Glamma Gurl Xpressions (GGX) Jewels (http://www.ggxjewels.com/)
Gina modeling some of her jewelry
(All Photos courtesy GGXJewels.com)
What’s your hometown?
Baltimore, MD currently residing in Alexandria , VA.
What was the catalyst in your opening GGX Jewels?
The catalyst for me was honestly quite selfish - I was tired of spending money for the fashionable trendy accessories that “average” size women were wearing but that didn’t properly or comfortably fit my full-figured frame. (Either that, or I was spending way too much for “plus sized” jewelry at national retailers that would easily fall to pieces or tarnish quickly). I am a 9-5/M-F corporate business woman & I started getting bored with the day-to-day of office life, so decided to try my hand at a few modeling photo-shoots to do something different on my weekends. I needed to have the proper accessories to make my look *POP* for the camera. In 2005, I made my first necklace & bracelet set and was totally blown away by all of the comments I received – to the point someone offered to buy the set right off of me – literally. Two very dear friends of mine were with me at dinner that night, and suggested that I started selling the pieces I made. Funny thing is I was very protective over my creations and didn’t want to sell anything *lol* I wanted everything I made for myself. But eventually, I got over it and started Glamma Gurl Xpressions (now GGX Jewels). While I specialize in jewelry for EVERY size, taste, and style…I have a special place in my heart & my jewelry for the curvy ladies. The GGX Glamma’Rous Curves © collection is geared towards only the curviest of Divas!
What’s your inspiration? I’m inspired by a lot of things – but honestly, I eat, sleep, and breathe GGX. I create something every single day, and nothing brings me more joy than to see someone wearing something that I’ve created with my own two hands. Nothing can be more inspiring to an artist than that! I also love to be able to offer my family a more stable financial future by doing something that I absolutely love to do and am so passionate about. I want to teach my daughter that you can live your dreams (even if only part-time for now!)…
If you had to pick a favorite design from your collection, what would it be?
I can’t pick just 1 design! But, I can pick one style – My very favorite thing to make and wear is anything with bended/wrapped wire (to include my wire-wrapped rings, earrings, and cuff bracelets). I truly *heart* these pieces because each one is so different, and it’s own individual piece of wearable art.
What do you hope to gain from being a vendor at Curves & Cocktails?
I truly believe that my experience and exposure at such a prestigious event will help me to grow my business (and skill level, as I prepare pieces for the event) and get more people exposed to and wearing my GGX creations. The fact that I live in the DC area, and have an opportunity to go show my wares in the Big Apple? It’s a blessing, and it’s a dream come true. I’m confident that the C & C shoppers will love what they see, and perhaps I’ll make a networking connection that will help me elevate GGX to the next level. This is an artists dream. I’m grinding…
