BLING IT ON !
Pickleball enthusiast Voytek Stradomski creates beautiful , high-quality pickleball jewelry for players .
Everyone knows pickleball isn ’ t just a sport — it ’ s a lifestyle . And if you ’ re looking for a little pickleball bling to wear on and off the court , lifelong jeweler Voytek Stradomski has got you covered .
A pickleball fan himself , who is ranked 3.5 to 4 “ on good days ,” Stradomski began creating custom pickleball jewelry at the request of a friend . “ A good friend mentioned his wife wanted a pickleball pendant with her birthstone — diamonds — but he couldn ’ t find one anywhere . There were pendants online in silver and pewter but nothing in gold or platinum ,” Stradomski says . “ So I made it for him , and his wife loved it and showed it off to friends and family , and the jewelry just grew from there .”
Today , Stradomski has nearly 30 pieces of custom pickleball jewelry available on his website , pickleballgoldjewelry . com . Stradomski expects his newly launched site to
grow over time , just as word-of-mouth referrals have expanded his jewelry business .
Stradomski says everything he does is customized and made with the finest-quality gold and platinum — as well as his fine craftsmanship .
“ I do everything myself ,” he says . “ I make the master , then the mold , cast it , set the stones , set the accents and polish it . I can set diamonds or birthstones .”
If gemstones aren ’ t your thing , Stradomski can set 14K gold or platinum pickleballs where stones would normally be placed . In addition to pickleball paddle pendants and necklaces , Stradomski designs pickleball rings , earrings , pins , money clips , key chains , tie clips and cufflinks .
Stradomski offers his jewelry as an alternative to traditional tournament trophies . A piece of custom pickleball jewelry is more personal and can be
worn while playing the game — and it won ’ t collect dust on a shelf !
And while jewelry is Stradomski ’ s first love , playing pickleball in Orange County , California , is his second . “ It ’ s the most fun and social sport you can imagine . It ’ s an affordable addiction . You only need time and a paddle .
“ Once I played with my friend ’ s 6-year-old son ,” Stradomski says . “ Our opponents thought , ‘ Here ’ s a grandpa and a little boy .’ They gave us sympathetic looks and started to play very gently . But the kid had a surprise for them — he was smooshing every ball — and we beat them ! Now my little friend is famous in Newport Beach . I ’ m pleased to see young kids taking up the sport . They play with such finesse and aren ’ t worried about missing the ball .” •
For more information , visit pickleballgoldjewelry . com .
MARCH / APRIL 2018 | MAGAZINE 49