About Us

The Story of Eye of JA 

In the summer of 2011, Janna Appelstein took up two separate hobbies: making beaded bracelets and rings and cutting up old t-shirts to change their silhouettes. She had a vision for a piece that combined draping fabrics and beaded elements, but what she had imagined in her mind did not exist; therefore, she ultimately ended upcreating it herself. Once the first piece had been created, she posted it online and immediately received considerable positive feedback. It was just the push she needed to create Eye of JA and bring her visions to life.

In a way, Janna was born to create Eye of JA. From an early age she proved adept at expressing herself creatively, whether it was through dance, choreography, writing and illustrating or even creating scripts for shows she would later perform. That her array of talents eventually morphed into jewelry is unsurprising, and she loves that each day of being the face behind Eye of JA is different. One day she might be in the city to buy materials, another day she will be overseeing a photo shoot for her newest designs or being interviewed for a blog or magazine article. But, Janna finds the most joy and fulfillment in the process that goes into finding inspiration for her myriad of jewelry pieces.

The name Eye of JA is a direct reference to the Eye of Ra, a nickname for Sekhmet, the lion-headded Goddess of ancient Egypt, and the daughter of Ra. Sekhmet was a powerful goddess who struggled balancing her destructive and creative powers. Janna feels that her story reflects the human experience, and is inspired by the strength of her loyalty and the raw female power she possesses. 

As Eye of JA continues to grow, Janna is looking towards the future. "I know that as long as I don't lose sight of my goals, I won't stop moving forward."