Rising Stars: Meet Shae Andrae

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shae Andrae.

Hi Shae, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 
My story begins with a group of my high school girlfriends, several of whom I had lost contact with over the years. We reconnected years later at either our high school reunions and/or via Facebook. There were eight of us, and even though several had since moved out of the area, we felt compelled to get together to catch up on old times, so it was decided we would call ourselves the Sista’s and began to arrange our first Sista getaway in the beautiful Napa wine country. We stayed at a lush golf resort and proceeded to get silly, laugh, and cry while sharing our personal stories, and we maybe got a little tipsy, too, in the process of touring the wineries. We organized many similar wine trips over the next several years creating many more wonderful memories while also reminiscing about our younger years. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Then COVID reared its ugly head and forced us to put the brakes on these fun times. In the meantime, though, these wine adventures had sparked the idea for me to create wine cork key chains for each of the girls using corks we had collected from the varying vineyards we traveled to. I made a special key chain for each of the girls, adding bling and wine bottle charms and other charms that represented their respective lifestyle or hobbies (i.e., one a horse lover, thus horse-themed charms, another runs a dog rescue, so hence dog-themed charms, cancer survivor ribbon charms were appropriate on a couple as well). I sent the girls a surprise package, each with their own special wine cork key chain as a memento of the memories we had created and of the bonds we shared. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve taken a few drawing and painting classes and used the skills I learned to create mostly abstract art, as I enjoy the way the thick oil paint creates the colorful layers and designs as I stroke them on the canvas. While I enjoyed that process, after having made the key chains for my Sista’s, I was inspired to try my creative hand at jewelry making. Over the prior year, I joined a couple of local gem clubs, took several jewelry-making classes, bought a bunch of supplies, and began creating my own unique jewelry under the new business name ‘Jewelry by Shae.’ 

My specialty is chain mail jewelry, which is a process of linking many steel-like metal rings together. It dates back to Middle Ages and used in those days to generate varying articles of armor, which were worn as protection by Warriors during their times at battle. I’m bringing forth the concept to current day by using the “Wear It As A Warrior!” theme as a metaphor for those of whom have experienced any kind of battle, whether it be a health battle, a domestic battle, or any other type of hardship one may be faced with the following concept of “Wear It As A Warrior Jewels of Armor, Jewelry by Shae” as a way to inspire courage and hope and to honor those who continue to fight, for those of whom we’ve lost and for those of whom continue to support with all their love” (i.e., survivors, supporters and those who have succumbed). 

My creations include metals of gold, silver, copper, aluminum, colorful rainbow, textured or other chain links to create a beautiful jewelry design concept, and rather than making armor; I’m instead creating beautiful modern-day necklaces, earrings, bracelets, anklets, boot bling, hat bands, rings, etc. 

I’ve recently added wire wrapping to my jewelry-making repertoire as well. I’ve been quite prolific in my creations and have sold several pieces at a few local vendor shows over the past year since I started my business just over a year ago. These events have allowed me the opportunity to make some wonderful connections, too of which have perpetuated many more opportunities to present my jewelry at past and future upcoming shows as well. 

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a painfully shy girl growing up. I remember, at a young age, though, being compelled to help those in need (a passion of mine that continues to this day). My first experience with this was when the elementary school I attended offered the students an opportunity to raise money for the March of Dimes organization. We were encouraged to seek monetary donations from family members, friends and even reaching out further by knocking on neighbors’ doors in an effort to get them to donate matching funds for the many miles we had committed to completing at a future date in support of the cause. I don’t specifically remember how much I raised, but I do remember I felt really proud that I had honored my commitment to complete my goals in miles and for the money I raised. It also made me realize that my passion for the cause outweighed my shyness. 

I have since participated in many fundraising events in support of many causes ((i.e., ran two marathons for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society… one in Alaska and the other in Italy, I rappelled down a 20-story building in support of Special Olympics, I’ve cycled over 545 miles from San Francisco to LA on two separate occasions in support of the AIDSLifecycle organization and participated in many other events). I’m also very passionate about giving back to my community by volunteering my time at special needs events, procuring silent auction items, gala planning committees, etc. I find participating in the volunteer events to be a very rewarding experience. 

Contact Info:

• Website: http://etsy.com/shop/ShaeArtist
• Instagram: @shaeart523