Daily Inspiration: Meet Claudia Endler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Endler.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My passion for beauty, art, and design naturally led me to the world of fashion—and eventually, to my deep love for jewelry. Even as a young girl, I was mesmerized by the sparkle in jewelry store windows and could spend hours admiring the displays. So, when I had the opportunity to work as a sales rep in the fashion industry, I didn’t hesitate. I was especially inspired by the creativity of independent designers, many of whom had made bold career shifts from unrelated fields to pursue their artistic visions. It was an exciting time—more and more women were stepping out of corporate confines to create their own showrooms and businesses. My own mother was one of them. She launched a bookkeeping business that she ran successfully until she retired, showing me what was possible through perseverance and independence.

Eventually, I experienced burnout in the fashion world. I thought about launching my own showroom, but something still felt lacking. Around that time, I was offered a job working on an AIDS research project at UCLA. That experience changed me. The compassion and sense of purpose in that environment were profound. Reading the stories of those battling the epidemic was deeply moving—their determination to keep living despite unimaginable challenges was unforgettable. That period helped me reconnect with my humanity. It also coincided with a major personal transition, as I left an unhealthy marriage and began forging a new path forward on my own.

As I navigated this new chapter, I explored different classes to discover a potential new direction. It was during a jewelry-making course that I felt an instant connection—I knew I had found something special. The question was: how would I turn this newfound love into a viable career? I spent years honing my skills while holding down full-time work. My dining room table served as my first jewelry bench, and I practiced wax carving over and over until I could produce the quality I envisioned.
Jewelry, I realized, is far more than adornment. As humans, we attach meaning to the objects we wear. When I transformed my old engagement ring into a pendant, it became a symbol of personal growth and empowerment. That experience sparked a new purpose: helping others do the same. I began redesigning jewelry for clients using their own heirlooms and gemstones, listening to their stories, and crafting pieces that represented their journeys and identities. The clean lines of my design aesthetic are a good match for illuminating each element.

For a long time, I balanced two jobs while slowly building up a portfolio. I showed my work at career fairs, gained experience with a retail jewelry designer, and got involved in industry networking. Brick by brick—one ring, one client at a time—I built Claudia Endler Designs. I’ve come to see the process of building a business as just as creative and personal as designing the jewelry itself. Both are extensions of who I am.
What continues to inspire me most is the connection I share with my clients. I love creating pieces that carry deep personal meaning, reflecting both their stories and my own evolving perspective. Working by appointment from my studio loft at the Brewery Arts Complex allows me to stay true to that vision—combining intimacy, creativity, and authenticity in everything I do.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The challenge is when something is not working providing an opportunity to learn and try new things. Sometimes time or money is the challenge and sometimes I get in my own way by overthinking things.
Starting out I tried to follow a path that others had laid gone down before me in the form of business models and typical business plans for the jewelry industry. In my naive mind, as a new jewelry designer, I was surprised at the beginning that brick and mortar establishments wanted the work on consignment. I worked another job in order to generate the funds to produce enough work to put my work on consignment.

Over the years I’ve sold through retailers, galleries, shows, pop up boutiques, online platforms, networking organizations, art as well as craft shows. Each of them has its pros and cons. I had to figure out what was a good fit for me. I realized a good fit for me was a combination of working closely with a few exceptional galleries and shows that put me directly in front of the client. When the economy took a downturn, I developed a line of jewelry in silver that has a more approachable price point in silver which is still sold on Artfulhome.com.

Letting go of what I thought I should be, and embracing who and what I was good at took me a while. I redefined what success is for me on my own terms and strategically set up the way I work as a reflection of that.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My jewelry designs are contemporary, minimalist, and refined, often incorporating architectural elements. I tend to emphasize form and silhouette rather than focusing solely on the size of the central stone. I love using a sandpaper finish on the metal—it brings out the richness of its color and makes the gemstones stand out. I’m always experimenting with contrast—mixing glossy and matte textures, pairing round with angular forms. Clean lines highlight every nuance, from the way a band curves to how a bezel tapers, so getting the proportions just right is essential. To me, this mirrors life—small adjustments can have a big impact. Creating something that appears simple actually takes a lot of intention, time, and precision, because there’s no room to hide flaws.

I work with a range of precious materials, including both lab-created diamonds and natural gemstones like sapphires, as well as more unconventional stones such as pyrite with slate or meteorite that have unique colors and shapes.

One of the things I’ve truly grown passionate about is the personalized design experience I’ve developed with my clients. I guide them through a creative journey, asking meaningful questions along the way. Some people are looking for a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, while others want it to represent something deeply personal. I call these pieces “commitment jewelry”—they can symbolize a relationship, personal growth, or a dream. I often engrave a meaningful word or phrase inside the piece, and for those who are interested, I offer a custom intention-setting ceremony to go along with it.

Though my work has appeared on red carpets and received design accolades, what means the most to me is that I’ve successfully run my boutique jewelry studio for nearly three decades. It’s proof that following your passion can truly lead to a dream fulfilled.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I was very lucky at the beginning when I joined the Women’s Jewelry Association and also the Jewelry Professionals Network, along with other professional jewelry organizations. There people along the way that mentored me or gave me advice in different areas of expertise. Especially other women who advised on design, how to render jewelry by hand, on best business practice and on pricing, etc. I asked questions but made sure I did not overburden any one person. It is a touchy subject to ask about money issues as people tend to be private about that. I was always grateful and showed appreciation either by a card, flowers, or taking someone to lunch. Keeping in touch and forming relationships along the way. I also do the same for others when it is a good fit.

Pricing:

• Silver Collections start at $165 to $750
• Gold Collections start at $1500 and up
• One of a kind custom projects are dependent on the scale of the project/materials and generally start at $5000 and up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.claudiaendler.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiaendler_designs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaEndlerDesigns/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiaendler/
• Other: https://www.artfulhome.com/artist/Claudia-Endler-Designs/8313