We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sara Mizrachi. Check out our conversation below.
Sara, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I always find that the way back to myself is through sitting at my studio desk. My passion for designing has been a near constant in my life from childhood to having 3 children of my own, and it is my favorite place to lose myself.
I love turning off the “mom/wife/everything for everybody” brain and tap back into “Sara”.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! My name is Sara Mizrachi and I am the self-taught jewelry designer behind Sara Sela Jewelry, a woman owned small batch jewelry company based in Skokie, IL.
I loved making jewelry as a kid, some of the fondest childhood memories I have are when I made jewelry for my mom and she was always so overjoyed to receive her newest pieces of jewelry.
When I was 13, I was making jewelry with my friend and she was elated about what I had made, and this made me realize that I could make OTHER people happy with my jewelry. I began to teach myself how to work with different materials, how to create connective pieces, how to secure necklaces and make earrings.
At 17, I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC for Jewelry Design and I started falling in love with the colors, shapes and textures of gemstones and metals of all kinds, so when I turned 18, I opened my jewelry business and dove deeper into my skills.
When I was 22, everything changed when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent surgery that left me with a sensitive scar on my neck. I could no longer wear my full statement pieces and needed to make something simpler I could wear that wasn’t so heavy. I loved jewelry too much to give it away and I loved creating too much to stop. Being without it was not an option.
So, then I realized I could take my love of combining shapes, colors and textures to create simple statement pieces that elevate everyday looks, and now these timeless statement pieces help you to feel confidently styled, even on your busiest days!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
So I have always been one to design and create based on a single moment. I could build up so much inventory so quickly, but I’ve realized that those designs don’t hold enough purpose; I want to create designs that I make me stop and admire my own work and say “these must be photographed and posted on social media right now!” and that make me want to immediately make them available for sale.
I want every one of my pieces stand out and truly encapsulate Sara Sela Jewelry. Inspired by nature, simple and timeless.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My biggest hurdle has been to separate any financial success with my self-worth. It’s been a part of my life for a long time; sharing any successes, whether it be from a market I sold at, even the joy I found at work as a Kindergarten TA, but then being asked “so how much money did you make”, “how much do you make”, judging my answers, and then I would feel so deflated and suddenly my successes meant nothing.
NO ONE has the right to not only ignore your wins, but to judge them. DO NOT give anyone that power! I have been doing a lot of work over the last few years to take those kinds of questions with a grain of salt and to not let money dictate how much I am worth as a person and the all the successes I’ve worked my a** off to have!
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
To me a fad is anything that loses its interest and novelty quickly. It’s fast fashion, pieces that are sold everywhere but then disappear in a matter of months. That is not what I design jewelry for. I want to dig through older inventory of jewelry that I’ve put away for some reason, pull out a necklace and say “how did you get here, you’re gorgeous!” I don’t believe anyone should spend their energy on things that won’t bring them joy years down the line.
I’ve been designing for a long time, evolving and changing the materials I use to fit with not only my aesthetic, but a real need to be versatile and sustainable. I had to pivot to more affordable ways to produce jewelry not only for myself, but for my customers, which I learned during the recession in 2008. I have to add that it fatefully coincided with my thyroid cancer diagnosis, so I truly double downed on my new designs! It started the journey I am still on today; to create pieces that are simple, beautiful, and make you feel confident.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I truly feel like my business and making jewelry are my purpose and part of my soul! Even decades later it still calls to me and resonates deep within me. Building my business brings me great joy, even the boring parts like making spreadsheets lol.
No one told me to start making jewelry, I can’t even remember the first time I was given beads, but once I started, I never stopped!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarasela.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraselajewelry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraselajewelry
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/saraselajewelry
www.faire.com/direct/saraselajewelry
Image Credits
for the leaf hairpin photo only : manuphotobranding
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
