At 4 or 5 years old, Brittney Rutigliano remembers making bracelets for the lunch ladies and selling them for a $1 each. Despite sometimes getting up to $7 — a gold mine for someone at her age — she would donate the funds to various charities her parents supported.

Some things never go out of style.

Rutigliano, a junior selected studies in education major, now sells her handcrafted jewelry pieces at J. Michael, among other stores in Long Island and online. Each item donates 15 percent to pediatric cancer research, such as to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

As someone with a passion for jewelry, she’s always realized how much some items broke the bank. She challenged herself to make items cheaper, especially for a college student’s budget.

Last December, The Alyse Collection was born. Ranging from earrings to necklaces to bracelets, the items contain semi-precious stones from disclosed locations around New York City, and usually a charm that symbolizes good luck, such as an elephant with a trunk up or a Buddha.

A friend who works at J. Michael recommended that she show her pieces there, and after showing them to the owner, they now sit in a glass case on the front counter behind the sunglasses. She credits her initial success to the store and its support.

“It really helped guide me to want to continue,” she said. “If I didn’t have them, then I probably wouldn’t have this business. They made me even more motivated … I can’t thank them enough.”

In charge of all levels of social media such as Facebook and Instagram, and her website, in a year’s time she wants to not only expand the stores she’s in, but also expand her online presence.

And at around 11 p.m., one would find her hunched over, working on the items, which take no more than 45 minutes each. But, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I guess some people are a midnight baker, I’m a midnight jewelry person,” she said.

Published on September 6, 2012 at 2:24 am

Contact Colleen: cbidwill@syr.edu