Some people dream of making a name for themselves in the world.
Many fail. Few succeed.
Some people dream of making a name for themselves in the world. Many fail. Few succeed.
But that dream may become a reality in the near future for former Morgan Hill School District employee Lee Cunningham, who recently released her own line of jewelry, entitled “Your Heritage Collection.”
Although the jewelry was just launched recently, it could make a splash on QVC in the near future, according to Cunningham, who was Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Services for more than 10 years while working in for the Morgan Hill School District.
Cunningham thinks she may have stumbled onto something big with her partner, Cupertino jeweler Vardy Shtein, after talking to an older Italian woman a few years ago.
The idea for the jewelry first came about when Cunningham starting up a conversation with the older Italian lady after seeing her wearing a nana around her neck.
The lady told Cunningham she couldn’t find anything else to show her background and said she would “give anything” to showher ethnicity and heritage.
Cunningham walked away from the conversation thinking there isn’t anywhere to find what the lady wanted, and credits the woman with planting the seed in her head that helped start the jewelry line.
And when she went to Shtein, who has been a jeweler for 33 years, he jumped at the idea and became her partner in the Heritage Collection company, designing the jewelry.
“I thought it was a very, very good idea because everyone in the United States came from someplace else,” said Shtein, who is from Estonia. “Everybody would like to be identified by their heritage because it’s a lot of information in good culture and good stories.”
The jewelry includes a heart-shaped Infinite style necklace that molds to an individual’s neck, gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks and gold and silver-plated pendants of different countries, which can be attached to any of the bracelets or necklaces.
“We wanted to do something very simple and elegant that young people and older alike, females and males would be able to wear,” Shtein said. “I designed it so it would be beautiful, but at the same time, functional.”
Cunningham said they wanted to have fine jewelry that was affordable and would allow people to show they are proud of who they are.
Each little pendant comes with a book-shaped box, which features a story and history about the people of the country, written both English and in the native language. The designer of the jewelry’s packaging, San Jose State University advertising professor George Coakley, also created the packaging for the Pet Rock, which was popular years ago.
“We feel very strongly that the product should be made in America,” Cunningham said. “That way we can help people here.”
While the pendants come in a book-shaped box with history about the country, the Infinite style necklace comes in a presentation bag with a legend of a country.
The jewelry includes a flag pendant surrounded by bands of gold and silver. It was designed to show an individual’s pride and love for their heritage, Cunningham said.
“When the flag of a country – the most respected temple – is bordered by bands of silver and bands of gold, it’s no longer representation of a country,” she said. “It’s a representation of who you are.”
Because of the fact that the U.S. is a melting pot and so many people have left their culture to come here, Cunningham said that makes their heritage that much more important to them.
“We’re a component of everything,” she said. “I think the pride in your roots, the pride in your ancestors, the linkage of family – it just breathes happiness.”
Aside from all that, Cunningham said the jewelry is also a great conversation starter.
The merchandise can be found locally at the Morgan Hill Car Wash and Gift Shop on Monterey Road and Edes Court, just north of Tennant/West Edmundson avenues. Prices range from $12.50 to $37.50.
Nancy Foster, who owns the Car Wash along with her husband, Bob, said she wears some of the jewelry herself and said sales have been pretty good thus far. She has already had to place a second order.
“I think the Infinite necklace itself is very attractive,” she said. “And it’s fun to recall your own heritage.”
Foster said the shop carries heritage jewelry from Sweden, Norway, Mexico, parts of Great Britain, Israel and Germany but not Portugal or Asia – yet.
If all goes well, Shtein said the availability of the jewelry will expand and it could eventually be found in other stores.
