CINCINNATI (WXIX) – A Tri-State artist is helping empower women with her one-of-a-kind statement jewelry.
Dawn Grady is the owner and artist of Junebug Jewelry Designs in Findlay Market.
Although she opened just a few years ago, Grady has already won awards for her bold pieces.
Each week, Grady adds new, one-of-a-kind pieces to her collection that she made and designed.
Exotic bold statement pieces that she says you won’t find anywhere else.
“I will only sell my statement necklaces in design just one time,” Grady explains. “If you like it and it’s sold and you want something like that, then that challenges me to create your version of that. But it’s going to look a little bit different because I want that woman to own it. I want that to be her piece, that’s her investment because it is art, but it should just be yours. Your story.”
Grady says each necklace, bracelet and earring tells a story and takes shoppers on a journey.
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Her adventure into this business and love of accessories started when she was a little girl.
“I was raised in the era of Dominique Deveraux on Dynasty and things like that,” Grady says. My mother always wore statement necklaces. She always wore cuffs. She always wore cocktail rings in addition to her wedding rings. So, I just always associated that with one of the ways you showcase your power.”
Grady unleashed a new power after she decided to learn the art of making jewelry.
It all started with a jewelry-making class at the University of Cincinnati, which evolved much more once she fell in love with soldering while working with copper, silver and semi-precious gemstones.
Grady says as her love for making jewelry grew, she made the tough choice to step away from her PR job at Cincinnati Public Schools to pursue her small business full-time.
In time, she opened Junebug Jewelry Designs, which she named after her childhood nickname.
“It was super scary at the point at which I decided to step out,” Grady admits. “I was 48, so that’s not the time where you start making those kinds of decisions. It almost felt like I decided I was going to be a rapper at 48 years old. Like how ridiculous does that sound when you leave a really good job.”
She says leaving during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of stress, but she’s happy she followed her intuition.
In the five years she’s been in business, Grady won the 2023 Best in Chic Reader’s Choice Award.
The most rewarding part, Grady says, is watching her clients relish in her unique designs.
“I just want to help women empower their style,” Grady says. “Like walk into a room and own it and be able to tell the world who you are before you ever open your mouth.”
The excitement of Grady’s customized pieces has been traveling by word of mouth. If you can’t make it to her store, you can shop online at June Bug Jewelry Designs.
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