Minding Your Business- Designs by S&R

At Designs by S & R in Orleans, jewelry is more than something beautiful to wear. It’s a chance to create something meaningful, preserve a special memory or transform a treasured piece of jewelry into something entirely new and special. Co-owners Beth Humphrey and Alyson Pacino have built their business around handcrafted jewelry, custom designs and repairs. They are experts at combining traditional metalsmithing techniques with their own stunning artistic styles.

The shop’s history dates back to the 1980s, when founder Stephen Drysdale first opened in Provincetown. After relocating to Orleans, the business eventually settled into its current location around 2005. Humphrey and Pacino, both longtime employees, purchased the business from their mentor in 2013.

“We’d both been working for him for a number of years learning all the ins and outs of the repairs and the custom work,” Humphrey said.

Both women studied jewelry making and metalsmithing, Humphrey at the Rhode Island School of Design and Pacino at UMass Dartmouth. Humphrey said her love of sculpture ultimately led her to jewelry making.

“I was always into sculpture and stuff,” she said. “I was like, well, I like sculpting things, but I like working small. So I guess I’ll go into jewelry!”

About 60 percent of the jewelry displayed in Designs by S&R is impressively made onsite. The shop is warm and welcoming, conveniently located on Route 6A. Walking around the store is like viewing little masterpieces on display, and there are so many unique pieces to pick from.

“We have all different sorts of stuff,” Humphrey said, explaining that each member of the team brings a different artistic approach.

Pacino creates a collection featuring coastal-inspired pieces using pearls, starfish and sea glass. Humphrey gravitates toward more sculptural designs, including intricately carved shorebirds, sea urchins and local landmarks such as Chatham Lighthouse. And longtime employee Jeb Field, who had the amazing opportunity to study metalsmithing at Nauset Regional High School, specializes in handmade chains and enjoys working with molten metals and casting.

Designs by S&R’s extensive workshop allows the team to handle every step of the jewelry-making process in house, from carving wax models and creating molds to casting, polishing and finishing pieces.

“It’s super cool,” Field said of the process. “Some stuff that’s on the simple side, but you don’t know about it until you see it.”

One of the shop’s most popular services is transforming customers’ existing jewelry into new creations.

“A lot of times people will have stuff in their jewelry box that they either don’t like or is worn out,” Humphrey said. “They like the memory, but it’s not something they necessarily want to wear anymore. We’re also happy to reset their stones if they want to reuse stones.”

The shop also maintains an extensive collection of molds, allowing designs to be reproduced for multiple family members or future customers. Humphrey said the store’s individuality extends beyond its jewelry. She explained how Pacino creates displays for the earrings, necklaces and other pieces using shells, recycled paper, driftwood, rocks and other natural materials rather than relying entirely on traditional jewelry stands.

With countless five-star reviews on their website, it is clear how Designs by S&R has become a local destination for unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry and gifts. 

For Humphrey and her team, the greatest reward is creating jewelry that reflects the individuality and stories of the people who wear it. With the holiday shopping season approaching, Humphrey encourages customers interested in custom pieces to plan ahead.

“Everybody’s got the same deadline,” she said, recommending at least a month’s lead time for specialty work. “The more time the better!”

DETAILS:

Designs by S&R

85 Route 6A, Orleans

508-240-3608

designsbysr.com