We recently connected with Sally Lopercio and have shared our conversation below.
Sally, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful projects I’ve worked on help connect me to my local community here in Olympia, WA.
An example: A family had reached out to me after hearing about my upcycled jewelry creations. They had lost their matriarch, a loving Grandma, and in the process of cleaning out her home, stumbled upon a box of broken vintage dishes. Each piece was tied to memories—holiday dinners, birthday parties and long conversations over coffee/tea.
They asked for help in turning these broken pieces into something each grandchild could keep. My first step was confirming that they did not want to keep items in their current condition or try to repair the items. I think it’s important to try to repair damage, if possible, to maintain the original purpose of the item(s). After examining the fragments – it became clear that the shards of plates would be an ideal candidate for repurposing. All agreed that the pieces were ready for creative reuse. The family decided they wanted custom pendants for each member, each reflecting a unique memory of their beloved family member.
I worked meticulously to grind and sand the sharp edges of each shard. I retouched paint & sealer then attached to metal findings. Doing all of this by hand & in stages takes time. Once completed I presented the jewelry to the family members – having transformed brokenness into beauty.
They told me that I had “given them more than jewelry” due to the sentimental nature of the items.
Since starting this journey in 2019, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing many stories such as this & it has been such a privilege for me.
Sally, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a mixed race mama & the creator of Patine Jewelry. As a small business owner, based in Olympia (WA), I repurpose broken & discarded items in effort to turn them into unique pieces of wearable art. I work primarily with damaged pottery, dishware, scrap clay & other second-hand materials.
I sell my jewelry in several local shops in Washington state, have an Etsy shop which currently offers free shipping (U.S. only), & participate in craft markets.
When I was 17 years old I graduated high school & moved that summer to start school at the Art Institute of Seattle. There I was exposed to various arts & crafts as well as professionals in creative industries.
Long before this, some my first memories come from watching my mother making clay pots, featuring purple grapes, in South Korea – where she immigrated from.
Sally
PATINE JEWELRY
patinejewelry.weebly.com
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to transform ideas, emotions, or materials into something tangible that resonates with others. Whether it’s crafting jewelry from broken dishes, painting or writing a story, there’s immense fulfillment in bringing something new into the world that holds meaning.
Additionally, creativity allows for constant learning, and an outlet for managing challenging times, which keeps the process engaging.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Pivoting a small business during the COVID-19 pandemic required adaptability & creativity. Business moved to primarily online & social media vs. in-person. I was fortunate enough to connect w/ other businesses for cross-promotion. The key was to remain flexible, empathetic, and innovative while aligning with the shifting priorities of customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://patinejewelry.weebly.com
- Instagram: @patinejewelry
- Facebook: @patinejewelry
Image Credits
Photos:
Sally Lopercio
Digital Art commissioned for Patine Jewelry marketing:
Lauren (Sumei.Creative)