My Story
This is where it all began – in Canada.
Hi, I’m Jen, the founder of Aura Vitana a UK-based creator of handcrafted beaded jewellery and accessories. At the heart of this brand is a very personal story of living with depression and anxiety, a journey that began in 2010 and slowly led me towards jewellery as a source of calm, strength, and healing.
As a lifelong lover of semi-precious beaded jewellery and crystals, I wore them every day – not just for their style, but for the sense of grounding they gave me. On the toughest days in a toxic work environment, my bracelets and necklaces became small anchors, supporting my wellbeing when everything else felt overwhelming.
Our first trip to Canada in 2012, followed by several visits for much-needed respite and to see family, became a turning point. In 2015, while there, a lovely cousin suggested I try making my own jewellery after I introduced her to semi-precious gemstones and crystals. That simple suggestion planted a seed that would grow into something life-changing.
By 2019, things at work had become even more difficult. I designed two gemstone bracelet combinations for grounding, protection, and shielding from psychic attacks. Every few weeks, the “psychic attack” bracelet would break – a sign, to me, that it had done its job – and I would make another, and another. Eventually, the level of toxicity led to me being signed off with stress, depression, and anxiety.
One of the hardest parts of experiences like that is realising how little control we have over other people’s behaviour or words, especially when there is no real support from management or colleagues. My confidence and self-esteem disappeared and some days I could barely get out of bed because the anxiety felt so overwhelming.
Alongside therapy and medication, the properties and benefits of semi precious gemstone jewellery became an important part of my healing. Sitting down to create with beads and stones was incredibly therapeutic; it gave my mind something gentle and meaningful to focus on. Over time, that soothing practice blossomed into a creative venture where passion met craftsmanship. It was one of the best decisions I made on my journey to healing.
I began by making jewellery for myself, family and friends and as the years passed, my handmade journey evolved into what is now Aura Vitana. What started as a personal outlet during a very dark season slowly grew into a brand built on intention, meaning and empowerment.
Every piece of jewellery I create is handcrafted using a variety of natural and semi-precious beads with empowerment and purpose woven into each design. My hope is that Aura Vitana jewellery and accessories bring you a sense of calm, beauty and balance, so you can feel good on purpose, inside and out, just as they have helped me 💞