Mokena Resident Starts Jewelry Business

When Mokena resident Gina Chinino sees expensive boutique jewelry, she thinks “I can do better.”

Chinino started wrist candie, an online business where she sells her handmade bracelets, in October. Her goal in creating wrist candie was to offer a low-cost, college-friendly alternative to high-price boutique items.

“She has passion, traction and vision,” said her father, Michael Chinino, in an email to Patch . “When she starts a project she sees it through.”

Chinino, who works in consumer marketing for a Chicago public relations firm, began making bracelets during the summer of 2012. She describes her work as diverse, but bohemian. All of the bracelets are named after people in her life or places she’s been.

She uses a wide range of materials, including gems, hemp, leather, linen, pearls, wood and even the fabric of her own clothing to create the bracelets. Chinino has sacrificed more than one shirt for the sake of her craft.

“I love seeing an end product,” said Chinino.

Chinino said she was interested in creating a business online because she feels that online retail is where the future of shopping is headed. She has looked into appearing at local festivals and is interested in possibly selling her jewelry at stores in the future. She is also expanding into unisex wristwear.

All of Chinino’s bracelets retail for $13. There is no added cost for shipping. To find out more about wrist candie, visit the business’s website or find wrist candie on Facebook .

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