Welcome to the world of San Francisco jewelry designer Peggy Li.
Hello! My name is Peggy and I grew up in Santa Rosa, a small city in Northern California. I've been making and designing handmade jewelry for over 20 years. It's a stark contrast to my beginnings as a Chemical Engineering major at UC Berkeley, with parents who hoped I would have a "real job" as a doctor, lawyer or scientist someday. Unfortunately for them, I loved wandering Telegraph Avenue more than the book stacks, checking out all the handmade wares. The artisans on Telegraph inspired me to create my own handmade jewelry (birthstone earrings for family and friends) and the seeds for Peggy Li Creations were planted. (My parents of course became my biggest cheerleaders later!)
With a detour to Los Angeles and then coming home to the Bay Area to work for Electronic Arts, Peggy Li Creations continued to grow slowly and organically as a labor of love and outlet for creativity for me. Along the way were amazing moments like having a design featured in the pages of The Los Angeles Times, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, in the pages of TeenVogue and, of course, on TV.
Jewelry seen on TV
While living and working in Los Angeles as a writer, I met the costume designer for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer - and, as they say, the rest is history. I'm so grateful to be working today with amazing stylists, costume designers and people in film, TV and print. Today, Peggy Li designer jewelry and handmade jewelry is seen on TV shows like Riverdale, The Bold Type, Elementary, The Bachelorette, and in magazines such as Oprah Magazine and Life & Style.
photos by Emily Kim
When I look for jewelry, I want to see designs I've never seen before. Making simple, minimalist, sophisticated jewelry with feminine touches, making designs that help women feel beautiful, makes ME happy. I firmly believe that when women feel beautiful, they feel powerful and have more confidence. And we all need a little more of each!
I source materials and components for my jewelry designs from all over the world and each piece is hand selected, assembled, or fabricated by me. I strive to work with ethically sourced and managed companies and artisans as well as keep my own manufacturing processes as green and eco-friendly as possible. This includes using minimal packaging for your orders as well as recycling all scrap metals.
I also believe that everyone has artistic talent and it's about finding just how to express it. I never thought I'd express it through making jewelry! Among other things, I would love to be a screenwriter, entomologist and pastry chef. When not making jewelry, I'll be watching movies, reality TV, trying new foods, playing golf (handicap 16.7), learning new handmade jewelry making techniques and helping other small business owners.
