Meet Hannah, Summer '21 Jewlery Ambassador!

Meet Hannah, Summer '21 Jewlery Ambassador!

Back in 2012, I was an 18-year-old senior in high school and lifelong jewelry addict dragging her mother to Beth Millner Jewelry’s grand opening. I don’t recall why or how we ended up outside the shop, but when I see the word “jewelry,” I am a moth fluttering to the bright light.

When I opened the door and peered inside the display cases--in what was once a single showroom--it became love at first sight. Beth’s work felt like an encapsulation of myself, from the nature inspired designs, to the sustainable production and practices of the business--I knew I needed to own a piece of her work.   

Meet Hannah, Summer

On the beach of Lake Superior with some of my favorite jewelry.

 

I hemmed and hawed over whether I should invest all the money I had earned working at Quiznos, but my mom was the voice of reason hanging over my shoulder reminding me that next fall I would be off to college—a.k.a. broke. I walked out empty handed that day, but wouldn’t stop rambling about when I’d be back to make a purchase.

Fast forward to today, and not only have I purchased pieces from Beth over the years, but I have been fortunate enough to have worked for Beth, and now get to take part in being a BMJ Ambassador this summer. I wonder what 18-year-old Hannah would think… 

Meet Hannah, Summer

Modeling the Pictured Rocks pendant while hiking at Pictured Rocks in Munising, MI.

 

I became a Yooper transplant and Marquette resident when I was 13-years-old. After graduating from Marquette Senior High School, I went on to attend Michigan State University and received my B.A. in Professional Writing. Post-grad, I had a rough go of trying to find a career fit, and it feels as though I have worked every type of job under the sun. Many of the jobs in my degree field were ones that required me to relocate to big cities--NYC, LA, Chicago, etc.,--something my college freshman self did not consider. The idea of living in a concrete jungle made my stomach turn, especially when I was the type who lived for driving down 550 and seeing my phone say, “no service.” 

For years I took jobs that I could to keep me local, until finally, living in my hometown no longer felt financially sustainable--and then the pandemic hit. I had four different employers in 2020 alone, had moved to California and back, used up all my savings… I don’t have to tell anyone, we all know it was a hard, and terrifying year for most. However, a silver lining did emerge from the pandemic--work from home becoming the new norm. 

Now, I am lucky enough to have a job where I can WFH. About a year ago, I was devastated and heartbroken that I had to tell the BMJ team I couldn’t return as a staff member to a job I adored, and was planning out my relocation to a city I didn’t want to reside in. Today, I get to write this blog as an ambassador for BMJ, and I get to stay in the town that has my heart. 

Meet Hannah, Summer

Wearing my Lake Superior pendant, happy to be home!

 

Beth’s work and business practices have always been something I admire greatly. Now more than ever, I appreciate how her designs resonate the feeling of home, comfort, and peace for me. As I wear my Pictured Rocks pendant and catch a glimpse in a passing reflection, I smile knowing I am at home, and I get to stay right here. I get the opportunity to make an impact on my community, and give back to the place I love, just as Beth does every chance she gets. I walked into that Beth Millner Grand Opening in 2012 just wanting to buy some new jewelry, not knowing that almost 10 years later, I’d acquire a lot more than just beautiful pieces of wearable art.

Meet Hannah, Summer
Just a few of the rings I've collected from Beth Millner Jewelry.