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Show . - fc. Chamber Member Profile , by Shirley Smith First a nurse, then operator of a private pre-school and now owner of a jewelry store - a highly unlikely combination that adds up to Jill Johnson and . Turquoise Ltd. Located on the lower level of the Resort Plaza, Turquoise Ltd. began 2 years ago as something of a whim. Jill had gone to New Mexico to attempt to replace some much loved turquoise jewelry Isot in a robbery. She didn't replace the lost pieces, but she did find Peter Sierra, a designer of contemporary turquoise tur-quoise jewelry. Jill bought a number of pieces and found that her Park City friends liked them as much as she did and started asking her to order for them. There was so much interest, in fact, that a retail outlet seemed the natural answer. At that time Jill, husband Stan, an architect for the University of Utah, daughters Kathleen (23) and sons Eric (21) and Clark (16) Were still living in Bountiful, their home of 20 years. But their Park City ties were strong, having spent weekends, holidays and parts of summers here for the past 14 years. "We felt good about Park City and decided this would be the only place we would want to open a shop," says Jill. They started looking for a small spot in Spetember of 1977 and by November were open for business - just in time for the worst ski season ever. But summer business proved to be a ( pleasant surprise and the small , shop is now firmly established. At first she carried just the handcrafted work of Mr. Sierra, but soon realized she would have to find other designers to keep up with the demand for - fine pieces. Finding it difficult to locate quality craftsmen, husband Stan and son Clark decided to try their hand at jewelry making. An artistic background and a jewelry making class at the Kimball Art Center pro ided the needed impetus and now most of the fine custom pieces are family produced in the workroom work-room of the Johnson home in Park Meadows. A number of these pieces, in addition to those by Peter Sierra and another designer from Salt lake, are on display in the shop -priced from $60.00 to $1,000. -but Stan Johnson now also does a large amount of custom designing. "People come to us wanting something unique, often bringing bring-ing their own stones. Stan talks with them getting an idea of just what they are looking for in the way of a bracelet, ring, necklace or perhaps belt buckle, and then creates an original design just foHhat person. "But all of our pieces are one of a kind," explained Jill, "for neither Stan or Clark like to make the same, thing twice. Turquoise Ltd. is also for the person wanting less expensive jewelry, for they carry a fine selection of handcrafted Indian jewelry - necklaces, rings earrings, pendants, stick pins in turquoise, gem stones, silver and gold - in the $20.00 and under price range. The jewelry business, and Park City, became so important to the Johnsons that they moved here permanently a year ago and we at the Chamber are pleased to have them and their unique business as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a part of Park City. Visit Turquoise Ltd Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 to 6:00pm or call Jill at 649-8482. 3 ' r "" v , 'ivy-'""'"" " mil li -i in "- muuumm , ! .mlMlMIMlntiJoiii'.iy.L.. mmtmn i" "W"1 " & V ' 7umjn I . ' ' "" ,Jr --ijmi.mijji XI. ' . - "mm,.. im.il snr,' ,:s - - ; - y V 'i - -.. ; M ! ' - ! vf , ' t'V' -I . i - 1 '.'"' ; ' '- 5 J "Jill Johnson |