Today we’d like to introduce you to Danica Stamenic.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Danica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I studied Art History in college and then bounced around between the art and design world before getting into jewelry. I had just moved from Montreal to Oakland and somehow landed a job as the shop manager for this incredible jewelry shop, Esqueleto (they have locations in LA and NY now as well). I fell in love with the craft – jewelry is this amazing mix of fine art, architecture and fashion, in something so small and personal. When I moved to LA, I first landed in Highland Park where I met Julie Ouilette, owner of Charlie Roquette. We bonded over our love of Montreal and vintage. She knew I had some experience sourcing vintage jewelry, so she asked me to curate a collection of heirloom pieces for her shop. I put together my first collection for her in 2017. Out of sheer excitement, I began sharing the pieces I was finding on my personal Instagram, and people started to tune in, asking to buy pieces, so organically that became my main platform as a dealer. Eventually, I quit my full-time job, moved to San Pedro with my husband and our daughter, launched a website and went all-in.
Has it been a smooth road?
Honestly, balancing working from home with also parenting a toddler (and sometimes having no childcare support) was a huge struggle after I quit my job. I’m not sure I have my footing even now, but we make it work! Early on, I also had some big setbacks: said “yes” to some things I shouldn’t have, didn’t listen to my gut, took some big losses. It’s corny but in retrospect, each set back actually led to growth and made me more resilient. You learn how much failure you can take and still make it through the other side. Of course, right now we’re all experiencing a massive struggle, to varying degrees, and learning to adapt and support each other in new ways.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I sell vintage jewelry! Through my website, on Instagram, at pop-up events all over LA. I help couples find their engagement and wedding rings, as well. I research, purity test, and refurbish (as needed) every piece that comes through my shop. Chunky, sculptural mid-century modernist silver is a hallmark of my collection, but I get excited by beautiful craftsmanship from every era. The most important thing to me is how a piece of jewelry interacts with the human body. Jewelry should be comfortable and confidence boosting. I’ve had many customers tell me that I’ve changed the way they thought about silver jewelry, or that they find themselves wearing their old jewelry more now. That’s incredibly high praise to me! If I can get people to look a little closer at the small treasures that surround them, and really enjoy these objects for years to come, that makes me super proud.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I always tell people that Los Angeles was what allowed me to start this business. There is a unique openness within the creative community here. This is just my observation, but as someone raised on the East Coast who’s also lived in other West Coast cities, it really stands out. There’s a sliver of truth to that romantic vision of LA being a place to reinvent yourself, or pursue your dreams (ick… but true!). Your CV matters so much less here. I’ve found it to be more collaborative than competitive, more fun than serious – which is exactly what I need.
Pricing:
- Most of my vintage silver pieces: $100-$400
- Most of my vintage gold pieces: $200-$1,000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danicastamenic.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @danicastamenic
Image Credit:
First (the only one of me): Miro James, Second image: Tiana Petrullo, Third Image: Jason Renaud, Fourth Image: Kait Lucas
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