Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Holland.
Hi Jane, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was that kid that loved doing anything artistic and creative. A total daydreamer, I envisioned my future being surrounded by beautiful things, creating, writing, and immersing into a meaningful cause. My first layer of the “jewelry industry” was going to local bead shops, gathering pieces, and hand-making jewelry. I remember sitting in the center of a room with a floor covered in supplies, quietly making pieces for hours. I had the creative vision but not necessarily the business acumen to make this a real thing, so it fizzled. Fast forward to the present day – now working in Estate sales; life’s twists and turns taking me in a completely different direction (or so it seemed). After one particular sale ended, a collection of vintage jewelry remained. So my husband and I made a deal with the owner, purchased the collection, and I began to build my brand, Seventh House.
The meaning of Seventh House comes from astrology – the seventh house being the house of Relationships. When we gift jewelry, it usually signifies a strong relationship with that person. When we self-gift, it represents a positive relationship with ourselves. The name Seventh House is a symbol for those meaningful relationships since every piece is one of a kind.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Is it ever a smooth road? I think the hardest part of businesses today is that it’s usually one person doing 100 jobs. For Seventh House, I’m running all aspects, including: sourcing, branding, photography & editing, graphic design, managing website listings, packing & shipping all orders, social media management, research & development, SEO & data analytics-and more – on multiple channels.
But, funny enough, I realized doing all the work wasn’t the hardest part: It was believing in myself. Believing in myself despite a “saturated” market, despite many people doing exactly what I am doing, despite feeling like I’m way behind in everything I have to learn. So every time I doubted myself, I told myself one thing: even though there are many people doing what I’m doing, there is only one ME. Nobody else can do “exactly” what I am doing or give the way I am giving.
I slowly learned that the more of myself I bring to my business, the more it stands out and materializes from a dream into reality. The more I believed, the more it became real.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Seventh House is a small jewelry business with hand-selected antique, vintage, estate and designer collections. 7H focuses on showcasing vintage jewelry in a contemporary light, incorporating casual glam and low-profile luxe. A spin on the tradition of passing down jewelry but in a modern way, honoring traditions while also mixing them up and bringing charm to everyday life.
The way I wear jewelry is my guide for how I run my business. If I really love a piece and am tempted to keep it, it’s a sign I need to feature it. Because if I love it, so will someone else. The messages I get about how much someone LOVES their new piece encourage me to keep doing that.
Also, I couldn’t be the only person worried about clasps coming loose or losing something. Which is why I pay special ocd-attention to quality craftsmanship for those unfussy pieces that you can wear all day and not worry about.
Brand-wise, who doesn’t love getting new things? This is why I pay special attention to packaging and cleaning pieces. I’ll check all the diamonds and clasps to make sure nothing is coming loose, and even take it to a jeweler to freshen it up. So even though you’re getting something old, it feels like new!
One of my favorite aspects of 7H is having a strong community. Sometimes, when clients let me know what they want, it’s likely I already have what they’re looking for or I know where to find it. The fact that clients can reach out to me directly for what they are looking for means I source with them in mind. I start to build a mental map of their style and know which pieces to go for next. It feels a lot like when you’re shopping and see something that reminds you of a friend.
What matters most to you?
The story. It’s all about the story. The story is the connective tissue between a person and their jewelry. And the best part is that I am sandwiched between where a piece came from and where it will go. I get to hear about a bride who wants to look distinctive and timeless for their wedding day, or the person wanting to add soft glam to their everyday look, or those looking for a gift that literally drips that person’s personality,
Aside from the personal story of pieces, I research the era of pieces and retell history through them. What matters most to me is wanting to preserve old history while honoring the present. I tailor 7H towards what I believe is valuable today: unfussy elegance, one-of-a-kind pieces you can’t downplay, and impeccable craftsmanship.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @s.e.v.e.n.t.h.h.o.u.s.e
- Facebook: in progress
- Other: etsy.com/shop/seventhhousevintage
