Story
I love getting to know people and hearing what brought them somewhere. That's why I read other designers' stories when I visit their websites — and why I share mine here.
To be honest, making jewellery was never the plan. I studied cosmetology and dreamt about a career in cosmetic management.
Throughout my studies, I worked in gastronomy, hospitality and spent weekends travelling Poland to attend electronic music events and festivals. After graduating, I startee working as a beauty consultant. Because a professional makeup artist — and worked for almost a decade across fashion, film, and photography. I loved the work, but it was exhausting and I finished my career with a burn out.
I took a break and felt I still wanted to learn. By that time, the cosmetic management was a distant unwanted dream. Continuing my consultant path, I discovered Service Design - working with people to create new services soundes like a new dream. Started full time course and immersed myself into the world of ux and design thinking. It gave me a new direction — this time I moved to Sweden, where I hoped to build a career as a Service Designer.
Well, that didn't happen. After two years of trying to land a full time job, working whatever jobs I could get, attending tech conferences and meetups, I got burned out again and went to therapy for the first time. I started slowly questioning, what I actually want.
Then 2020 hit and everything stopped. Looking for something to restore my creativity, I applied to Hyper Island Stockholm — and got in. It felt like a real fresh start. Unfortunately what should normally be a hands-on, in-person collaboration sessions turned into eight hours a day in front of a screen. By that point, I had been disappointed enough times that I was running low. Again.
I tried what I could: continued therapy, started yoga, tried mindfullness and meditation. They helped. But I needed something physical, something made with my hands.
One evening, I was scrolling and came across a photo of a stone necklace I have never seen before. My first thought was: I could make that. That surprised me and it was a bit random but also felt right.
So I bought materials and started experimenting. Then I made more. And more. Then first people started asking me — if I want to sell some.
After graduating at Hyper Island and finishing an internship that led nowhere, 2022 brought another horror — the war in Ukraine, an economic downturn, and more uncertainty.
That's when I decided: now or never. I registered Stones and Stuff Stockholm.
When I look back, it all makes sense. Jewellery is connection of everything I did in my life. As a kid I loved stones and crystals — dragged along to mineral fairs by my parents, captivated by their colours, textures, and the way they caught the light.
I worked though fashion and sales, It development and studied service design and content.
Jewellery gave me what a conventional career couldn't: freedom in creativity, creating with my hands and something that is hard to describe: a wild satisfaction from making it on my own. It became my greatest passion and best work in my life.
I want the brand to be yours and mine - because it's shaped by anyone being part of it.
That's reflected in how I run it:
• Every piece is named after the first person who bought it.
• Custom orders are always available, made specifically for you.
• I repair, remake, and upcycle old jewellery — giving forgotten materials a second life. Read about the services I offer.
… And your ideas and feedback are always welcome.
Thank you for being here.
Julia
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