I bought my first pair of Joli earrings at the old gift shop of the New York Public Library.

I certainly had no idea back then that some 10 years later I’d be sitting down with their designer for a story on her — and her connections to Putnam County.

Let me give you a bit of the history —

That first purchase was back when the library shop was still in a storefront space, just across Fifth Avenue from the main branch.

I picked up many great things there, one of which was a lovely Asian-inspired pair of dangling earrings by Joli Jewelry.

I’d never heard of the company before then, but loved the look and remember reading on a display card how the work was handcrafted with vintage findings.

Since I’m a huge costume jewelry fan, especially when it’s vintage or antique, I was hooked.

I kept spotting more Joli Jewelry here and there over the years. Sometimes I’d buy, always, I’d admire.

It was just about a month or so ago when I found out — thanks to Harry Haslett of Island Imports in Hawthorne — that Joli Jewelry is designed by Jody Lyons.

And while Lyons grew up in Teaneck, N.J., and is based in Brooklyn, she now has a second home in Cold Spring.

Yes, I was pretty excited to hear of the local connection… and even more excited when I contacted Lyons and she agreed to work with us on a feature.

I’m in the midst of that story now — we hope to run it early next month as Joli Jewelry celebrates its 25th anniversary — and just wanted to share a few photos of my visit to her home/studio in Park Slope.

These are some of her finished works, complete with display pieces. Lyons designs and sells earrings, brooches, necklaces, rings and trinket trays to shops around the country — and the world.

And here’s the view from her office — incredible, right?

We — my friend and colleague Steve Schmitt was the photographer assigned to the story — also got to see the space where Lyons comes up with her designs, and some work in progress:

If you look closely, you can see a brooch in the midst of this burst of color:

And here’s Lyons, as Steve was getting a portrait of her.

How cool was that couch? Lyons told us “I call that my ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ couch.”

I really enjoyed the interview; it’s always great when you meet someone whose work you admire and they turn out to be really cool.

It’s going to be a really fun story, touching on time Lyons spent in Mahopac back in her early days, how she started the business, her thoughts on design and where she hopes to take the company.

Lyons had mentioned some of her favorite local places as we talked, and when it was time to go, Lyons helped me plot out a bit of a walking tour of the area (since I’d never been there before)

She’s been in Park Slope for 12 years now and has certainly seen all the changes.

One of her favorite shops is right on her street — Trailer Park.

I stopped in and could have bought quite a lot, from figurines to kitchen collectibles to paintings, but I decided I’d better keep moving or it would be trouble.

I also headed to Fifth Avenue at her suggestion and while I didn’t get to stop in all the places she mentioned — I definitely plan to go back — I did find Cog & Pearl.

It’s a shop that actually reminded me of Beehive Co-op in Mount Kisco (which coincidentally is one of the local places where Lyons’ jewelry is carried) — and there was quite a bit of Joli Jewelry on display here, including these pins:

And earrings:

It was fun to see how Lyons’ jewelry is featured just blocks away from where it’s made, even though she’s now carried around the world.

I’ll let you know when the story is set to run — but in the mean time, let me know if you come across any Joli Jewelry in your travels.