Why Custom Jewelry Still Matters

This March marks eighteen years since I founded Vana Chupp Studio. When I look back, it still surprises me how it all began—not with a business plan, but with a pencil and a quiet moment, tracing my firstborn son’s ever-changing baby profile. Those early silhouettes were simply my way of holding on to a fleeting season of motherhood. I never imagined they would grow into a life’s work.

Over the years, that small, personal ritual has evolved into something much bigger. Today, I have the honor of creating jewelry for people around the world who want to preserve their own stories—pieces that mark milestones, celebrate loved ones, and carry meaning beyond the moment. Whether someone first finds us through a classic silhouette or comes to us to reimagine family stones into something new, the trust they place in our hands is something I carry with much respect.

There have been incredible highlights along the way—partnerships with brands like Pottery Barn Kids, Frontgate, and Target, and moments of recognition that once felt far beyond reach. But what has mattered most, and always will, are the relationships. The women and families who return year after year, who invite me into their lives at meaningful moments, who wear their stories close to their hearts.

For the past eleven years, Richmond has been home. This city has shaped me just as much as it has shaped my business. Many of my clients here have become dear friends, and I feel endlessly grateful for the warmth, creativity, and sense of community that defines this place.

Opening our new showroom on Patterson Avenue feels like a reflection of that journey. It’s a space designed for conversation, for imagining, for slowing down and creating together. It represents who we’ve become and the kind of work we want to continue doing—thoughtful, personal, and rooted in connection.

As we celebrate eighteen years, gratitude is the word that keeps coming back to me. Thank you to everyone who has trusted us with your stories, whether you placed your first order years ago or are still dreaming up what’s next. Your support, loyalty, and belief in our work have made this journey possible.

Eighteen years in, I’m reminded that the most meaningful things are built slowly, with care and intention. I feel incredibly lucky to continue this work—and to do it alongside such a remarkable community.

With gratitude,
Vana