About Me:
Jessica Hinton, the barefoot, bigfoot believing, goat loving, hippy is among the many generations of the unique Ithier's and Hinton's to wheel and deal across the states as well as in the tri-city area she now calls home. Over the past century, members of her family have sold and bought at yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets alike. Of course it all started with her Grandma - Pila
r Ithier - or Abuela/Buela as she likes to call her. Her Mother - Maria Hinton, recalls her family being stationed in Kansas and it was the first time Buela was truly alone without her Husband, or Jessica’s Grandpa - Humberto Ithier - or Papi as she likes to call him. Buela had started hanging out with other Army Wives and started to become "Americanized", being that she is Spanish. She would go to yard sales with her girlfriends and was able to communicate and pick up on quite a bit of the English language. With the knowledge of several other languages she spoke, she was able to haggle for lower prices! Intrigued by buying clothes for her four children and not having to spend full price, there was an “ah hah” moment and thrill that she became addicted to. Eventually with four children and limited living space, you end up having to sell the clothes that no longer fit. This is when her family found the Flea Markets, which were opportunities to have destination yard sale focused customers. Many times they would buy and re-sell, sometimes waking up at 3:00 a.m. in the morning, to be able to eat and provide for their family throughout the winter. Growing up, Maria Hinton’s love for organizing as well as talent with art, which she tells Jessica, “and I’m so sorry for passing this down to you”, she took over Abuela’s yard sales by organizing junk, treasures, and as the family sign maker. After being re stationed, and flipping and selling across the country, eventually one of the many places Abuela and Papi became “famous” at was The Bellwood Flea Market, right here in Richmond. Here’s a short Newspaper Clipping of the Drive-In before it became the Flea Market, which her Grandparents remember going to as well:
http://www.richmond.com/article_c14bb351-27ae-532e-a96e-23d33a8b5c72.html
Jessica grew up in a house where her Mother Maria enjoyed vintage everything! They didn't have a lot of money so necessity was the mother of invention, and so they made a lot of things themselves, often buying and selling at The Bellwood Flea Market as well. Jessica remembers helping Maria and her Father - James Hinton sell Hosta Plants on her summer weekends at that very Flea Market. She grew up roaming the concrete isles of junk and treasures galore, soaking in her Grandma, and Mother’s love for tacky chunky necklaces, hats of all shapes and sizes, and patterns you thought went extinct centuries ago! Jessica, at the age of 16, started her first job making $5.50/hr. only working Saturdays and Sundays in the very same Bellwood Flea Market Concession Stand that her family knew all too well. This is the parking lot she learned how to drive her very first vehicle in – an ‘85 Chevy S10 4 Speed – with the patience of her Father James Hinton. She also sold, bought, and resold items from the back of her Chevy throughout High School for extra cash. Ultimately Jessica is a work in progress, who is not done being charmed by life or the beauty of the minds eye. She still frequents the same Flea Market where she hunts down the tackiest of treasures that she isn’t afraid to wear - her Grandmothers little “Gypsy Twin” as she likes to call Jessica. The Jewelry Bock, or The Jewelry Goat! My Business Goal:
My business goal is to become the Pandora’s Box that everyone will want to return to, like how my family has continued to return to and enjoy the Flea Markets. Essentially, I strive to keep the spirit, love, and thrill of thrifting alive! I want to create memories with you and your families alike, in person, at Farmer’s Markets, Bizarres, Local Events, and Festivals. I am a work in progress trying to document today’s urban life - to portray through my jewelry and crafts an essence that is already tirelessly set in consciousness. I want to break the barriers of underworld folks. I want to sell you, scratch that, I want you to fall in love with the trinkets, treasures, and amulets that make you feel as good as I do in my over the top hats! The Company's History:
All Hail to "My Favorite Uncle!" - The running joke in our family! Not my Uncle! – The favorite part. You see, we tell every one of them they're our favorite in secret. But seriously, To My Favorite Uncle Juan Ithier - To whom my dreams wouldn't have been possible without, or at least taken a whole lot longer to fulfill! Once known as "Ding-Guin Custom Designs" - A family owned business that My Favorite Uncle – Juan Ithier created with the help of his wife Sandra Ithier, after retiring from The Navy - I welcome you to enjoy the new business: "The Jewelry Bock" - A hand-me down business that still specializes in custom made jewelry, and that will eventually expand with handmade crafted oddities that I love creating. The Company's Name:
"Think Outside of The Jewelry Bock" or "The Jewelry Bock" was a name inspired by and a tribute in remembrance of my boyfriend of 8 years, Charles Bock, whom passed away on February 6, 2016. Bock obviously being his last name, but "Bock in German also means “Billy Goat”. This is why so many bock beer labels feature goats. But where does the beer-goat connection come from? One theory suggests that the traditional time to brew bock beer was under the sign of Capricorn, the goat." Between his last name being Bock, my Birthday falling on January 19th - the sign of Capricorn - being the goat, and our LOVE for goats... "Think Outside of The Jewelry Bock" was born!
