The Artist

Jill and her daughter, Isaly, savoring the
delights of Greece!

Jill Judd

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jill Judd moved to Wyoming with her family when she was 15 years of age. She instantly fell in love with “the west” and has made it her home since. She now resides in the very small town of Dubois, Wyoming in what is known as the “Valley of the Warm Winds” . Her home and tiny work studio are nestled among tall cottonwoods near the meandering Wind River. A tribute to her beloved lifestyle, Jill’s inspiration comes from her study of the elemental, yet incredibly intricate, details of the natural world amidst which she lives.

From a young age, Jill has always found great enjoyment and solace from “using her hands”. The frenetic pace of everyday life, which has included the parenting of three children (which she proudly considers her greatest achievement), working, owning a business, and much civic involvement often left little time for her artistic pursuits. Throughout the years, however, she has stubbornly continued to nurture her creative self, perpetually drawn to the art mediums of jewelry, leather working, painting, macro-photography, and graphic design.

Having owned and operated a very eclectic art gallery and a fly fishing guide service with her partner, Leon, for many years, Jill made the monumental decision to abandon the world of retail and to focus on an endeavor more dear to her heart. Two years ago, she launched Jilly Jiraffe Jewelry and, at last, her “work” and artistic passion became one and the same.

Jill’s most recent jewelry line, The Ambrosia Collection, was inspired by a recent trip to the Mediterranean from where she now imports many of the unusual, handcrafted, precious metal beads that she incorporates into her pieces. Accessorized with natural gemstones, pearls, rhinestones, leather, and linen, each piece is a unique fusion of shape, texture, and color that is defined by Jill’s simple and organic style. Her jewelry is currently being featured in boutiques and galleries throughout the midwestern and western states.

“I am intrigued by details, the parts that make the whole. To me, art in any form is the complex blending of a myriad of shapes, colors, textures and patterns that becomes a work of singular purpose and balanced splendor.”

~ Jill K. Judd

Jilly Jiraffe.com