Amáli Jewelry is the brainchild of designer Sara Freedenfeld, who took inspiration from her travels in South America, incorporating intricate patterns of woven chain that resemble the macramé textile craft she learned from an artisan in Chile.  Since launching her company in 2006, Freedenfeld has gained the admiration of the jewelry world as well as celebrity stylists who choose Amáli jewelry for use in television and print.  She was featured in the JCK Couture show in Las Vegas as a Rising Star in 2008 and was selected by INDESIGN magazine to be part of Generation Next, a hand-picked group of 24 designers representing the future of jewelry design. 

Q: Why did you go to South America?

SF: In college, I majored in Environmental studies and made my first trip to Central America for a summer to study sustainable development in Costa Rica.  My interest in eco-tourism as a possible career path, my love of hiking and all things outdoors, and my newfound passion for learning Spanish inspired my next trip, the following summer to Venezuela, and the year after to Chile. 

Q: Where did you travel to, and for how long? How did you support yourself during your travels?

SF: I first spent 3 months in Costa Rica, followed by 3 months in Venezuela, and a semester in Chile before leaving on a backpacking trip through Peru, and eventually back to Venezuela.  Early on in the semester in Chile, I met an artisan selling his wares on the street outside of the university I was attending.  He made the most amazing jewelry out of bones, seeds, and other natural elements he collected. He used the money he made to help fund the construction of a cultural exchange center for Chileans and the Indigenous Mapuche.  I was fascinated by the way he combined his love of art and passion for social change and I wanted to learn everything I could from him.  I went into the mountains around Valparaiso to collect materials for jewelry making and he taught me the basics of macramé  -- textile-making using knotting rather than weaving or knitting.

When I finished my semester, I left to go backpacking through South America. After a while, my friend and I ran out of money, but we were unwilling to cut our trip short, so we started to sell and trade jewelry for a night in a hotel or a bus ride.  To this day, the most amazing meal I’ve ever had was on a beach in Northern Chile.  We caught our own fish and went into town to trade a necklace for a handful of tomatoes and onions.   We cut open an old tin can we found in the sand dunes and spread it open to use as a pan to sauté our catch.  The fish was gritty with sand but I was happy as a peach knowing that all I had to do was make a necklace and I could feed myself.  It was during this time that I fell in love with the simplicity of sustaining myself by creating something with my own hands.

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

Eventually I found my way back to Venezuela where I met another artisan selling his jewelry on the beach. We had an immediate respect for each other’s work and spent the rest of the day trading skills.  I taught him how to intricately knot strings into jewelry and he taught me how to bend and mold metal.

When I graduated from college, I worked for years as a community organizer working primarily on immigrant and labor rights campaigns.   I loved the work, but  felt like something was missing.  Jewelry was one of many creative outlets during those years.  I think my boss sensed what was going on and sent me an email one day with a quote that really resonated with me: "Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” I have this quote above my desk to this day.  Finally, I was able to give myself permission to make a career out of what I like doing best: making things with my hands.
 
Q: What did you see and how did it affect your design sensibility?

I certainly drew inspiration, especially in my first collection, from the natural landscapes and vibrant textiles that colored my travels through South America.  I have pieces that are reminiscent of waterfalls and riverbeds. I have others that invoke the swirling colors of the ocean or a market full of colorful blankets and knitted sweaters.   

Q: Did your travels inspire your decision to do the kind of design work that you do?

I think part of the reason my collection is so unique is because I was never formally trained as a jeweler.  I figured most of it out on my own and because of this was forced to create unconventional ways of doing things.  Amáli Designs are distinguished by the intricately woven chain used to create rich textures with a lot of movement.  You can see the influence of macramé in my collection because there is an almost fabric or textile appeal to many of my pieces. 

Q: Where did the name of your company come from?

I named my company Amáli after my grandmother, Amália because she embodies the grace, sophistication, and strength that I want to see reflected not only in my designs but also the women who wear them.

 

Thank you for telling us your story Sara! You certainly bear some resemblance to your grandmother with your own courage, strength and ingenuity. We wish you the best of luck!

For Further Information:
Amáli Jewelry
Sara Freedenfeld
sara@amalijewelry.com
781-789-8976
http://www.amalijewelry.com

- CJDG Editorial