Chappaqua Small Business Spotlight: Auburn Jewelry

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Auburn Jewelry LLC
Owners: Samantha Levine
Website: www.auburn-jewelry.com
Address: We don’t have a brick and mortar location. I just have a metal studio in my house where I teach. My home address is 2 Courtmel Rd Mt Kisco, NY.

How did you come up with the name?

Auburn is my middle name. I was named after the Auburn Mall in Auburn Massachusetts where my parents spent a good amount of time while attending Clark University. Through out my childhood I actually hated the name and refused to tell people what it was. But when I was launching my business I had a change of heart and decided to embrace it.

Why start a business in this town?

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.

Briefly, what business are you in?

Auburn Jewelry offers a unique line of gorgeous sterling silver, 14K gold, and enamel pieces. Each piece is individually crafted by hand on a made to order basis with superior quality. Auburn Jewelry offers pendants, rings, earrings, cufflinks, keychains, bracelets, tie tacks and most recently, purse charms.

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

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 started teaching out of the Auburn Jewelry studios, which is taking up a good chunk of my time now.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

I have to say that in just two years I have a lot to be proud of. Within the first year in business, Auburn Jewelry was featured in Seventeen, People and I was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter. Most recently I won Westchester Magazine’s Best of Westchester award for Most Talented. But none of these make 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.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

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 shortly after incorporating. We created dog bone and fish pendants to benefit the SPCA. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these pieces is donated to the organization. We also created a custom pendant for Operation Prom where we donate to that organization as well. You can see all of our Gifts that Give Back here: http://auburn-jewelry.com/product-category/gifts-that-give-back/

Not only have we created these charitable pieces of jewelry, I love spending my time mentoring my interns and teaching.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@ patch.com.