Kelly Mazzotta, a California girl, moved to Miller Place with her husband Brian and their family six years ago and has brought her unique California inspired handcrafted jewelry to the East Coast.
"I went to school for interior design, but my interest in jewelry-making really started when at 18," she said. "I had my wisdom teeth pulled and on the way home I stopped and bought beads."
Her company, Kelly M. Jewels, was conceived when she was asked to host a jewelry party at her home for an established company. Her husband Brian asked, "Why would you host one for someone else, when you make your own?"
With Brian's encouragement, Kelly hosted a jewelry party with family and friends.
"It took off from there," she said. "I had enough jewelry to fill the table."
Mazzotta jewelry has an earthy fluidity. Her raw materials are semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls. She uses 14k gold and sterling silver that she hammers and coils to form one-of-a-kind pieces. She even cuts her own chains.
"As girls we want to go to parties and not break the bank, so I make pieces you can keep forever, but still keep buying," she said
One day in church, she had the realization that there were young girls that were not so fortunate. The pastor spoke about an organization called LOVE146 that actively tries to abolish child sex slavery and exploitation worldwide.
"I decided that when I incorporated I would give a portion of my income to the cause," she said. "So I faithfully tithe 10 percent of my income and always include a LOVE146 package with each sale."
146 refers to the number pinned on a young girl found by undercover agents in a brothel. She is a symbol that represents the estimated 1.2 million children trafficked throughout the world.
"The stories are heart wrenching but amazing at the same time," she said. "They help children find safe and recovery homes, give them therapy and then send them back into the world, to live better lives. One young girl is now grown with her own family."
You can find Kelly's creations at in Miller Place or inside in Rocky Point where she is showcasing accessories for proms, weddings and special occasions.
