inPerson
seem like a no-brainer in a
steel town, Azoury said that
everything she uses to make
her jewelry is as local as she
can get. If it’s not local, it’s
made in the U.S.
“I call myself a jewelry
designer, not a jeweler. My
pieces—I design them, and
they are cut in an industrial
setting. Some are also made
of copper and I can do silver
plated and gold plated, but
right now I’m just sticking with
the steel because it’s so true to Pittsburgh and our surroundings,”
she said. “I think one of the main things I try to do is be unique
and I’ve always tried to find, with my sculptures and artwork,
something that hasn’t been done before. I’m just taking a different
process and turning it into jewelry.”
That process lends itself to letting others be part of it as well.
Clients can send their own designs to Azoury via prepackaged
kits that she offers. Azoury can create pieces from the clients’
images, resulting in one-of-a-kind jewelry. Custom jewelry takes
about a month to complete. She’s also getting into home parties,
where groups can collaborate and make an evening out of creating
something unique that will last a lifetime.
Now that her business has taken off, Azoury said she’s at
a point where she’d like to give back as well by helping other
women who are in a similar situation to the one she endured.
“I had a lot of struggles. Being an artist is not easy. Hosting a
party can make a hostess a good bit of money. I also hire women
who help me assemble the jewelry. My goal is to help people get
by and make enough money for all of us,” she said. “When things
happen to you, you realize that little things can go a long way. If
we all bought from local shops, and helped each other a little, we’d
all be better off.”
Because she practices what she preaches, Azoury’s work can
be found in many small, local shops all over western Pennsylvania
as well as outdoor markets and festivals like the Three Rivers Arts
Festival and Handmade Arcade. She also is making a name for
herself online, where she was recently picked up by Fab.com, a
designers showcase site featuring affordable artistic expressions
for every occasion.
Like any entrepreneur, Azoury wants to continue to grow
her business, seeking more trade shows and shops beyond the
three rivers.
Azoury, who is just north of 40 years old, said her path has
been unconventional, but rewarding. And while it wasn’t anything
like she planned for herself decades ago when she was growing up
in Green Tree, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’ve always been very creative and express myself creatively.
I always knew I would be doing something, but I never knew
it would be jewelry,” she said. “I found out quickly how very
intimate jewelry is to people. I get email from people because
one of my pieces struck them in a certain way. I love those stories
and connections.” ■
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