Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Patino.
Sara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’d love to share my thought process, and story behind my brand. It started from the love of designing and creating and has evolved into a brand with an eco-conscious-driven mission. It’s been an interesting journey, and I’m happy to share.
I learned an appreciation for handmade goods at an early age. I’m from St. Louis, but growing up, I traveled back to Colombia, South America to visit my extended family. Speaking Spanish and staying in the remote ultra-green farm country of central Colombia has been my normal. Even as a kid, at the end of my trips, I’d come home with handmade purses, belts, and jewelry from artisans. It planted an appreciation for handmade accessories, nature, cultures, and a love of travel.
This was my first hands-on understanding of the accessories we enjoy; they come from the earth and are made with intention by actual people. Watching a piece come to life was inspiring and has shaped my journey of who I am today. I decided one day to take a jewelry metalsmithing class after my 9 to 5 and was instantly hooked. This led me to a journey of learning through courses, creating collections, and designing for other companies.
I had a front-row seat to fast-fashion jewelry. I worked as a designer in the jewelry fast fashion industry, traveled overseas, and came to discover that much of the jewelry metal and gem mining industry treats the earth and its people poorly. Not all jewelry factories, but many. It’s disappointing, unfair, and didn’t sit well with me. I thought that women deserved to have jewelry they could feel good about.
Jewelry is the story of the materials, the process, the maker, and YOU. It can lift your spirit, celebrate your style, and still be kind to the earth.
I want to turn jewelry into a vehicle for good. So I designed a collection with a mission. Sara Patino Jewelry is a member of 1% for the Planet. It honors a commitment to sustainability and kindness towards the earth. We also give a percentage of proceeds to WEA, the Women Earth Alliance. WEA is on a mission to protect our environment, end the climate crisis, and ensure a just, thriving world by empowering women’s leadership.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Finding the right suppliers for recycled metals and ethical gemstones took a lot of research and vetting. I would say that was a struggle and took time, but it was worth it!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Sara Patino Jewelry is known for creating a modern jewelry collection made under one roof in St. Louis, Missouri that is made by hand using recycled metals and ethical gemstones.
It’s a collection with unique designs that are made for everyday wear, with a light, comfortable modern style.
Do you have any advice for those just starting?
If you have something in your heart you need to share, that urge is there for a reason, the world needs your gift!
Be patient with yourself and keep following your dreams. Trust that the process to share that dream is a learning journey in itself.
Pricing:
- Price ranges from $60 – $1000
Contact Info:
- Website: sarapatinojewelry.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/sarapatinojewelry
- Facebook: facebook.com/sarapatinojewelry
Image Credits
Claire Bira Photography and Sarah Harvey Photography
