Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Rubin. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Sandy Rubin Jewelry is the collective work of Orlando-based Artist Sandy Rubin. Sandy earned a bachelor of Fine Art at Florida Atlantic University before moving to NYC to further develop and hone her talents in the jewelry industry by taking classes at an independent jewelry school in Brooklyn. By fully submerging herself into all facets of the trade and working for independent designers and boutique retailers in high-end fashion and vintage & antique jewelry, Sandy honed her eye, hand, and talents over her 10-year tenure in NYC. She also developed close and trusted relationships with suppliers and fellow craftsmen during this time. In 2019, Sandy relocated to Orlando, FL, intending to bring a fresh breath of creativity back to her hometown and fully dedicated herself to her creative vision for the first time in her career. Inspired by nostalgia and our inherent drive for the future, Sandy explores the repetitive motif of the Art Deco era, architecture, and retro-futurism and balances and challenges the traditional themes of femininity and masculinity in jewelry.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It’s been a journey, that’s for sure! I started making jewelry on the side to help keep me balanced while working in the corporate world. I don’t know when exactly, but there was a quiet shift where it became my drive. I did everything I could to immerse myself in the industry, and after several years, I took a leap of faith and quit my job to pursue jewelry full-time. I spent the next few years working 2-3 jobs besides my business. I worked for other designers, Catbird and Pippin Vintage, and took every opportunity possible. After four years, I was so completely exhausted. I moved from NYC back to Orlando and, for the first time, stepped away from my business, not knowing if I would ever return. It was a time of deep reflection since this had been my goal for so long and rocked my world. In hindsight, stepping away was the best thing I could have done for myself and my business, and when I came back, I was organized and ready.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I had a unique upbringing in the industry and am deeply proud. I worked inside NYC’s famed Diamond District and for boutique retailers and designers. I’ve worked in vintage and at the cutting edge of design. This experience speaks to a theme found throughout the collection: dichotomy. It gently celebrates the opposition within our being and the balance that can be found when given the space to exist. This is explored through the lens of Art Deco retro-futurism with a nod to nostalgia for both the past and the promise the future holds for all of us. Our collection is vulnerable yet strong, feminine and masculine, vintage-inspired and modern. It explores the space we do and does not take and how it also takes up space. Lastly, it traverses the inevitable evolution of time.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Find your voice, and then keep finding your voice. Allow for change and evolution, as it’s all a continuous journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sandyrubin.com
- Instagram: sandyrubinjewelry
- Facebook: Sandy Rubin Jewelry
- TikTok: @sandyrubinjewelry
Image Credits
Doe Creative
