Dream becomes reality for local jewelry designer

A custom "Life Catcher" necklace designed by local artisan Tina Steinberg. The pendant is a collection of life moments captured in silver. (Contributed image)

Local jewelry designer Tina Steinberg has taken her grassroots business and grown it into a well-loved nationally known company.

A long time resident of Temecula, Steinberg came up with the idea for personalized jewelry during a nighttime dream adventure in 2003.  At the time, she had no idea her vision would evolve into a highly sought-after product that spans both the United States and International lines.

“I had a detailed dream one night of a bracelet featuring images of my children,” Steinberg said. “I woke up the next morning and started making the bracelet from my dream.”

Steinberg finished her custom bracelet and began wearing it out and about. People stopped her everywhere she went to inquire where she found the unique bauble adorning her wrist.

Before she knew it custom orders starting pouring in and her business was born. Soon after she was a fixture at the farmers market in Old Town Temecula.

Fast forward nine years later and Steinberg is humming right along with a full-fledged design and production operation with offices in Temecula and Portland, Ore.

In the beginning, she said she mastered the craft of fingerprint impressions set in silver from infants to the elderly, creating special pieces that could be made into pendants and charms.

“While honing the silver craft I was also busy designing an eclectic line of stylish jewelry.”

As people in the community started wearing Steinberg’s jewelry word spread like wildfire and she had to bring on employees to help keep up with the flood of incoming orders.

“Since 2003 I have developed a team of assistants to take on the general workload so I can focus on the design and business aspect of things,” Steinberg explained.

She said as her business has grown there is a trend of people telling and capturing their life stories through custom charms coupled with other intricate pieces that she has created.

“My client’s stories are centered around family, milestones and accomplishments,” she said as she tooled a leather strap. “The moments tend to be important and special parts of their lives they likely captured in photos, but, with my jewelry, they are able to wear as stylish and simple reminders,” Steinberg said.

One such client has run several marathons and climbed Mt. Everest.  Another was featured on the cover of the national magazine, Competitor Magazine wearing one of Steinberg’s signature “Love Touch” necklaces.

“They wear these pieces to remind themselves of what is important and how their inner strength is potent and is always with them.”

As for the future, Steinberg is in the process of developing a line for jewelry stores and a signature line of fine jewelry.

She added that the process of designing jewelry for others brings her great joy and inspiration.

“What delights me most is plain and simple, working for myself and creating and doing what comes from my soul and sharing that with the world.”

Stephanie D. Schulte is a writer/photographer for SWRNN.  She can be reached at stephanie.schulte@swrnn.com