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Holistic jewelry
Emmanuella Alcindor has always worked wonders with stones. After she designed and wore her creations to grade school, her neighbors and teachers admired her adornments and asked where she got them. So at the tender age of 11 she sold her first piece of jewelry. "When I realized people liked my designs, I started selling them for $5," she says.
Fourteen years later, after earning a degree in fine arts from Long Island University, the New York native is still at it, producing |
one-of-a-kind pieces in gold, silver, semiprecious stones and crystals for her Emmanuella Designs. Her creations have been sold in Henri Bendel, the chic Fifth Avenue department store, and The Brownstone, an upscale Harlem boutique.
EARLY DESIGNS: "I began taking orders from friends and family members and soon made a living selling my pieces on New York City streets. I used colors inspired by my Haitian roots. I also educated customers about the healing properties of copper and the benefits of rose quartz, a love stone. Eventually doors opened to people and places I had only dreamed of."
TURNING POINT: "While taking a workshop, I met a buyer who told me that Henri Bendel would be interested in my work. I began doing jewelry shows at Bendel's, and the exposure was a turning point in my journey as a designer. I met the wonderful actress Angela Bassett, who bought several pieces; the supermodel Iman has also worn my jewelry. It received national exposure when spiritual-life counselor Iyanla Vanzant wore it on her talk show. My specialty is custom-designed pieces. Prices range from $15 to $800. Some have sold for more than $1,000."
LOOKING AHEAD: "It's fulfilling to guide raw materials toward a new aesthetic. But the most rewarding aspect has been using my craft to connect with people. I've conducted jewelry-making workshops for inner-city schoolchildren through the Liberty Partnership Program since 1995. I'm now pursuing a master's degree in guidance and counseling; my goal is to develop workshops that integrate jewelry and therapy to empower people who've endured hard times and who want to uncover their talent. I hope to show others that they can find freedom and identity through their God-given gifts."
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