Patricia Lynn Hanrahan, the jewelry designer behind the brand, considers bakelite to be a superior medium for its color and distinctive feel. “My jewelry reimagines vintage bakelite with bursts of color, and adornments such as inlay, 14k gold or sterling silver, and gemstones.” Sanding through the patina formed over the years to uncover a piece’s original color is particularly satisfying, as the years melt away to reveal surprising colors underneath.
“Vintage bakelite hails from the 20’s through the 50’s, so when you wear bakelite, you carry a piece of history with you.”
I inherited some red bakelite pieces from my grandmother, which sparked my interest in the material. I learned about metalsmithing through the years, so when I was ready for a second career, I naturally turned to jewelry, and my obsession with bakelite grew. I began a self-taught journey to perfect my bakelite techniques. So few people work with bakelite. There’s no one to teach a class in how to handle it. I learned through trial and error, along with a good bit of Googling.
The results of my love affair with bakelite are presented here in this shop. I hope you enjoy seeing them. My hope is that each piece will bring a special joy to the owner.