Jewelry inspired by the Jersey Shore

In 2010, Katie Marsala decided to try something new: design jewelry. She drew inspiration from the Jersey Shore, her favorite place on earth.

The result: the Jersey Shore Bracelet Company, though now her designs have expanded to include rings and necklaces too.

With Mother’s Day coming up, I asked Marsala a few questions about one possible gift idea for any Jersey Shore loving mom.

JAM: When did you come up with the Jersey Shore Bracelet idea?

KM: After I was in my cousin’s wedding on Cape Cod. The bridesmaids were given beautiful Cape Cod Dennis bracelets. I started researching which beach areas and islands have their own line of jewelry and learned that my own home, the Jersey Shore, doesn’t have their own line. I have such a love and pride of growing up in New Jersey with my summers at the shore that I wanted to create a beautiful piece of jewelry that represented our love of the sand and surf.

JAM: How would you describe the pattern as relating to the Jersey Shore?

KM: All of the Jersey Shore Bracelet jewelry has the trademark crosshatching pattern engraved in it.  The crosshatch represents the pattern in the sand after a strong Atlantic Storm.

JAM: When did you add the starfish ring? Or was that at the same time?

KM: Jersey Shore Bracelet, also known as JSB, was first launched in November of 2011 with the cuff styled bracelet. Memorial Day Weekend 2011, we unveiled the JSB Starfish ring at the Scott and Todd Summer Blast Off event (95.5 FM, WPLJ) at Jenkinson’s in Point Pleasant Beach.

JAM: When did the necklace come onto the site?

KM: We released the JSB bead for Valentine’s Day 2012.  It is a versatile bead that fits onto Pandora, Troll bead type charm bracelets and can be worn on a necklace. The crosshatch pattern, size, and weight of this bead really makes it a stunner on charm bracelets.

JAM: What do you do besides designing shore jewelry?

KM: I am a Pediatric Physical Therapist. JSB is my part-time job, passion, and hobby. My husband and I work together to respond to emails and orders promptly.

JAM: Are you planning on adding any items this year?

KM: At this point, we do not have a plan to release a new piece this year. We feel that we have a nice variety with cuff bracelets, charm bracelets, the starfish ring and necklace charm. Our hope in 2012 is to focus on expanding our public relations along the whole New Jersey coastline while assisting with fundraising for our favorite organizations, Covenant House and Childrens Specialized Hospital.

JAM:  What is your hope for the Jersey Shore Bracelet Company?

KM: For many of us, some of our favorite special moments, memories of growing up, good times with our family and friends, happened down the shore. We hope to capture people’s memories and love of the Jersey Shore through our keepsake jewelry. Over the past year and a half, we have received so many amazing emails of people buying a JSB for friend’s birthdays, bridesmaids, a recently widowed girlfriend, a mother going through cancer treatments. We are happy to welcome each of these people into the JSB family. Some people send pictures of their JSB around the world, which are showcased on our website.

JAM: And I have to ask — what is your favorite shore town and why?

KM: Easy answer: Point Pleasant Beach. I grew up during the summer at my grandmother’s house, a small cottage just off the boardwalk where sand was always in your bed, the salt air helped you to sleep and ice cream was always plentiful. Those memories of playing in the sand with my cousins and running a lemonade stand on the boardwalk are irreplaceable. The Jersey Shore lured my husband, born and raised in Long Island, to move to PPB. Many mornings when I put on my JSB, I smile and think of my Grandma in her rocking chair at the beach, my cousins’ laughter, and the sounds of waves crashing. Those memories inspired me to create the Jersey Shore Bracelet Company with the hope that those in our JSB family have similar memories.