Meet Cassondra Justine | Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassondra Justine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassondra, why did you pursue a creative career?
The moment I was introduced to the art of soldering jewelry, it felt like a lightbulb moment – as if I had stumbled upon my true calling. There’s something so captivating about the process of crafting each piece, but what truly surprised me was the profound impact these pieces had on those who wore them. Witnessing the boost of confidence they brought to the wearer was truly inspiring. Creating jewelry then became more than just a way to express myself; it became a means of inspiring and uplifting the remarkable women who surrounded me—a pursuit that I found myself increasingly compelled by.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The catalyst for my career was attending Savannah College of Art and Design and receiving my bachelors degree in jewelry. From there I met incredible people, made amazing connections and after graduating was able to design for well known brands such as Fossil, Michael Kors, Lucky Brand and Johnny Was. While working for these companies was amazing, I had been designing for the brand’s aesthetic, not my personal aesthetic. Alongside working for these companies I began creating my personal brand, Cassondra Justine, where I have been able to continue to express my personal creativity. Cassondra Justine has continued to grow over the years while I have been able to express my personal style more and more. Of course, having a side hustle can be a struggle but it has always felt like more of a passion project. Each piece is created with intention and meaning behind it and intended to uplift the wearer. When jewelry is made with authenticity I believe that it shines through the piece and the wearer takes on that positive energy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I absolutely love going to the Getty or the Getty Villa. I always feel as though I have been transported to a different country when I visit either place. I could truly spend the entire day walking the grounds and soaking up all the art and culture.

A drive up to Malibu on the PCH with the windows down and the radio up, having a picnic at Zuma beach and then watching the sunset at Paradise cove with a giant pineapple cocktail and your feet in the sand.

An early lunch at downtown Kazunori and then head over to the Flower District and Santee Alley to have an afternoon full of unpredictable shopping. Afterward head to La Cha Cha Cha for happy hour margaritas and their LA Churros.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many people who have impacted my journey but my family has been the biggest support system I could ever ask for. They have been my personal cheerleaders since the first piece of jewelry I made. Aside from my family, I have to mention a non-profit that I worked with, Batey Girls, that is based in the Dominican Republic. I had the opportunity to be the jewelry director for this organization and it really opened my eyes to the impact that jewelry can make on the world. With the organization I was able to teach jewelry making to women and girls in the Dominican Republic who were escaping human trafficking. Through teaching these women jewelry they were able to hone a craft that could in turn make them money in order to be able to escape the position they were in and provide for themselves. The impact these women had on me changed my life and helped guide my vision for my jewelry brand to be directed toward empowering women.

Website: https://cassondrajustine.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassondrajustine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cassondrajustinejewelry

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cassondrajustine

Image Credits
Amandolin Webb