Auburn Jewelry: Chappaqua Small Business Spotlight

CHAPPAQUA, NY — Every one has a story worth sharing with the community. And that's the belief behind this series — to shine the spotlight on local businesses, specially to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well. Meet Samantha Levine of Auburn Jewelry.

Business: Auburn Jewelry LLC
Owners: Samantha Levine
Website: www.auburn-jewelry.com
Address: We don't have a brick and mortar location. I have a metal studio in my house in Chappaqua

Question: When did your business open?

Answer: May 2013

Q: How did you come up with the name?

A: When thinking of a name for my new business I went with my middle name, Auburn. Growing up I had always hated it because “it wasn’t a real name,” I’d tell people. But once I was an adult it was actually fortuitous that my parents gave me a quirky middle name. Now I embrace it!

Q: Why start a business in this town?

A: I grew up in Chappaqua and lived here since I was nine years old. I attended Bell Middle School and Horace Greeley (where I learned how to make jewelry.) I love living here; I couldn't imagine having my business anywhere else. While I was attending law school I relocated back to Chappaqua and at the same time I launched Auburn Jewelry. Since graduating I've been living and working in Chappaqua.

Q: What business are you in?

A: I view myself as part of the accessories industry but I am really in the business of making people happy with one-of- a-kind pieces that they can’t find elsewhere.

Q: What's the most difficult challenge you've faced starting a new business?

A: The biggest challenge I face while running Auburn Jewelry is balancing my time between making jewelry, filling orders, running the business and most recently, teaching. I absolutely love to manage our social media accounts, photograph the pieces and work on our website. Sometimes I find it difficult to pull myself away from the computer. There are also times when I am working in the studio on pieces till 2 a.m. And on top of all that, I have been teaching private lessons out of the Auburn Jewelry studio, which is taking up a good chunk of my time.

Q: What's one highlight you've had since opening?

A: One of the biggest highlights since we launched in 2013 has been partnering with one of our all-time favorite brands, J.Crew to host pop-up shops. Our first show was in December as part of their worldwide initiative, The Artisan Series. It was so successful that they invited us back for a Valentine’s Day pop-up. But none of this makes me happier than when one of my students finishes a piece of jewelry and they are so proud of the work they accomplished. It's amazing to see them improve their skills and walk away with a piece of art that they not only designed but also handcrafted and can't wait to wear.

Q: How does your business give back to the community?

A: From the very beginning, Auburn Jewelry has been giving back to the community. We launched our SPCA of Westchester line in the summer of 2013. We created dog bone and fish pendants to benefit the SPCA. More recently we partnered with BluePath Service Dogs, donating a portion of the proceeds from each BluePath piece to the organization. We also created a custom pendant for Operation Prom, a Westchester based non-profit. You can see all of our Gifts that Give Back here.

PHOTO/ contributed