EMILY P. WHEELER
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY?
I’ve had a passion for jewelry forever - since I was a little girl. There is nothing else you can wear that makes you feel more elegant and glamorous. I think school was a bit of a distraction for me but I rediscovered making jewelry in my late 20s and started my business shortly after. I do not have formal training and was entering the industry late in life so it wasn’t easy. I just put one foot in front of the other.
DID YOU HAVE ANY TYPE OF DESIGN BACKGROUND?
No. My background is technology marketing and PR.
HOW LONG HAS YOUR COMPANY BEEN IN BUSINESS?
I started my business five years ago and launched my first official collection two and a half years ago.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO START YOUR COMPANY?
Once I rediscovered jewelry in my late 20s, it was like something was reignited inside me. I literally couldn’t stop making it and had never felt so passionate about or obsessed with anything. That passion motivated me to start my business on my own and grow it to where it is today.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
I recently moved to Los Angeles from San Francisco. My small manufacturing team is in LA so I moved to be closer to them.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I’m from a suburb of Boston called Weston.
DESCRIBE YOUR JEWELRY
Modern.
WHAT’S THE FIRST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH?
A duo ring by Nicholas Varney.
WHO IS YOUR JEWELRY ICON?
Nicholas Varney, David Webb, Lucifir Vir Honestus, Bibi van der Velden, Bulgari and so many more.
WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL?
A giraffe. I am 6’2”.
DO YOU HAVE A PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY YOU WEAR EVERY DAY AND IF SO, WHY?
My rose gold wide band. I made it to be my wedding band and it’s the only piece of jewelry I don’t take off. I got so many requests for it, I added it to my collection.
DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE
Comfortable.
LAST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU BOUGHT AND LOVED
A Bulgari watch that is basically jewelry. I’ve wanted it forever and finally did it!
THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE GIVEN RECENTLY
I got my husband a new watch for our anniversary. Apparently I am on a big watch kick.
THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE RECEIVED RECENTLY
My best friend in San Francisco made me an incredible photo album filled with photos of us over the years. I just moved to LA so this was especially meaningful. I cried so hard when I got to the page filled with all the selfies we had sent each other over the years.
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH...
Jewelry - duh.
FAVORITE FOOD?
A simple veggie stir fry or a really good sourdough bread.
LEAST FAVORITE FOOD?
Bugs? Although I wish it were more appealing because it’s a very sustainable protein!
WINE OR CHEESE?
Wine.
COFFEE OR TEA?
Coffee.
YOGA OR BOXING?
Pilates.
FAVORITE SEASON?
Fall in New England.
FAVORITE CITY?
Copenhagen.
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?
Jackson, WY where my family lives.
THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?
'Twisted' by Christine and the Queens.
THE LAST CONCERT YOU WENT TO?
Jamie XX.
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Caddyshack or Braveheart.
SUPERPOWER OF CHOICE?
Flying - I dream about it all the time, always have.
SECRET SKILL?
I am excellent at hanging art on walls. My dad is a photographer and taught me at a young age.
MODERN FAMILY CHARACTER?
Jay.
SOCIAL MEDIA OF CHOICE?
Instagram.
FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY?
Afternoon magic hour.
LEAST FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY?
Very early morning - I prefer to sleep through it.
YOU WON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT...
My phone and sunscreen.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL HAPPIEST?
In nature with my dogs.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
In nature with my dogs.
YOUR BIGGEST FEAR
Losing my dogs.
HOW DO YOU PICK YOURSELF UP FROM A LOW DAY?
By going hiking with my dogs. :)
WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPIEST?
A Zuni Fetish necklace with hundreds of tiny stone carved animals on it that my dad got me on a road trip we took to Arizona when I was 12. I cried like a brat when he wouldn’t buy it for me and then he surprised me with it at the Grand Canyon.
WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
My wedding ring because my husband is my rock in every way.
WHAT DOES JOY MEAN TO YOU?
Animals. Animals give me lots of joy. Seeing them in the wild, meeting people’s pets, taking care of them. I am a huge animal lover and have fostered 12 dogs over the last few years.
WHAT DOES CONFIDENCE MEAN TO YOU?
Self-accomplishment and a sense of self-worth give me more confidence than anything else.
WHAT DOES EMPOWERED MEAN TO YOU?
Independence and capability make me feel empowered. I have always felt self-sufficient because that’s how I was raised. I know I could survive and be happy on my own. I don’t get bored with myself.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Skip college and follow your passion instead!