Easy, everyday jewelry, a life well layered, and the pieces that pull it all together
We’ve always believed it’s the little things that pull it all together—the finishing touches you reach for without thinking, but somehow make you feel like yourself. Enter Jill Rumph.
Founder of Jill Michael Jewelry, she’s been designing pieces since her kitchen table days—creating jewelry that feels effortless, wearable, and quietly special. The kind you throw on with a white tee and suddenly feel a bit more put together. Based in LA, Jill is also a mom of two boys, bringing that same effortless sensibility into her home—a cool California ranch filled with pieces she’s thrifted and collected over time, mixing old and new in a way that feels natural, and never overdone.
With an entrepreneurial spirit that showed up early (from starting her jewelry line to owning a clothing store), Jill has built a world that feels entirely her own. Ahead of our pop-up at Bank Street Flea (where we’re pairing our bags with her one-of-a-kind bag tags), we wanted to step into her world for a moment—the way she designs, what inspires her, and the small details that make everyday life feel a little more considered.
Mother Knows Best // Easy Breezy Living with
Jill Michael Jewelry
You coined “easy, everyday jewelry” from the beginning—what did that mean to you then, and how does it still guide your designs today?
I am 99.9% of the time very casual, and value ease and an effortless style. Easy, everyday to me feels like no fuss, something you can grab and wear and not think much about it. Styles that blend with what you already have going on, go where you go, and don’t stick out, but accentuate. Casual, yet complete.
Your pieces feel like those anchor layers you never take off. Where do you typically find inspiration when designing—are you looking at materials, people, places, or something more intuitive?
I love an understated look, and like to keep things minimal. I design with versatility in mind, so the same earring could make sense with vintage jeans and a tee, or a LBD at dinner or wedding. You don’t need a million different things for all different moments, just a few things that work for it all. A little extra cheek/lip, and a different part in your hair, and voila, you’re dressed up! Also helps make packing light;) Intuitively, I think everyone wants to feel like dressing is effortless, so designing key pieces that make this possible is the vision. Mixing metals gives permission to layer old favorites you love with new additions, and neutral colors weave through each season.
You’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit from early on—starting your jewelry line, owning a clothing store… what are some of your internal instincts when building something of your own?
I worked in boutique retail as well as corporate fashion throughout my 20’s at James Perse and it is there that I learned I am not a master of anything. I see the whole picture, and have a strong vision of what can be. I genuinely enjoy creating things and bringing a vision to life, and I knew that if I wanted this reality, I would likely need to create it myself. I value flexibility and keep things simple, which keeps me open to change, and opportunities that may arise.
You have such an effortless way of getting dressed—what’s your personal formula these days, especially as a mom of two boys?
Since I don’t have a traditional workplace that I need to be at daily, I am usually working from home, working in my garden, or tending to my chickens, so I usually look like I am in the middle of yard work, haha. Honestly, I am hardly ever very ‘put together, it’s just not something I think about that much. We walk to school, so I usually wear some sort of comfortable pant, t-shirt tucked in (feels less frazzled), or workout clothes if I have a class that day. Baseball cap is always an easy fix for undone hair. When I do need to get dressed, I default to an oversized button up or a tucked t-shirt, and a good pair of jeans, or trousers. I change the elevation of my outfit with shoes and a layer. Sneakers for a casual look, loafers for elevation. Vintage sweater for a baseball game, blazer or blouse for a dinner. It’s the smallest change that creates a whole different story.
What are you packing in your Goldie Bag when headed out on an adventure day with your family or a picnic with the girls?
I love biking around our neighborhood and the goldie bag fits perfectly in my bike basket! It depends on where I am going, and what we already have in the fridge. I love that a water bottle, or wine fits securely so it’s not rolling around as I ride. The other day, we went to a friend’s house for burgers, so I packed all the fixin’s I was contributing in my bag—it surprisingly fits a lot! I am not much of a planner, so I love that I can grab whatever we have, and once it is in the Goldie Bag, it feels planned. I also love that when I do prep something, I can pack it in the insert and stick it in the fridge until we are ready to go. All the pockets are useful (i.e. a bottle of ketchup for the burger hang) and intentional.
Come see us at Bank Street Flea May 17th and score a limited drop Jill Michael Bag Tag!
For our pop-up, you created one-of-a-kind bag tags to pair with Goldie—what draws you to pieces that feel personal, imperfect, or a little one-of-a-kind?
This was such a fun project! I love one of a kind because it can be more unique to each person. When you are producing something for the market, skus have to be more streamlined, but one of a kind gives the ability for something for everyone to choose what resonates with them. We really played with bright colors, which was fun, and I love how they turned out. I do love a playful pop of color to shake it up a little.
Your home has such a collected feel. Do you have any sourcing tips or secrets for how to tastefully mix old with new?
I love the quality that vintage pieces hold. One main tip I live by is, wait for the right piece to come along. I would rather have an empty space, or use something I have, until I find just the right piece. Even if I want something ‘new’, I check facebook marketplace first and try to find it gently used. It feels so much better not only for the deal, but less packaging, shipping, etc. I love using something that is already in the world if it is available. This is not possible all the time, (luckily LA has a lot of options) but worth the try! I also think it is important to use what you have, not everything needs to be so curated and perfect, especially when you have young kids! Sometimes these are the things that make your space feel most special.
As a mom, what feels like your guiding compass right now? Is there something you come back to in how you’re raising your boys?
I know that these days won’t last forever. 1M fold after losing my sister and best friend to breast cancer last year, I always feel grateful that we are happy and healthy and that I have this time with them. With direction, school, etc, we take it year by year and have an open posture. If something doesn’t feel right, we can change it. I work intentionally to keep things stable for my kids and grow on what we have built, rather than chase a new dream as they come (which is what I might naturally what we want to do…Let’s live in the RV for a while! Where? IDK, we will see when we get there!) I also honor my boys as people who have their own gifts and will have their own dreams, so I do what I can to encourage that in them. They are not just my kids, but their own people that will have their own lives someday. My greatest wish is that they will develop skills to be self-sufficient and find a life that suits them, full of deep contentment and joy.
“My greatest wish is that they will develop skills to be self-sufficient and find a life that suits them, full of deep contentment and joy.”
These are the days… what’s something about this season of motherhood you know you’ll want to remember?
It’s very true that the days are long, but the years are short. I love getting to know who my kids are, and seeing their personalities come to life. The spirit of who they are is undeniable, and I love when they come up with something out of nowhere that is truly unique to them. I love hearing their ideas, seeing what they are drawn to, and what interests them. I love that Tyler and I will be able to say, “We were there when…” and I hope to help support and encourage them in whatever they dream up.
Morning person or night owl?
I love sleeping! But I can’t ever sleep in with kids, so we are up and at ‘em!
Coffee order?
Americano with cream, Matcha in the afternoon
Beach day or park picnic?
Love a sunny beach day and a swim!
Saturday morning you can find me…
Enjoying a slower morning before a sports game usually by 10/11. Might make pancakes or muffins if I am feeling it!
What tunes are an instant mood boost?
In my head at this current moment is “Choosing Texas” by Ella Langley
Favorite item in your home?
Different categories of this, but I love my Sabre Flatwear, Fermob outdoor chairs, and a few pieces of pottery I use often and would be sad if they broke:)In my garden, my Meyer Lemon bush.
Go-to ‘fit when you’re in everyday mom mode?
Vintage Wrangler jeans and tucked in t-shirt or button up, sweater layered if it’s cold.
SHOP JILL
