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Transforming beauty and experience into wearable works of art comes easily to Pam Older. The Westchester County resident is enjoying major success in her second career as a jewelry designer, having left a similarly celebrated career in magazine publishing to pursue the path of an artisan.
Older says she finds inspiration from her international travels to such places as Thailand, Japan, Italy, France, Morocco and India, along with the gorgeous colors, textures, and gemstones, she handles daily.
Olders designs have been featured locally and nationally, including an article in "O," The Oprah Magazine, about realizing entrepreneurial success through a passion for what you do. Her passion goes back to her days in college, where she worked part time at a jewelry shop, learning to polish, handle and hammer silver. I was entranced by the jewelry fabrication aspect of the job, Older said in a piece she wrote for More Magazine, and was soon given the chance to learn how it was done.
Despite her success in the publishing world, Older held onto her love for the art of jewelry making. It paid off in spades. After a divorce from her husband of 19 years during a battle with breast cancer, she launched Pam Older Designs, a line of unique, handmade jewelry.
"I love the challenge of being confronted with a problem and working it through," Older writes. "The process of building something, whether it is designing necklace or a business is very satisfying. People like what I do and that is my definition of success. Ill see a woman on the street pass by wearing my jewelry, and Ill smile. Ive built something that works for me. I found a passion and I love what I do."
On Sunday, June 12, Older will host a studio sale at her eponymous atelier, located at 81 W. Garden Road in Larchmont, from 1 to 4 p.m. Shell also show pieces at a fashionable fundraiser for Cecilys Fund, an organization dedicated to helping educated Zambian children orphaned by AIDS. That event will be held June 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the boutique Brigit, at 323 Mamaroneck Ave. in Mamaroneck.
Do you know a local designer or entrepreneur with an inspiring story? Email me at mmorelli@mainstreetconnect.us.
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