Jiya Cooper, a junior at Moorestown High School, is not your typical student.
When she was just 11, she founded a small business focused on handmade designs. A small business that would not only become successful, but one that would lead to something big.
KeepItSimple Jewelry creates timeless, minimalist designs that celebrate elegance and simplicity. Think of sea glass and shark tooth necklaces, dangle pearl and daisy earrings with a soft glow, decorative charms for items like water bottles and phones, beaded flower bracelets and silver heart necklaces that fit perfectly for any occasion. At more than 800 sales, pieces set at an affordable price and with only three years on Etsy, KeepItSimple Jewelry is just the start for this young, ambitious entrepreneur.
Over the past year, Cooper launched a nonprofit extension called Glass2Art, the philanthropic arm of KeepItSimple Jewelry. At Glass2Art, their mission is simple: to raise awareness about the environmental harm caused by glass waste by transforming discarded glass into unique, sustainable art. Through creativity and innovation, Glass2Art strives to inspire sustainable solutions that not only reduce waste but also raise consciousness about the importance of rethinking how we treat the planet’s resources. Cooper can see the tie between sustainability and art by the opportunities to reuse materials in art, something that Glass2Art abides by.
So, how does Cooper and her team make the magic happen? It begins with gathering discarded glass and bottles from Moorestown parks, nature trails and public spaces. Afterward, those pieces are given a second life through the nonprofit’s meticulous cleaning and tumbling process. A recycled sterling silver base and chain is selected to fit the glass and finally, the reclaimed materials are crafted into one-of-a-kind jewelry, each piece set in recycled sterling silver to further promote eco-consciousness.
All precious keepsakes – with their own style, look and feel – are sure to give the day’s outfit an extra sparkle. Seeing people wear her products makes Cooper feel excited, as well as seeing the reviews and pictures that her customers post on Etsy.
“That part is cool,” she admits and she’s looking forward to seeing Glass2Art expand and grow.
The glass was the starting point and she’s hoping to collect other materials for jewelry.
But noted before, Cooper isn’t your typical student. She’s also the president of the high school’s Entrepreneurship Club, sustainability coordinator for the high school’s Environmental Club, a member of both the high school’s Spanish Club and Honor and Service Society and a varsity tennis player. While her high school career has had its share of ups and downs, it’s mainly been ups. She’s enjoyed all the classes she’s been able to take, and she’s been able to apply what she’s learned to the initiatives she’s participating in outside of school. She also volunteers at the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia.
Last spring Cooper completed an apprenticeship program where she learned how to screen print. She had the opportunity to create a piece that was hung outside of the mayor’s office in City Hall. Currently she spends her time giving weekend tours of the workshop. What she loves about that job is being able to walk down the street and see the art and graffiti that’s on the walls. It’s a different vibe and because of that, whenever she’s in either Philadelphia or New York City, she always feels inspired by the art she sees.
This past summer, Cooper attended a program in upstate New York where she got experience in different fields of environmental science, experiences that helped her see world problems regarding sustainability. A specific lecture that she attended titled “Sustainable Art” exposed her to seeing how people had previously combined the two fields to their advantage, which was something that helped her realize how she could do the same with Glass2Art.
In addition to her businesses and school clubs, Cooper is also collaborating with Sustainable Moorestown to develop a new youth subcommittee aimed at engaging local students in projects that make the community more sustainable and beautiful. Sustainable Moorestown promotes the economic vitality, social equity and environmental quality of Moorestown while acting as an advisory committee for the township. Through a diverse mix of projects and outreach initiatives focused on sustainability, the organization works to develop ways to achieve prosperity while creating a long-term, sustainable environment for future generations. One of Cooper’s goals through her work is to educate others about what’s currently going on with the environment and the importance of recycling.
“I think education is something that’s really important so people can learn before they act,” Cooper said, noting how much stuff is put in recycling that can’t be recycled.
“… People [at recycling facilities] are hand-picking this stuff out, off a conveyor belt which is crazy.”
For all future and existing entrepreneurs, an important thing to learn is how to persevere, Cooper noted.
“Your products may not sell at some points, but if you keep coming up with new ideas and not giving up, that’s what’s important,” she said. “It’s equally as important to stay confident in believing that your ideas are good enough and that people will like them.”
Through her blog and Glass2Art, Cooper is on a mission to create and explore meaningful and thought-provoking pieces that celebrate the beauty of the planet. Through that, she hopes to inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural world.
