Meet Pake Stephens

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pake Stephens.

Pake, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
A horse ranch in South Texas is not the first thing that pops to mind when one sees me, but that’s where I got my start. From those humble roots, I have traveled far and wide, being fortunate enough to graduate from Texas A&M University and to see a fair portion of this ever-shrinking Earth. It is from my travels that I gained a love for adornment; every culture has its own unique form. My creations are largely constructed from rarefied and vintage materials that I collect from equally unusual origins. I amass odds and ends from antique shows, junk shops, estate sales, old warehouses, gem shows, foreign destinations, and from the natural world around us. With each new piece of work, I attempt to give fresh life to antiquated styles and materials. I strive to create unique pieces which embolden and empower those who wear them, little bits and baubles that are pieces of armor imparting confidence and splendor. All of my works are one of a kind or a part of a limited series of 10 or less. I want the individuals who wear my jewelry to understand that each piece is special and unique, not cheapened by mass production. It is just me pulling it all together. Just PAKE.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting your own business has to be one of the scariest things. Everything is riding on your own abilities and it feels like any failures are magnified because you’re the only one to blame, at least when you’re operating a one-woman show. I have most likely structured my business all Wrong when you compare me to other jewelry designers and conventional business structures. I don’t create a design and then produce as many of that item as is humanly possible. I create one design with a few variations so that each piece is as unique as possible. I don’t have line sheets or have production of my jewelry done by any other hands than my own. This means that even something as small as my tags are cut out by my hands, embossed with gold embossing powder and then labeled with a handwritten description, all by me. I want people to see those tags and know that the item they are looking at is handcrafted. This ethos has made it very difficult to expand my business because it requires me to have a very hands-on approach with all of my vendors, most of which take my wares on consignment. Since I am a one-woman show, I don’t have budgets for things like advertising or hiring help, plus the concept of outsourcing production just to make an extra buck makes my soul ache. All of my growth has come from word of mouth, person to person sales at art shows and my connections with store owners. One of my largest obstacles has been gaining wholesale clients who purchase outright since I don’t have line sheets and I focus on unique pieces. I guess I’m a bit of a dreamer, raised under an antiquated ideology that if you simply work hard enough and long enough then good things will come your way.

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 satisfy the magpie brain! That part of you drawn to something sparkly, shiny or maybe just a bit strange. I enjoy making people have to look twice. Whether it be employing a baculum (which is a raccoon’s penile bone) or breathing new life into ancient brass hardware, my creations make people pause for a closer look. My grand love is creating couture pieces, but sadly that doesn’t really pay the bills so I have found a nice balance by creating smaller daintier looks with a few bold statement pieces thrown in to keep it interesting. I enjoy using natural elements such as stones and bones but my grand love is African Porcupine Quills. I have created many designs over the years with these pointy pieces as my medium. The thing that I feel sets my line apart from many of the other jewelry options out there is the fact that I create one of a kind and limited series works, not mass-produced pieces that can be ordered in bulk since it’s just me.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is watching my father at work. Whether he is training horses or sculpting bronzes, he does it with his whole heart and soul. Since we were raised almost entirely without television, our parents were our main source of entertainment, so I spent endless hours watching my dad.

Pricing:

• $32-$250

Contact Info:

• Email: justpake@gmail.com
• Website: www.justpake.com
• Instagram: @justpake

Image Credits
Katie Cowden