Many Jūra jewelry pieces will include seashells, sea glass, and pearls, but working with one-of-a-kind materials means designs will vary. My hope is that each special Jūra piece will evoke the fluidity, strength, and shining nature of the sea – with or without the presence of specific sea elements.

I am a white U.S. American without the experience of a strong cultural identity or practice to call my own. Many European cultural traditions were traded for the homogenized identity of being broadly white, and I both recognize the racial privileges that come with such a history and also wish for a more personal cultural experience. Because of this, I started to explore my Lithuanian roots and chose to pay homage with the Lithuanian word ‘Jūra.’

I'm Kate! I design and craft each jewelry piece by hand. Check out the ‘about’ section if you’re interested in learning more about me, or check out the rest of my design portfolio.

You may see some structural jewelry shapes and patterns repeat in Jūra’s inventory––such as hanging freshwater pearls and chains from a certain type of shell––but each jewelry piece is individually designed and handmade due to the nature of working with found materials.

A majority of my current supply of shells are from Martha’s Vineyard, where my mom would visit her grandparents in the summer growing up. The others vary in location.

I believe that art and adornment should be accessible to everyone, and I also understand the desire to invest in long-lasting jewelry with a lower possibility of tarnishing. As I continue designing Jūra jewelry, my goal is to offer a range of options that cater to both needs. Some pieces will have a more accessible price point, and others will use finer-quality materials and therefore be priced higher.