Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Arango.
Hi Patricia, I am so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Medellin, Colombia surrounded by art and fashion. My mother was an entrepreneur in the fashion industry, owning multiple clothing boutiques throughout the city. She also collected and had a passion for antiques.
Growing up with these influences had somewhat of an unconscious effect on my interests and design style to this day. In the 1990s, I moved to Paris with my husband and children, immersing myself in the city’s vibrant cultural scene. I took cooking classes, studied fashion, and connected with artists in the community of Colombian and American ex-pats. I visited museums, collected antiques, and explored the city while appreciating its’ incredible architecture.
We relocated to Miami in 2001 which is where my journey with jewelry officially began. I was looking for something to do, some way to stay occupied and make some money when I stumbled upon a bead store and instantly felt a connection. I bought one strand of turquoise beads and one strand of Coral beads. I didn’t know how to match them or how to string beads together, but that didn’t matter. I kept going back, kept learning, buying more and more beads.
I started selling to family and friends, going to school bazaars, and selling to local shops. Little by little I began to build my business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the better part of 20 years, it was just me, myself and I. I’ve had to learn what materials to buy and how to put them together.
I’ve done my accounting, and sales and organized all my events and Trunk shows. I’ve had to learn how to do all the non-fun, non-creative administrative activities that it takes to run a business. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve loved every second of it!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to create jewelry that has meaning. Jewelry that celebrates the fusion of cultures, narrating tales of adventures and deep connections.
I imagine myself walking into a shop in a faraway place and amongst everything finding a box of treasures that fills me with awe. Those are the designs I try to bring to life through my work. My favorite jewel is always the one I’m working on. The process of bringing a new idea to life is what I love.
My most popular designs of the past few years have been braided bracelets, where I mix nylon and silk threads into a braid and combine them with a link or clasp made of precious metals and gemstones.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
More than ever before, people want a personal connection with what they are buying. They want to know the meaning behind a design, who made it, and how each process happens.
People want more handmade and fewer mass-products.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://patriciaarango.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patriciaarangojewelry/
