It is my pleasure to feature an accomplished designer as the Brand Champion of the Day. Andria Palange is the owner of Andria's Serendipity and the designer of one of the most distinct approaches to jewelry design I have been introduced to. I have heard of using found objects before, but the material that Andria uses is unlike that I have been exposed to before. She uses sea glass as a primary focus of her work. Here is what Andria has to share with us about her distinctive work and her brand.
"Someone once described my designs as 'creating art in the overlooked.' An apt description that I believe captures my designing endeavors. As my business name always includes the word 'serendipity,' I enjoy delightfully surprising people with a unique re-purposing of materials that might ordinarily be tossed aside.
"My ‘real’ profession is as a graphic designer, but my true passion is creating with sea glass, broken bits of glass that time and rolling tides have aged and softened, frequently combining it with old, broken vintage jewels and jewelry. Each shard is hand-picked from the shores of New England and the unique shape and color determines its design... a necklace, brooch, frame, bottle stopper ... the possibilities are endless. Once I begin working at home, the design flows like the tide and the piece creates itself.
"There are countless reasons that I pursue my craft. First of all, nothing beats a walk on the beach, it’s pure pleasure for all the senses and is the most natural stress-reliever available. And the thrill of finding a rare or unusual piece is so much fun. There’s also a mystique about the glass as well. Many years ago when ships traveled here from the Orient, they used china as ballast. Once they got close to shore, it was thrown overboard. I often wonder which, if any, of the pieces I find has some mysterious history.
"My 'branding' is true to its origin. As each piece of found glass is unique, so are my designs. I've been approached about the possibility of mass marketing and have declined to follow that route. It's not in keeping with the true concept of uniqueness. And lastly, I feel I’m doing my ‘green’ part in this world of ours ... cleaning up the shoreline one piece of glass at a time."
Andria
That is an amazing story. I love the reference to the multi-sensory branding experience during a stroll along the shoreline. I have not thought about that before, but you are correct. Andria, you are most definitely the Brand Champion of the Day!
Rex Whisman
Andria is fabulous. I wear her jewelry and I'm not only a fan of her company, "Andria's Serendipity", I am a fan of how tireless she is in creating her unique jewelry. It's amazing and pictures do it no justice. She ties her brand in so well and stays true to it!
Posted by: twitter.com/TheDailyBlonde | October 09, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Thank you for such an honor and such generous words, much appreciated!
(note: the correct link is www.andriasserendipity.etsy.com)
Posted by: Andria | October 09, 2009 at 07:40 AM
Cheryl, I completely agree with your assessment. Andria truly understands what it means to be a brand champion. Often times artists and designers think their work is their brand, rather than their name and what their name stands for.
Posted by: Rex Whisman | October 09, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Andria is the best!
JPO
Posted by: Joe | October 09, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Joe, thanks for weighing in. You sound like a champion of her brand!
Posted by: Rex Whisman | October 09, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Thanks Joe and Cheryl, and of course, Rex... I've had lots of wonderful feedback, which is incredibly inspiring!!
Posted by: Andria | October 09, 2009 at 03:23 PM