Melissa Joy Manning

Melissa Joy Manning began creating her first ceramic bead necklace when she was in pre-school, a necklace that her mother still treasures to this day. From then on, she knew that it had to be her calling. She studied traditional silversmithing at the Instituto de Allende in Mexico and European design principles at the University of Barcelona. Before studying abroad, she majored in art history in the University of California and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in jewelry design and sculpture from San Francisco State University. But as with any business venture, doubts creep in. While flipping through the channels on her T.V, she tuned on to “Just Shoot Me”, a sitcom that she never had seen. As soon as she put it, one of the show’s many supermodels walked across the screen, wearing a Melissa Joy Manning necklace. The doubts were quickly erased and she dived herself in her jewelry making business in 1997. Since then, business has been booming for her. Her jewelry has been featured in magazine covers and fashion spreads, even in feature films, television programs, and music videos. Some of her celebrity clients include Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock, Sheryl Crow, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Debra Messing, P!nk, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Usher, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.