It would take at least 40+ pages to give a full and accurate account of who world traveller Andrea N. is; and of all the things she’s done with her 40+ years on this planet. So, because it’s really all you want to know about her in relationship to this website, this is her life - condensed down to jewelry making credentials and what Custom Adornments can do for you. Shall we begin? Ok:

Andrea’s been making jewelry in one form or another since she was 8 years old. One of her first loves, it all started with glue, colored rhinestones and empty spaces in old jewelry. From basic stringing and (electrical) wire wrap rings and bracelets as a young schoolgirl, Andrea eventually started teaching herself Native style loom and off loom bead weaving techniques (from a book - and trial and error).

Though she’s taken two semesters of Metal Arts at community college (the size and expense of the equipment dissuaded her from following that immediate line of jewelry making all those years back but, she is going to be going back to learn more of the fine aspect of Metal Arts soon), and a 2 hour wire wrap workshop, she’s mostly self taught.

Making jewelry on a regular basis since she was 18, Andrea thought it would always be as a hobby, until she was 37. It was 5 months before her 38th birthday. Andrea had recently moved to NYC and, looking for work, stumbled into a jewelry making job through a series of unlikely, but oh so NY story, coincidences. She was hired part time at a small Nolita boutique that had been open for just one year. A store that made all the jewelry on site, did custom work, repair and restringing. That store was pearldaddy.

After two months she was working full time and managing the store, after a year, she was designing most of the new collections. After six years, she’d developed her skills in stringing, knotting, wire work and design beyond a point she ever thought she’d reach. Though, with infinite numbers of technique still to learn and discover, she's always trying to learn and develop new styles and techniques.

Of course, jewelry isn’t her only creative outlet. Andrea’s first love is dance. She’s studied dance most of her life and was a member of the Contemporary Dance Ensemble in college where she also taught technique classes and choreographed. She dabbles with various forms of music, has written (and performed) poetry and articles for publication, plays with cameras, runs with scissors, and can sometimes be found choreographing to music her partner makes as well as writing words to go with his illustrations - which will all be made public in due time.

With so many interests, it seems Andrea is always heading out in all directions. That’s probably why a long time hobby turned into a serious career changing opportunity in 2003. That's when she began my current incarnation as a "professional" jewelry maker, almost by accident. Andrea had been attempting to work in Mass Media with small progress. So, she started a part time job that turned into a partnership in a little handmade jewelry boutique and art gallery known as pearldaddy. Working where all the jewelry and accessories are made by the staff and custom work is a big part of the job, she came to the conclusion that making specific pieces for specific people is not only the most enjoyable part of jewelry design but, also what Andrea feels she's truly best at. With so many of the pearldaddy customers urging her to break out on my own, when pearldaddy came to a close in the Spring of 2009, she gave it a go. Thus Custom Adornments was born.

For the custom jewelry part of this business, Andrea currently has two specialties.

The first one she likes to call: Keepsafes. If you give her your special little things, she’ll give you back a wearable treasure.

We all have tiny gifts, found objects, hand-me-down memorabilia and trinkets that mean a great deal to us. Small things that sit on shelves or in baskets on shelves (or in boxes on dressing tables or in closets) that remind us of special places or people. Little things that are easily lost and difficult to display, but we keep them so we can always remember. Let Andrea help you keep these things safely close to your heart by having them turned into jewelry (or other types of adornments) for you or someone else you treasure!

The second one is more on the commercial side for other small business owners, also specializing in handcrafted items, that would like jewelry specifically made to work with their own creations. Custom Wholesale is for anyone wanting quantities larger than a couple or even more than a few, but who still want each one to be unique or very limited in number.

Of course, there’s a lot more to offer and so Andrea does. How about a little beading vacation? Or a some instructional party favor making? Group classes? Special requests? Just let her know and she’ll do her best to help you with all your jewelry needs - even if it’s by referring you to someone else she knows can help you better. It’s important that you look as good in as you feel about everything Custom Adornments (or even her friends) makes!