Graduating with one major doesn’t mean a student can’t break out and do something different later in life — just ask Lauren Weiner, entrepreneur and University philosophy alumna.
Weiner went from nanny to in-demand jewelry designer in just eight months.
After experimenting with jewelry-making as a hobby, Weiner’s designs were discovered through her cousin.
“I actually started just playing around with jewelry about eight months ago. … I gave a piece to my cousin,” Weiner said. “This stylist saw it, and it all kind of happened from there.”
Through her recent success, Weiner will participate in New Orleans Fashion Week, which begins March 21.
She said her pieces will pay homage to British aristocratic style.
“I am planning on using a lot of color and geometric shapes and patterns for the show,” Weiner said. “I want to incorporate that with an Elizabethan Age style with pearls and stuff. It’ll be like ’80s meets Queen Elizabeth.”
Weiner said she got her keen sense of style from her mother.
“I grew up with a mom who had exquisite taste for jewelry,” Weiner said. “It’s something sort of timeless. … Jewelry is something that can gain worth.”
In her first piece, Weiner recycled her old jewelry to create a new piece with meaning.
“My grandfather’s old lieutenant’s badge was the first thing I ever used to make a bracelet,” Weiner said. “There’s a rich story behind pieces of jewelry. That’s why I like it.”
Weiner said the history of jewelry is what attracts many people to invest in it.
“I only use vintage pieces,” she said. “They’re really unique when you find them from different areas and time periods.”
Weiner said she finds most materials at flea markets and antique stores.
“I’m more drawn to gold, but I really like it finding different rhinestones to use,” Weiner said.
Many of Weiner’s pieces cost about $100, but some have sold for as much as $800. Those pieces are more elaborate with more expensive materials and took more time to create, Weiner said.
Baton Rouge boutiques Head over Heels and Stella’s Boutique sell Weiner’s jewelry.
She said she was shocked and elated with the support from the Baton Rouge community.
“The Baton Rouge community in general, they’ve just taken it and loved it,” Weiner said. “I did not expect my jewelry to be welcomed as much as it was. I’m just still surprised it has turned into a career for me.”
Weiner’s designs haven’t escaped the notice of other artists.
“Steel Magnolias are really big in Nashville, and they bought a piece,” Weiner said. “And of course Sixpence None the Richer, who sang that song ‘Kiss Me.'”
Weiner’s jewelry is versatile and can be worn with just about anything, said Meghann Green, fashion merchandising senior and a friend of Weiner’s.
Weiner’s personality shines through her jewelry, Green said.
“She’s very creative, and I’ve never seen her dedicate so much time to one thing like this,” Green said. “Her pieces are random, but they are really cool.”
Weiner said she learned that trying to make pieces she thought other people liked didn’t work. She then began to incorporate her own personality and style into each piece.
“The hardest part about it is evolving with people and their style,” Weiner said. “You can’t get too invested in what other people want, but you have to keep it in mind. … I have to put myself in every piece I make. It has to be something I know I like.”
 
 
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