The heart behind JKay Designs
Guided by faith, grounded in family, and inspired by the stories behind every piece.
Every piece begins with listening
– to a story, a milestone, or a memory worth honoring, and ends with craftsmanship that feels personal and lasting. Julie’s work bridges artistry and integrity, turning everyday materials into keepsakes that carry pride, gratitude, and love.
Rooted in generosity and guided by faith, JKay Designs exists to celebrate people, their effort, their moments, and the meaning behind them
I’m Julie, the hands and heart behind JKay Designs.
After 25 years of teaching, I traded my classroom for a workshop, but the heart behind what I do has not changed. I still love helping people create and feel proud of something they’ve made or achieved.
JKay Designs started as a simple way to give back to our livestock community, designing awards that reflected the effort behind every ribbon. What began as a small act of generosity quickly grew into a calling.
Today, I create custom awards, corporate gifts, and personal keepsakes that honor life’s meaningful moments, from county fairs and fundraisers to weddings, memorials, and family heirlooms. Each piece is designed and engraved with care, combining artistry, precision, and genuine human connection.
What Matters Most
Faith, family, and community are at the center of my life and my work. I was raised to believe that you show up for people, and that every act of care, no matter how small, makes a difference.
That belief guides every project that comes through my shop. Whether it’s seventy engraved awards or one single cutting board with a grandmother’s handwriting, I treat each order with the same heart and intention.
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My faith shapes how I treat people, how I work, and how I show up. It reminds me that every act of service, big or small, carries purpose.
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My family is the foundation of everything I do. They are my biggest supporters, my inspiration, and the reason behind this business.
My husband, Tim, has been there every step of the way—supporting me financially, emotionally, and even mechanically when something needs fixing. I truly couldn’t do this without him. Kyle loves to come in, sit down, and throw out the next big idea, basically acting as my built-in marketing agent. Mallory has been instrumental in helping with the fundraising and classes. All of the kids enjoy stopping in and ordering from their mama, which never fails to remind me why I started.
My grandsons are my true drive. Cooper is a toddler on wheels, full of energy and curiosity. It melts my heart how he has already learned the importance of being gentle and cautious with his cousin, Calvin. He loves bringing him toys and playing alongside him. Calvin is the biggest fighter I know—never complaining, just a sweet little angel God placed on this earth.
This business is more than just work to me—it’s family, love, perseverance, and purpose woven into everything I create.
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I believe in honoring hard work, lifting others up, and staying connected to the people and places that shaped me. Much of my best work began by showing up for someone in need.
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Quality is not about perfection; it is about care. I give every piece the same steady attention I would give to my own family’s keepsakes.
How I Work
I see every project as a collaboration. My process starts with listening, hearing the story behind what you want to create, and understanding what makes it special.
From there, I design, proof, and finish each piece with attention to every detail. My goal is to make the process as personal and professional as the finished product itself.
Why I Do It
For me, this business isn’t just about making beautiful things…
It’s about honoring people, their stories, their effort, and the love they put into what they do.
Each finished piece is a reflection of that, a tangible reminder that what we give, create, and celebrate matters. This is the heart behind JKay Designs, where craftsmanship meets care and every creation tells a story worth keeping.