Husband and Wife Team Pour Passions Into Julia's Creations

Julia’s Creations on Lee Road sells hand-made jewelry, organic soaps and a collection of purses, hats, scarves, clothes and more.

But what customers may not know about the store, which opened in May, is how the owners are using the profits from the shop.

The husband and wife team, Victor and Julia Nimmons, also operate God’s Work Inc., a non-profit with the mission to raise money to feed the hungry and open a cultural center where people of any means can take classes from dancing to anti-bullying to drama to jewelry making.

“I wanted to reach for my passion,” said Victor, who left his job with the MetroHealth system in March 2011 and has owned his own business in the past. “All efforts are established to support the world we can envision in which no one goes hungry ... because we are our brother’s keeper.”

But they reached for other passions first. Victor wrote a murder mystery called Perception and Julia started making and selling jewelry out of their Shaker Heights home.

“I had never made a piece of jewelry before in my life,” Julia said.

Julia’s knack for designing necklaces and more sparked their idea to open the shop. Victor was walking in the Cedar Lee area in the early spring and noted the amount of foot traffic. He thought it would be a perfect location.

“Business has been slow but it’s steadily increasing. The biggest thing that people say is, ‘How long have you been here?’” Victor said.

They hope that money earned at the store will help support their family and run their non-profit. Victor's book, which he plans to turn into a series, is also part of God's Work Inc.

Their store has an eclectic mix of both Julia's hand-made and bought jewelry, organic soaps, clothes, lingerie, hats, scarves and the business also sells the work of local artists. Prices range from $1 to $100.

"We feel that we have something for everyone in every price range," Victor said. "We've been getting a very diverse mix of clients."

In addition to running the store, Julia will host jewelry parties at people's homes and teach kids ages 7 to 12 to make jewelry this summer. She said Sarah Brewer from and other merchants nearby have offered their support.

"Our fellow entrepreneurs have been so open and welcoming," Victor said. "Everyone has really welcomed us with open arms."

Julia’s Creations, 2242 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. 216-291-7239, juliascreationsjewelry.net. Open Mon. – Sat. 10 am – 7 pm, Sun. 2 pm – 6 pm first two weekends of the month, closed the second two weekends of each month.