The story of Angele Paesch is not just about making jewelry, it is about the power of passion for art and the strength of will of a mother on a mission. During the height of the pandemic, when uncertainty and fear prevailed, Angele set a goal for herself. She learned and mastered the art of jewelry making, and thus her brand Piña by A&E was born. Today, she is more confident than ever in the steps she has taken, creating unique pieces for each client.
"During the years I have worked in jewelry, I discovered that my passion was to create a more significant work of art that could symbolize a modern, yet classic person at the same time. I wanted to create my own brand of jewelry, but not just a common brand but one that can represent Aruba, the island and culture where I was born. During the pandemic, I studied and practiced until I learned how to make my own jewelry pieces. The pandemic taught me patience, hope, creativity, and faith."
Just as everyone has a story to tell, so can every piece of jewelry. With this in mind, the process begins with Angele. "I enjoy creating a story with every piece I make, a story of my ancestors and a story of the person wearing the jewelry. I enjoy making something unique and stylish, creating pieces that, as delicate as they appear, still manage to strengthen some aspect of someone's personality.
First of all, I collect inspiration from the natural world and our culture. After that, I sit down and start sketching out pieces inspired by the forms until I reach the perfect shape. The process that follows involves selecting the precious stones that best complement the design, and then I get to work creating the final piece."
How long can it take to create a piece? "To be honest, it can take from 30 minutes to several weeks, it all depends on the size of the piece and the inspiration. Sometimes I have an idea in my head for a week or two, but the execution can slip through my fingers until something gives me inspiration on how to make it.
"I believe that there are two things that set us apart from other jewelers on the market: Personalization and Quality. Since I do a lot of my work in the store, the buyer has much room to be involved in the creation process. The customer is always welcome to come in and give their input during the creation of any piece. Our quality stands out because all our pieces are handmade locally with high-quality materials.
I primarily use semi-precious stones like Amethyst, Crystal, Opal, Pearl, Rose Quartz, Turquoise, Onyx, and Agate, and high-quality metal, achieving a balance between beauty and accessibility. I think people like to stand out from the crowd, and our unique pieces really help you to do that. Especially nowadays when everything is at your fingertips, having something you know is unique feels special.
"I think that it's very important to feature and support local artistry, especially in such a globalized world. It's really vital for us to stick together and not send all our hard-earned money abroad.
"I feel that the jewelry industry isn't so much of a men's club, but many of the challenges I faced came from the time when I decided to open my business. Opening a jewelry business during a time when people were not really dressing up was a struggle, but we managed, and now we are thriving! The main change for me now, as my own boss, is that I can offer each customer what they need without fear or pressure. A challenge I have been facing in this area is creating boundaries between my business and personal life.
I have discovered that as your own boss, the innovation of your business rests solely on your shoulders. Thus my mindset has shifted to a kind of pragmatic wanderlust, where I am constantly searching for new sources of inspiration while staying grounded in what can be realistically achieved.
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