All of my life, I've been fascinated with the arts and design. As a young girl, my free time was usually spent on creative projects, rather than participating in sports, like my two sisters. I developed a distinct eye for quality, style, texture, and color at a very early age. As I progressed into adulthood, I took community college courses in apparel arts, fine art, interior design, culinary arts
and film. I transferred to Woodbury University and graduated in 1995 with a B.S. in Fashion Design. Since graduating, I have worked a variety of jobs, mainly managing specialty boutiques and stores, in addition to designing custom suits and shirts. In 2005, while working as an interior design consultant for a big-box corporation, I started to feel the need to be independently creative. I began designing jewelry during my off-time from work. My family and friends were, of course, the first to notice, and quickly became my initial customers. This opened up a new circle of customers, friends of friends. Eventually, in 2009, I became official and acquired my resale license. I currently sell to Orange County and Los Angeles boutiques, as well as through word-of-mouth and at art shows/festivals. My brand tastefully integrates fashion and fine jewelry. Handcrafted, I use only precious metals, semi-precious and precious stones, Swarovski crystals, high-grade leather and silk. I am primarily inspired by music and nature and as a result, I have two distinct styles. The first incorporates leather into nearly every piece, resulting in an edgy, casual look that can best be described as rocker meets bohemian. The second style combines either Swarovski crystals, semi precious, and/or precious stones with precious metals, producing a delicate, sophisticated, dressy and romantic effect. From these two styles, I have designed five lines, four of which are based on the edgy, casual style of the first line mentioned. I also offer one-of-a-kinds, as well as special orders. Each and every design is created via the highest quality craftsmanship and finest materials. Since they are handmade, no two pieces are exactly alike, making each design truly unique. The name behind my jewelry is dedicated to my mother, Barbara Hartley, who has been living with cancer since 2003. Throughout my life, she has been my biggest supporter and hero. When the time came for me to name my brand, my mother naturally came to mind. Her first initial, combined with her last name, B. Hartley, rang perfectly in my ear. I couldn't think of a better name for my jewelry line.
