Kolton J

Delicate yet bold, Kolton J's pieces are a must have in any jewelry box.

The Art of Travel Jewelry from Kolton J

Kolton J founder Jenny Schretter was once destined for a career on Wall Street But while living in New York City, she instead found herself entranced by the gorgeous jewelry in SoHo that artisans created for audiences in threadbare street stalls.

Schretter was soon doling out suggestions on stones and settings and then realized she’d rather try it herself. Before long, Schretter was spending much of her free time on her newfound hobby, teaching herself how to bead and wire jewelry.

The ambitious Washingtonian soon melded vintage components into dazzling statement pieces and eventually left her career on Wall Street to pursue her true passion. “I love the creative process of designing, seeing the beauty of the end result, and witnessing how people feel when they wear the jewelry,” Schretter says.

But more than her love of jewelry is her love of travel.  Her global journeys satisfied both her wanderlust and her need for unique inspirations for her new jewelry line. Europe’s history left Schretter sketching her way through quaint towns and cities, which eventually became the stylistic ideas for her first spring line.

Immersing herself into the culture of each province and town, Schretter discovered how to unleash her creativity. In Turkey she uncovered antique pieces in vibrant coral colors; in Rome, lavender flowers drew her to the light-hued color. Greece, with seaside palette of whites and blues, provided yet another inspirational aesthetic.  Indeed, Schretter’s extensive travel shines clearly in many of Kolton J’s pieces.

“I'm very inspired by my travels and seeing how self-expression translates across cultures,” Schretter says. “One of my favorite activities when traveling is to visit the local antique shops and markets.”

No two of Kolton J’s pieces are the same. The work is a result of Schretter’s hours spent at estate sales and antique stores. Each rock and rhinestone has a story to tell, and each piece offers a glimpse into the elements of travel and culture Schretter brings to her work.