Long before she was a jewelry artist, Jill Donaldson was learning the rhythms of the islands. Today, those early roots live on through Moni Tapu.
Jill Donaldson is the artist behind Moni Tapu, a jewelry line grounded in slow, intentional creation. The name means “sacred currency” in Tahitian—a phrase that came to her instinctively and ended up becoming a guiding principle. For Jill, jewelry isn’t just decorative. It’s energetic. It’s spiritual. It’s part of how we express who we are and what matters to us.
Her connection to French Polynesia goes back to childhood. Her father often traveled to the islands and made her a deal: if she learned to Tahitian dance, he’d take her with him. So she did. That promise sparked something formative.
As a young girl, Jill started learning the movements and rhythms of the culture, and eventually made that trip to the islands. That early experience stayed with her. It wasn’t just a vacation—it was an opening.
Her childhood was filled with color, music, and celebration. Her parents were known for throwing vibrant parties, and their home life pulsed with creativity and connection. Those memories now echo in her work—not just through aesthetic choices, but through a sense of rhythm, openness, and energy.
Later, Jill’s own travels continued to feed her creative instincts. Each place she visited added new textures and stories that subtly wove their way into her approach.
She didn’t start out with a master plan to become a jeweler. It was something she gravitated toward—stringing beads, following instinct, and letting each piece evolve naturally. Jewelry gave her a way to work more intuitively—hands-on, guided by instinct rather than a plan.
Jill’s process isn’t rushed. She doesn’t sit down to create with a strategy or a deadline. Often, she’ll begin a piece and know immediately whether it’s meant to be finished—or whether it needs time.
Some necklaces wait for weeks before she’s ready to pick them back up. Others are held back entirely until they’re claimed by the right person. “It’s not about selling,” she says. “It’s about connection.”
Jill doesn’t force a piece to come together. If it’s not flowing, she steps back and waits. She works intuitively, letting her energy guide the process. “I get poked with my needle when I’m not paying attention,” she says with a laugh. It’s her body’s reminder to slow down, tune in, and let the piece lead.
She trusts that each piece has its own timing—and sometimes, its own intended person. If something doesn’t feel ready, she’ll wait. “It’s not about selling,” she says again. “It’s about connection.”
In addition to her jewelry, Jill also curates and sells vintage clothing and found objects. The two offerings share a throughline—intention, care, and the belief that objects carry energy. Whether it’s a necklace or a garment, each item she offers is meant to serve as a kind of personal talisman.
She doesn’t measure success by growth or speed. She’s not chasing visibility or algorithms. Her pace is her own. She trusts that the right people will find her work when they’re meant to.
That mindset—patient, grounded, and deeply intuitive—isn’t just how she approaches art. It’s how she approaches life.
Through Moni Tapu, Jill Donaldson reminds us that beauty isn’t something we wear for others—it’s something sacred we carry for ourselves.
Where to Find Jill & Moni Tapu Jewelry:
🌴 Website: www.monitapu.com
📸 Instagram: @moni_tapu
📧 Email: jill@monitapu.com
🧿 Shop Updates & Drops: Posted regularly on Instagram stories
🎟️ Events & Pop-Ups: Follow her on Instagram for upcoming shows and markets.
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