Stranded Jewelry invites the woman on the street to strike a pose

When Amelia Deleon set out to attract new clients to her Stranded Jewelry collection, she went with a hands-on approach. The jewelry maker currently sells her wares at craft and fashion markets around Denver, but predominantly works out of her home. But she also wanted the broader reach offered by...

By Bree Davies

June 17, 2011

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $17,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$4,200

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

When Amelia Deleon set out to attract new clients to her Stranded Jewelry collection, she went with a hands-on approach. The jewelry maker currently sells her wares at craft and fashion markets around Denver, but predominantly works out of her home. But she also wanted the broader reach offered by the Internet. Instead of setting up an Etsy-style shop and hoping for the best, however, Deleon took her new and vintage pieces to the people, asking complete strangers on the street to wear the jewelry and pose for her photo blog.

"I'm sort of an introvert, so the whole idea of approaching strangers scared me at first," Deleon says of her own initial man-on-the-street idea. But the artist says not only have people been kind, they have been more than happy to smile for her camera.

Once a week, Deleon will post photo of a new friend wearing pieces from the Stranded collection, along with a mini-profile of the individual. She says it was important to show off the work itself, and the idea that the one-of-a-kind creations were made with all types of jewelry wearers in mind.

Deleon will be out and about all summer, hitting a different neighborhood every week in the hopes of finding new faces to pair with her necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more.

Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

A message from Culture Editor Kristen Fiore: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s vibrant culture and arts scenes.

Support Today