Pure Whimsy Jewelry
It’s been a joy learning about Rina’s journey with Pure Whimsy Jewelry, and we’re excited to share it with you below. You can support her small business by checking it out here!
About Pure Whimsy Jewelry
Pure Whimsy Jewelry began with a girls night out for its founder Rina, where they made crochet necklaces at a local boutique. It quickly led to a first metal smithing class and the realization that this was a perfect creative outlet for her. Over 15 years later, jewelry-making continues to be a way to stay connected and rooted, especially in light of her husband’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. Each design feels like a small “silver nature painting” that reflects both her love for art and the outdoors. Her favorite creations are always her most recent pieces, since each one brings new techniques and growth built on years of experience. Sustainability is central to her work as well. Rina uses recycled silver, melts down her own scraps into new sheets, powers her studio with solar energy, and packages each piece in recycled paper boxes.
Our conversation can be read below!
What inspired you to start your business? What’s your story?
I have been an artist my entire life. From painting in watercolor and oils to stained glass and quilting, I love telling stories through visual images. My jewelry-making journey began with a fun girls' night out, where we made crochet necklaces at a local boutique. That led me to my first of many metal smithing classes, and I knew immediately I had found my perfect artistic expression.
That was over 15 years ago, about the same time my husband started having some strange health symptoms, which was quite stressful for me (he was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease). I lived in Alaska at the time, and I found my balance and well-being by hiking, backcountry skiing, being in nature, and also by making art. I then found that designing, creating, and wearing little “silver nature paintings” helped to keep me connected to nature and myself (as a caretaker, it’s easy to lose yourself).
What’s one of your favorite things you’ve made?
This is hard to answer after 15+ years. My favorite things are my most recent pieces. It's always a joy to learn new things and incorporate them into your work. So my present work is a culmination of the prior 15 years.
What are your thoughts on the importance of sustainability for small businesses? If you don’t yet, what are your future hopes or has CCT influenced your perspective in any way?
Just about all of my silver is recycled. I use a combination of Argentium sterling silver and Fine silver. Argentium is manufactured from recycled sterling silver. I melt all of my fine silver scraps, recycling them into new silver sheet.
Additionally, my studio is fully solar-powered, and my jewelry boxes are made from recycled paper.
You can visit her small business here.
