From competition came collaboration.
Susette Mason and Jule Hanford, both jewelers for 12 to 18 years, decided not to work against each other. They opened a business together: Patinaz, at 400 Pine St.
Hanford originally owned Jules Artwear and Mason originally owned Simply Sterling Designs. They picked a location downtown where they could showcase the handcrafted jewelery they both design. They wanted to use Alabaster Coffee Roaster and Tea Co., 410 Pine St. for "inspiration." When they discovered a vacant building near the coffee shop, they utilized it.
Article Photos
ALYSSA?MURPHY/Sun-Gazette
Susette Mason and Jule Hanford, left, sell jewelry from Patinaz, their shop on Pine Street.
"The beginning of the year, we wanted to simplify." Mason said. "We got excited what this space could be. It's an artistic building."
Patinaz opened June 3, the first Friday of the month, so they could participate in First Friday, an artistic event that takes place in downtown Williamsport.
Their first month had been successful, in thanks to customers following their previous jewelers to their new location. Mason previously had a kiosk at the Lycoming Mall, which helped familiarize her with the customers that she later brought to Patinaz.
Fact Box
Patinaz
400 Pine St.
447-8959
Hours:
Tues. and Thur. - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fri. - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sat. - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Their hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Playing off each other, Mason and Hanford called their artwork "simple," "clean," "elegant," "unique," and "affordable."
Everything sold in the building is handcrafted, but not everything is made by Mason and Hanford.
Patinaz is a place where they can also display the artwork and business cards of their friends. In addition to jewelry, they sell pottery, candles, photography, soaps, lotions and purses friends provide.
Even the counter in the store is artistic. It is made from a recycled tree.
They chose Williamsport for their new location because they "loved where Williamsport was going." Mason and Hanford chose the name Patinaz because 'patina' refers to a thin greenish layer that forms on copper or bronze because of corrosion.
"It's part of our process," Hanford said. "It's pretty, fun and feminine."
As they did their first day, Hanford and Mason still participate in First Friday, doing something different each month. In July, they featured the artwork of artist Corey Tilburg, a junior at Marywood University in Scranton. They also raffled their items for a benefit fundraiser for a friend.
In the future, they want to offer pottery and caricatures at First Friday, but there are no set plans yet.
"It'll come to us each month," Hanford said.
They also have plans in the future to offer more merchandise in the store, such as fibers and more artwork. They want to rig up a system to hang artwork from the ceiling.
Currently, they do not have a website, but they do have a Facebook page. They will have a website in the future.
"Our number one priority right now is just getting the store together," Hanford said.
For more information, call 570-447-8959.
