Jennie Bowman Designs of Hummelstown
A simple gift led to the creation of an entire line of hand-made jewelry, according to Jennie Bowman. “One day my husband brought me a laser-cut snowflake, and that sparked my creativity,” says the Hummelstown resident and mother of two children, aged five and seven.
Bowman, who spent a decade working in pharmaceutical sales, had a strong desire to be a stay-at-home mother. “I wanted to be at home and help them when they were younger, and I also needed a little something for myself, so when they went to bed, I would unleash that creativity and unwind,” says Bowman.
What emerged from that creativity is a collection of hand-made wearable works of art, ranging from earrings to necklaces, which she sells under the name @JennieBowmanDesigns.
A Background in Art and Design
The old-school phrase that she “comes by it honestly” applies when it comes to Bowman’s talent. She attributes some of it to her grandmother, whom she describes as artistic, so it’s not beyond the pale that they both share the same gene when it comes to creativity. And although Bowman’s practical side led her to pursue a business major at Millersville University, she enrolled in art classes on the side. Her skills earned her a scholarship to the Peters Valley School of Craft in Layton, New Jersey, where she honed her talents in the summer jewelry program. “I was selected by the professor of Fine Art Metals at Millersville University,” explains Bowman.
The Process
Bowman’s pieces are crafted of wood and often inspired by nature. “We use sheets of birch wood sourced from local lumber suppliers, and I like the looks of vines, leaves and flowers like zinnias,” says Bowman. She starts with a sketch, then passes it to her husband Ben, who also studied at Millersville University and learned to use AutoCAD as a student in the Industry and Design program. Ben uses the program to input the designs into the computer, and, with the help of a Glowforge laser cutter, Jennie Bowman’s lightweight jewelry is transformed from concept to reality. Bowman, who paints and stains her designs, says that Ecopoxy is a new favorite for adding a pop of color. “It’s safe, non-toxic, and made with plants,” she says.
Found Online and in Boutiques
At first, Bowman made jewelry for friends and family. “They encouraged me to sell to some local boutiques, and it took off from there,” says Bowman, who took the shoe-leather route to gain entrance into boutiques by knocking on doors. Her jewelry can now be found at the MarketPlace Hershey, Three Little Birds Boutiques in Hershey and Mechanicsburg, the Mount Gretna Brewery, The Mustard Seed Boutique in Lititz, and Knock Knock Boutique in Elizabethtown. This year, Bowman decided to take the business one step further by selling her jewelry on Etsy at JennieBowmanDesigns. Her creations range in price from $15 to $50.
Bowman is also active in the local art community. “I do a lot of craft shows in maker’s markets,” she says, mentioning a few that are upcoming, including Creatively Lancaster, which will be held at the Park City Mall on October 12, and the Hershey Hummelstown Art Studio Tour, where she will be showing her work on October 26 and 27.
Barb Rosensteel of Hershey is a satisfied customer. “She is one of the moms that I met through the Derry Preschool, which I run,” says Rosensteel. “Her designs are timeless. I’m 60, and my daughters are in their 30s, and we can all wear her jewelry.” Rosensteel also likes that the pieces are lightweight. “You barely know they’re on, and she keeps changing the colors and cuts, and you can go to her and request customized pieces,” says Rosensteel. Those who have seen Bowman’s designs in boutiques may want to return as the seasons change. “Every season we make a new batch,” says Bowman.
Giving Back
Another thing Rosensteel says she appreciates about Bowman is her willingness to give back to her community. For every pair of earrings Bowman sells, she donates a pair to a worthy cause. “We’ve donated 115 pairs so far to the Wig Room at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and the Breast Cancer Coalition in Lebanon,” says Bowman.
Bowman says that her business has grown quite a bit in a short amount of time, and she can’t wait to see what the future holds. “I love the creative side of it and the freedom of owning my own business while staying at home. And now, even the kids are helping.”
Portrait of Jennie by: Christy Walker Photography
All other photos courtesy: Jennie Bowman
