Midlife Collaboration Creates
Symbolic, Authentic "Linkage"

© by Lori Sandstedt; all rights reserved

Turning 50 can be traumatic. Yet, like the nearly 80 million individuals born between 1946 and 1964 who will enjoy longer, more productive lives than any previous generation, E. Jennifer Katz and Lori Sandstedt shared mixed feelings about the event. What they both agreed on was that it provided an opportunity to take inventory of their lives.

So when Jennifer contacted Lori about collaborating on a project, they decided to transform that shared milestone into a jumping off point. Their partnership, rooted in similar artistic aesthetics and spirituality, resulted in "Linkage" - a fashion accessory that transcends trends and connects with a higher purpose.

The two Southern California designers pair one-of-a-kind handmade components with six hand-wrought sterling silver links forming symbolic reminders of the beauty and complexity of memory. Customers have the option of personalizing their piece with a bit of their own history for a nominal fee.

An important aspect of Lori and Jennifer's collaboration included a desire to align themselves with a charitable cause. The concept of creating links and memories with found objects merged well with The Alzheimer's Association, to which they donate a portion of their proceeds. Whether hooked to a handbag, worn around the neck, attached to a belt loop, or dangling from a ceiling fan, each of these unique accessories carries its own history of playfulness, spirituality and nostalgia.

Beyond their proximity in age, Jennifer and Lori each brought broad experience in both finance and jewelry design to the collaboration. Jennifer runs a successful financial planning business and also sells her hand wrought silver jewelry at private showings. While honing her design skills, she has studied metalsmithing with Marilynn Nicholson at the Taos Institute of Arts (New Mexico), Michael Boyd at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center (Colorado), Mary Beth Roskewicz at the Castle Hill Truro Center for the Arts (Massachusetts), and has amassed a loyal group of private collectors.

Lori, who works primarily with recycled elements, has sold her handbags and jewelry to over 80 stores and galleries, including the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. One of her handbags will be featured in "Hip Handbags," to be published in Spring 2005 by Lark Books.

Jennifer creates the silver links, Lori mines her collection of found objects, and together they design the individual components and combine them to form "Linkage."

The new product was introduced at exclusive "Make the Connection" events in Southern California, and additional locations are in the works.