MILFORD, Ohio (WKRC) - A woman from Milford who started creating and selling jewelry a decade ago just reached a major milestone: her 18th piece was featured on television.
Heidi Vitchner stumbled upon her passion accidentally after her husband gifted her a beautiful necklace.
She couldn’t find a pair of earrings to match, so she decided to make her own. A few years later, in 2011, Vitchner founded Bella Rose Jewelry Design.
“My father and mother were both artistic, so I think that gene got passed down to my sister and myself,” she said. “I’ve always liked doing something. Whether it’s knitting, cross-stitching or sewing, I’ve always tried something, so stumbling onto this I finally found what my real passion was for.”
Vitchner works on her pieces at home, dedicating six to seven hours a day to the process.
At first, she started off with simple beading, then moved on to etching on metal, and now solders jewelry.
In 2015, Vitchner joined The Artisan Group, an entertainment marketing organization that helps artists get their designs featured on TV.
Vitchner’s pieces have been featured on many well-known TV shows, including Law and Order SVU, Young and the Restless, Jane The Virgin, Bloodline, and Firefly Lane.
“I feel so much gratitude to The Artisan Group and stylists for choosing a piece,” she said. “Sometimes it goes through my head, like, ‘I can’t believe I got chosen,’ but it’s always so exciting.”
Vitchner’s pieces have also been featured in several Lifetime movies.
“I never get tired of it,” she said. “It’s always such a thrill for me. I get like a kid in a candy store. I get excited every time I see it. It’s quite exciting.”
Ten percent of all proceeds at Bella Rose Jewelry are donated to an animal welfare group in honor of Vitchner’s late corgi, whom her jewelry company is named after.