitting that she would eventually begin to make her own.

Mostly self-taught, Hurrie’s friend owned a boutique in Boston and she started selling jewelry in her store. After that, Hurrie decided to approach a few stores and galleries on the Cape and began selling locally.

Since then, Hurrie has been the only person who creates, markets and sells her brand. She says it is "a lot of work but so fun and rewarding.”

Jewelry by gg offers hand-crafted jewelry influenced by Hurrie’s own needs in her life as a mother and yoga teacher. Her ultimate goal is "to make you feel unique, empowered and beautiful.”

Hurrie developed three different lines of jewelry that appeal to different people and ages: Modern Vintage, Harmony and Gillian Hurrie Designs.

In her Modern Vintage collection, she incorporates vintage pieces, such as brooches, and upcycles them into rings and necklaces. Gillian also enjoys helping customers use their own vintage pieces, such as family heirlooms or pieces that are broken, and recreating them into a new, wearable piece.

The Harmony collection is “spiritually inspired” and influenced by her yoga background, as well as Eastern philosophy and nature. Hurrie incorporates semi-precious gemstones into these designs, and includes a card with the piece detailing the metaphysical healing properties of the stones used.

Hurrie's favorite stone is Labradorite. She is drawn to the colors, shine and versatility. She also likes “the fact that its healing energies are meant to enhance inner awareness through self-discovery and communication with one’s highest self. It can decrease insecurity, anxiety and stress… and who doesn’t want all that?”

The Gillian Hurrie Designs collection has a classic, versatile and unique jewelry Swarovski Crystal, fire-polished glass beads, freshwater pearls, and links with sterling silver beads and chains of various metals.

According to Jen Villa, owner of the Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis where Hurrie‘s jewelry can be found, Hurrie's jewelry is "popular because it has a great mix of fresh and vintage elements and uses a lot of light and airy colors and designs. She has a great price point and a lot of variety in her pieces.”

Recently Hurrie has also evolved her product line to include items for men. Her signature men’s pieces consist of leather stands that are woven together and are accented by a hammered sterling silver bead.

The line will continue to evolve. Hurrie says she has “too many ideas and not enough time,” and that her “creative flow is always on—a piece can develop in a dream, or a color I see. I draw on just what is floating in my mind and try to then re-create it.”

Much of the growth of Hurrie's business has been through word of mouth and by Hurrie participating in craft fairs. Hurrie’s jewelry is now in eight stores in Massachusetts, and she has hired a sales rep to take expand the line into the other areas in the region.

Jewelry by gg can not only be found at The Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis, but also at Centerville Yogaand Wellness in Centerville, M. Brann in Mashpee, and The Spotted Cod in Sandwich, and online at www.jewelrybygg.com.