Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julia Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Julia, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Developing my confidence and self-worth has been a long and challenging path, shaped by early childhood experiences that left me feeling unworthy and unlovable—a belief perpetuated by patterns I struggled to break in adulthood. While growing up with an alcoholic father, I internalized the belief that I wasn’t enough which was then strengthened in later relationships. Marrying someone who struggled with addiction and infidelity only reinforced the cycle, deepening my belief that I wasn’t truly “worthy” of love.
When I lost my mom at 26 I faced yet another obstacle on my journey to self-acceptance as she had been one of the few voices affirming my worth. In grieving her loss, I realized I had to become that voice for myself. The journey back to myself, as I lovingly like to call it, began when my husband entered rehab. His commitment to recovery opened my eyes to my own need for healing, not from addiction, but from years of low self-worth and codependency. I began attending a 12-step group for spouses of addicts along with individual therapy, both of which helped to start me on the path to reclaiming my true self.
The journey was not easy and my husband struggled to maintain his sobriety which only made it more challenging but I was determined to discover who I was—independent of others’ opinions or validation. Through recovery, I learned to embrace all parts of myself, recognizing that I am wholly worthy of love, just as I am—with both my strengths and my weaknesses. I began to genuinely appreciate my gifts and to accept my imperfections with compassion.
My marriage ended when my recovery surpassed my husband’s, and I recognized that I deserved more than a life shadowed by active addiction. Choosing to leave was difficult, but I knew deep down that better things were waiting for me. The journey back to myself has been incredible, and I’m profoundly grateful for those who supported me along the way.
Today, I am committed to living boldly and authentically—I want to be seen, to be free, and to embrace every part of who I am. These are the words that define me now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My love of jewelry was sparked by my mother. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot, but she always had a few special pieces and I loved going through her jewelry box. Once, during a trip to the mall, I came across an artist selling handmade jewelry in mixed metals like silver, brass, and copper. One piece in particular—a unique butterfly pin made of sterling silver—caught my eye. The artist called it a “mistake” but to me, it was beautiful in its unexpected design. It was that moment I knew that someday I wanted to be an artist selling my creations. I still have that pin, and it represents the beginning of my own journey in jewelry-making. I often wonder where that artist is now and wish I could tell her how much her work inspired me.
My newest and most exciting venture is Stone Road, a brand that brings my creative spirit to life. Creativity has always been my sanctuary—a source of peace and joy—and from this deep-rooted passion Stone Road Jewelry was born. It started years ago as Djazz Designs, a small project to generate extra income for family vacations and holidays. Over time, my love for design grew, and I felt compelled to transform what had become an expensive hobby into a true business.
The brand went through many names, but Stone Road feels like the name I was always meant to find. It reflects my life’s journey and the lessons I’ve gathered along the way. We’re all on our own path to self-discovery, a path paved with stones—some smooth, some rough—each one significant in shaping who we are. Usually the darkest of caves and muddiest of landscapes is where I have found the most precious gems. I’ve learned that the most challenging parts of the journey are often where we experience the greatest growth.
Recently, I’ve expanded my work to include vintage-inspired scarves, each crafted with love on my grandmother’s sewing machine. Many pieces incorporate her own vintage lace, lovingly preserved in her sewing box and now woven into each scarf’s story. The creative process begins with sourcing vintage lace, velvet, and other materials, then carefully hand-dyeing the ribbons to capture the perfect hues. Each scarf is designed with a unique combination of lace, ribbon, and vintage findings, ensuring that no two pieces are alike.
For me, there is something magical about transforming something old into something new and meaningful. Each scarf carries both history and artistry, connecting the past with the present in a way that honors my family legacy. These scarves are more than just accessories—they’re wearable pieces of art that celebrate individuality and bring a touch of nostalgia and elegance to modern style.
Through Stone Road, I hope to create pieces that resonate with others on their own journeys, offering them bold beauty and authentic strength, whether in jewelry or in the timeless elegance of a vintage scarf.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
One of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned is that perfection is a myth. At our core, we’re all imperfectly human, and there’s beauty in that. For years, I chased perfection, believing that if I could somehow be “perfect,” I would be loved and accepted. But that pursuit turned out to be a false promise. True freedom and connection comes from embracing our flaws and vulnerabilities—because that’s what’s real and relatable. I’ve found that happiness and love stem from not taking myself too seriously, accepting my whole self, and recognizing that imperfections are what make us unique.
Authenticity has been a crucial part of my journey. For a long time I wore a mask, fearing that if people saw the real me, they wouldn’t like me. Instead of showing up as myself I would mold into what I thought others wanted, constantly people-pleasing and adapting. It was an exhausting way to live, one that only led to pain and a loss of self.
Learning to truly love myself was the turning point that allowed me to embrace authenticity. I found that being genuine not only brought a sense of peace but also drew the right people into my life. Embracing my true self has been essential in creating work that resonates deeply with others. I hope to inspire others to do the same, and I love that my bold, one-of-a-kind jewelry allows people to express their uniqueness. We are all beautifully and perfectly imperfect, and it’s that uniqueness that makes each of us extraordinary.
Finding purpose was something I had to rediscover after years of devoting myself to raising my children. For so long, they were my purpose, and when they grew up and went off to college, I struggled deeply with the empty nest. It felt as though I were a boat adrift on the open sea, no longer anchored to a familiar harbor. I felt lost, unsure of what to pour my heart into next. Turning my jewelry making hobby into a business has been transformative in giving me a new purpose. Stone Road Jewelry has become not just a creative outlet but a source of connection, expression, and meaning. Designing and crafting each piece has allowed me to channel my energy into something I love, something that brings value to others, and fills my life with renewed direction and joy.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge I’m facing right now is managing my time effectively while balancing a full-time job, running my business, and still trying to carve out a personal life. I work as a home care physical therapist, which is both rewarding and demanding, and my goal is to eventually reduce my hours to part-time so I can focus on Stone Road Jewelry full-time. Being a solo business owner, I handle everything—from designing and making the jewelry to marketing, accounting, and all the day-to-day details that come with running a small business.
Time management is key, so I’m developing systems to help streamline my work processes and focusing on setting clear priorities for each day. I’m also learning the importance of setting boundaries to protect my personal time, even though that can be difficult when there’s always more work to do. Balancing these roles and still having time for friends, family, and personal well-being is a work in progress, but it’s essential for me to maintain both my passion and productivity.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stoneroadjewelry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stoneroadjewelry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092968486358
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