Leader Community Spotlight: Trina Steinkey and Inspiring Hand-Stamped Jewelry
By Mallory Cawthra
Trina Steinkey has always had a love for jewelry. She became inspired to create her own unique hand-stamped jewelry after discovering the metalworking technique through various Instagram and Pinterest accounts that she follows online. She describes her jewelry as “Inspiring hand-stamped jewelry with a prairie attitude.” Start-up costs were relatively minimal and she explained that the necessary skillset wasn’t as complicated as what’s required for silversmithing.
Hand-stamped jewelry involves pressing each desired letter, symbol or texture into the surface of metal using a hammer and a stamp. Each piece is unique and can be personalized for the individual wearer, adding meaning to their story, creating a tangible memory, or even expressing one’s personality.
Trina currently has an online Etsy shop, and also has some jewelry pieces available at stores in Outlook, Burstall and Maple Creek. Her online shop offers bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, keychains, silverware (such as spoons), and she is always open to trying new things. Trina added that, “softer metals are easier to work with and I do have some stamps that can do stainless steel but that’s definitely a bit more challenging.”
Trina explained that she grew up in Fort Saskatchewan, just East of Edmonton. She, along with her husband and three daughters, moved out to the Leader area almost three years ago, where her husband grew up. She is a stay-at-home mom right now with two daughters in school and one daughter still at home. In addition, she leads Toddler Time at the Leader Library, serves on the Library Board and fulfills the position of Assistant General Leader for the local 4-H Club.
Trina explained that, “In the next little bit, I’d like to expand my online Etsy shop to provide more pieces on there. I may start into some leatherwork as well. Someday I’d love to get into silversmithing and have a studio for it. I want to start taking some courses and workshops for that.”
Supporting small businesses and local artists/hobbyists in Southern Saskatchewan is a great way to give back to the community. For anyone that is thinking of starting their own jewelry business or embarking on a new hobby, Trina had some sound advice, “If you’re wanting to get into it, don’t be afraid to ask questions. YouTube is also a great resource to get started on how to stamp and make different pieces of jewelry. Just go for it! If you’re waiting for the right time it will never happen.”
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