ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Sandy Dans and Stevie D’Andrea

• Tell us a little bit about your shoppe.  Jewels For Hope creates unique handmade jewelry and donates portions of their profits to several major organizations. This one-of-a-kind jewelry company was founded by Sandy D’Andrea in 2009 after her experience as a caregiver for nearly a decade for her mother, who was afflicted with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Sandy, a free-spirited, loving wife & mother of three girls (and two black labs), is a self-taught jewelry designer who believes that “giving back” is most important. Sandy’s eldest daughter, Stevie Lynn, joined the company in early 2010 and has learned the art of jewelry design from Sandy. Graduating from The Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Advertising & Marketing Communications, Stevie also handles the promotion of Jewels For Hope, showing Sandy the ins and outs of social media marketing. At Jewels For Hope you will find the classic style of Audrey Hepburn, the bohemian look of Janice Joplin, and the sassy feel of Betsey Johnson, all made from the heart!

• What is your favorite product in your shoppe and why?  We each have a favorite! Sandy is fond of our Teal Swarovski Crystal Bracelet, while Stevie’s favorite is the Pink and White Necklace with Vintage Flower.

• When you’re not handcrafting your beautiful jewelry and donating to your favorite charities, what are your hobbies?   When not designing… which actually doesn’t leave us much time, one of Sandy’s favorite things to do is to go hear her husband’s band play. There is nothing better then a night out with your friends and family, listening to great music, and drinking a nice cold beer! Stevie also agrees with her mother (substitute wine for beer, LOL) but also enjoys sitting home relaxing, reading a good book, and trying not to get distracted by Twitter.

• What do you like best about The Artisan Group?  {Sandy}: I am learning so much!! I love reading everyone’s posts and supporting everyone. {Stevie}: I love that everyone is so supportive. I feel whenever I have a question, everyone will help and try and answer. Two heads are better than one, and so on and so on, and with The Artisan Group, you get 400+ people that are all there for you. Like a close knit family – minus the drama 🙂 Without TAG we would not be where we are today – so THANK YOU!

Sandy and Stevie will participate as a display participants in the upcoming luxury celebrity gift lounge on January 13-14, 2012 at the L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in honor of the The 2012 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters.