We are all about fun! The staff of Bella Joli is full of vibrant, intelligent young women who are dedicated to ensuring that your experience with us is so memorable that you want to come back again and again!

• Manager: Ashley Russell
• Senior Sales Associates:
• Emmy Cone
• Angeline Harpman
• Taylor Hedrick
• Kate Henderson

Educational/Career goal: Bachelors in Marketing Management and eventually my own jewelry store.

Interest in Jewelry Industry: I appreciate the art and fashion behind it. You can take any outfit and make it twice as fabulous when you add great jewelry. Plus jewelry is sentimental; it is a beautiful way to tell someone you care.

Brief History: I've lived in Iowa City for 4 years and have worked at Bella Joli for about two years.

Favorite Style of Jewelry and Gemstone Color: I love all things chocolate or golden! Big funky pieces, odd shapes, and rare gemstones.

Favorite Artist: Peter James

Best Customer Service Experience: When I helped a gentleman pick out an engagement ring and the woman who received it came back to thank me because she loved it so much. (I love to hear people’s stories and I like the challenge to help people find just the right thing.)

Favorite Thing About the Store: Everything!! The fact that you can buy unique things that you cannot find anywhere else.

Zodiac and Birthstone: Sagittarius and Citrine

Favorite Pastime: SHOPPING! Reading and watching movies, hanging out with my friends, family, and I guess my husband too.

Favorite Quote: You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you. -Maya Angelou

Career Goal: Interior Design, I graduate in May! Doing the visual merchandising and display work for Bella Joli has been great practice for my upcoming career!

Interest in Jewelry Industry: I love jewelry and clothes! So it is really neat to see the changing trends in both and how they relate to each other. For example if the hot color in clothing is brown you can bet that the hot color in jewelry is going to be brown as well. Also, I love the visual merchandising I get to do in this industry. I feel I get to use my design skills and that makes me happy!

Brief History: I've lived in Iowa City for about 5 years now and I've been at Bella Joli for 3 of them!

Favorite Style of Jewelry and Gemstone Color: My favorite style of jewelry is elegant, timeless, but still a little funky. I love big pieces. Colors I am drawn to are blue, brown and pearl. Favorite Artist: By far Peter James, it goes perfect with my style timeless yet funky. Also, I really like CRISLU you can never go wrong with a big, sparkly, cocktail ring!!

Best Customer Service Experience: I love when the regulars come in (people we know on a first name basis). They are always so happy to be in the store and the genuinely want to talk to us and are excited to see us. And it is great when we can help someone find the perfect gift for the one they love! (I like to talk to new people and find out where everyone is coming from. Also, it is a great learning experience to gain people skills and I will always need customer service experience in my career.)

Favorite Thing About the Store: I love who I work with. I have made a lot of great friends here. The atmosphere here is awesome!

Zodiac and Birthstone: I am a Gemini and my birthstone is Alexandrite or pearl.

Favorite Pastime: I like to stay home and relax, ride my bike, shopping, and hanging out at my parent’s house in the country!! Oh and planning for my wedding!! YAY me!!

Favorite Quote: “All a girl really needs is a little confidence and a pair of kick ass red shoes!”

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Psychology, Loras College 2006

Interest in Jewelry Industry: Helping people discover jewelry as unique and special as they are.

Brief History: I've lived in Iowa City for just over a year and have worked at Bella Joli for about 4 months.

Favorite Style of Jewelry and Gemstone Color: I am definitely a minimalist when it comes to jewelry. I tailor my pieces to my style which tends to be classic and simplistic.

Favorite Artist: I fell in love with CRISLU immediately because the pieces are absolutely stunning. CRISLU combines quality and style at a realistic price.

Best Customer Service Experience: A young woman and her mother came into the store on a Sunday and explained that the young woman was getting married in three weeks, but had been unable to find that perfect piece of jewelry to compliment her dress for the big day. After discussing several of the artists with her, we came to one line that she instantly fell in love with. Although concerned with the limited time frame, we mixed and matched colors and styles and came up with the perfect necklace for her wedding day. The artist graciously completed the piece in time and woman was beyond excited with the selection. It was amazing to have the opportunity to assist the woman in such an important detail of such an important day. (I love having the opportunity to positively impact someone’s day!)

Favorite Thing About the Store: The cozy atmosphere and my wonderful coworkers!

Zodiac and Birthstone: Pisces, Aquamarine

Favorite Pastime: Anything outdoors! I love being in nature and trying new things! Reading, Traveling, Music, Art, and Exercising.

Favorite Quote: "Break the silence with your smile; Break the barriers with your confidence. This makes everything in life possible!"

Education: Pursuing a Bachelors in Neurobiology and Med school in the future!!

Interest in Jewelry Industry: I love putting different pieces of jewelry with a variety outfits! It is so fun to see the different styles our artists have and how they change throughout the seasons. Bright colors are always so fun and in style, which I love, but you can never go wrong with just a simple strand of fresh water pearls!

Brief History: I have lived in Iowa City for 2 1/2 years.

Favorite Style of Jewelry and Gemstone Color: My favorite style of jewelry is simple and classic, but still making it fun with a variety of bright colors. I love the colors blue, purple, and green. My favorite gemstone is peridot.

Favorite Artist: Linda is my favorite artist in the store by far. I love how she uses crocheted sterling silver in her pieces and incorporates different styles and colors of fresh water pearls with many other gemstones. It’s so fun to wear!

Favorite Thing About the Store: I love the girls I work with! It is always such a fun atmosphere to work in! I also love getting new pieces of jewelry in, because you get to see different varieties and new lines that the artists have developed.

Zodiac and Birthstone: Taurus and Emerald.

Favorite Pastime: I love sports, especially Volleyball and Golf!! I also am a huge movie buff and probably watch movies and TV way too much! I also love hanging out with my friends and family.

Favorite Quote: “A friend is someone who knows the song to your heart, and can sing it back to you when you’ve forgotten the words.”

Education:Bachelors in Marketing with a Minor in Mass Communication

Interest in Jewelry Industry: It is a great way to express your individuality.

Brief History: I have lived in Iowa City for 3 years.

Favorite Style of Jewelry and Gemstone Color: I love big pieces that are artistic and full of color.

Favorite Artist: I love Peter James because his pieces are very artistic and beautiful. They are modern, but with a timeless elegance.

Favorite Thing About the Store: I know it’s really cliché, but I love everything about the store. I love the ladies I work with and I love meeting new people. The fact that the store deals with fashion is just an extra thing to love about it.

Zodiac and Birthstone: I am a Capricorn and my birthstone is Garnet.

Favorite Pastime: I am really obsessed with music and shopping. I like to read, watch movies, and hang out with my buddies.