A Baltimore jewelry company that has gotten national exposure will expand its retail presence in the coming year.
American Estate Jewelry will expand its retail presence to Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Texas, Atlanta, and Chicago, hopefully by the end of the year to catch Christmas sales, founder Carolyn O'Keefe says. Next year, O'Keefe says she hopes to sell the jewelry in London and Paris. She also hopes to sell in a Baltimore store.
The company's trademark silver cuff has been featured recently in
RobbReport.com and O magazine, which featured actress Mandy Moore sporting the bracelet.
American Estate sells bracelets, brooches, and pendants, which start at $400.
The jewelry is made using a technique known as repousse, in which a metal design is crafted by hammering from the reverse side.
American Estate's line is sold in a handful of places now, including the Tiny Jewel Box in Washington, D.C., and Works Gallery in New York. The jewelry is also sold on the company's
website.
"The designs are so timeless," O'Keefe says. "It's not a trendy thing I've got to hop on right away."
O'Keefe started the company out of a desire to create heirloom quality silver jewelry in honor of her mother who used to wear an antique silver cuff. She teamed up with New York jewelry designer Michael Galmer, who worked at Tiffany & Co. for 20 years.
"There's a time commitment so many aren't willing to make," O'Keefe says of the artisan jewelry. "I hope it's something I can pass onto my children."
Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Carolyn O'Keefe
Photos courtesy of Carolyn O'Keefe