What began almost 13 years ago as a dream—a small Etsy shop expression of Vana's love for paper silhouette art—has since evolved into an authentic business and a community of thousands across the world who treasure their memories through our signature heirloom jewelry pieces. It is our greatest gift to know and serve our customers and community in this way.
In celebration of our 13th year anniversary, we’ve decided to rename the business to better reflect where we are and, more importantly, to swing wide the doors of new creative opportunities ahead. Vana Chupp Studio will continue to be a lifestyle brand focused on beautiful design through products. We invite you to come alongside us as we move forward into this exciting new chapter!
Vana Chupp Studio is a boutique brand that manifests the sensibilities and personal style of its Founder and Creative Director, Vana Chupp. The brand inspires women to keep memories close and cherish the magic of special moments forever.
We utilize client's favorite photographs to illustrate the people, pets, and special moments in their life. From those treasured pictures, we create one-of-a-kind heirloom pieces: silhouette portraits and exquisite jewelry, and perfectly personal accessories destine to become family heirlooms and passed down to the next generation.
Vana Chupp Studio was established in 2008 in an effort to satisfy Vana's creative passions while fulfilling an even higher calling, being a mom. Vana continues to be the safe keeper of a family's memory and works with clients personally on each order to help evoke the magic of that moment forever. The team includes 6 other talented women. Each brings a set of talents and values that reflect our company's mission.
We understand time spent with our little ones is fleeting. It's our mission to inspire parents to see the joy in the most mundane moments, to choose present over speed living, real over rushed, cherished presents over meaningless gifts. We believe every mother should own and proudly wear an heirloom jewelry that tells a memorable story.
It all started with a silhouette! Vana opened her Etsy shop on March 8, 2008 and started creating paper silhouettes from the eat-in area in her kitchen.
Vana's first born, Nikolas (age 3) at her computer in the tiny home studio.
Vana's home studio in Mount Prospect, IL
Vana in the early days of running her business on Etsy. VCS was mainly a paper product shop offering beautiful custom silhouette portraits and stationery.
Vana in her tiny studio off her kitchen packaging silhouette pillow orders.
We rented a work space to accommodate our growing business. The tinniest space in a beautiful historical building in downtown Park Ridge, IL.
This small studio was the perfect home for all our paper goods...until it became too small.
Vana signed her first book deal, “Silhouette Art” with Chronicle Books. Her son Nikolas’ silhouette was featured on the cover and graced our company’s logo until March 2021.
Vana was an Etsy "featured seller" and shared her story of how she got started and what inspired her.
Vana's first head shot as part of the photoshoot for her first book, Silhouette Art, with Chronicle Books.
First "out of home" studio space.
Vana in her first office working on silhouette orders.
Nikolas, 4 years old in VCS first studio space.
Kristen came on board as our first employee. She helped Vana sell her products in local holiday markets.
We started offering jewelry alongside paper products and other accessories. It quickly became a best-seller and we continued to add new collections
We started offering jewelry utilizing precious metals. The Classic Silhouette Charm Necklace quickly became a customer favorite.
Vana with her youngest son, John (then 3) at a local Target store. Vana’s work was featured in select Chicago Target stores.
Vana began offering custom house illustrations and ornaments. To this day they are two of our most asked for products.
Vana began offering custom house illustrations and ornaments. To this day they are two of our most asked for products.
Vana's home studio in Richmond.
Vana began offering custom house illustrations and ornaments. To this day they are two of our most asked for products.
As her boys became more independent, Vana started devoting more time to grow LPS.
We added birthstone charms to our collection to add another layer of customizing giving our customers more ways to tell their unique stories through jewelry.
Our team of 4!
Vana's first born son, Nikolas (who was 3 at the time she started VCS) now 15 started helping part time at the studio.
We started offering more pieces our customers have been asking for, like these darling charm holders that pair so beautifully with our paper clip chains.
