Working at an antiques shop as a teenager opened Cire’ Alexandria’s eyes to the beauty, power and meaning of jewelry.
She’s channeled that passion into her own line of accessories — sinuous golden snake pendants and cuffs, intricate moth necklaces, modern hair sticks, swishy tassel earrings and more — that incorporate her love of warm tones, texture and clean lines. And she’s about to open her own brick-and-mortar store, Dune, next month.
Both her shop and that antiques shop where her love of jewelry began are set in Stoughton, as is her home, which she shares with her husband Mike — a pastry chef turned stay-at-home dad — and their eight-month-old daughter Elsie.
What brought you to Stoughton? Why do you choose to live and work there?
My family is all originally from there — both parents and grandparents — so I spent a lot of time in Stoughton growing up. But as I got older, I just appreciated the small-town vibe, the historical homes and Main Street. It’s just a cute, friendly town!
How did you get into making jewelry? What do you love about it?
I started when I was sixteen. I worked at an antique shop in Stoughton where I learned to repair and restring costume jewelry. My boss would let me keep the things that were too far gone so I started making my own creations. The rest is history, as they say!
What I love about making jewelry — there are so many things, from taking raw materials and manipulating them into something beautiful to how a fabulous piece of jewelry makes you feel.
When did you realize your jewelry making could be your work?
I just decided after a bad break up at twenty-five and a string of stressful jobs that I was going to never work for someone else again. Call it crazy, but I knew I could do it, that I could figure out how to make it work. A string of good timing and loads of support from my family and a ton of hard work got my where I am today.
What have been your favorite items so far, and why do you think that is?
Definitely my moths and snakes collection. I think I like them because they are unexpected. I like creating all the detail that goes into each one. Everything moth and snake are completely one of a kind.
What inspires you? What keeps you going creatively?
I’m constantly inspired. I love interiors (I have an interior design degree from Madison College), so a room and the way it makes me feel can spark an idea. An object, piece of furniture, a painting. I’m an emotional maker and I use that a lot when creating. That’s why my work has a wide range but still has the same vibe.
How has parenthood impacted your jewelry making or creative process?
It’s made me more creative in a fraction of the time! I’m constantly thinking and creating things in my head, but I’m lucky if I can remember them by the time I try to get them down on paper. Any time I get in the studio is very precious to me and my mental state. I have to be creating or I don’t feel like me. It’s also become a place where I recharge my mommy battery. Finding the balance is hard. But I just take it day by day. I’ve learned to let go of expectations so I don’t feel bad about not “accomplishing” as I could before becoming a mother.
What do you like to do as a family?
We love to go thrift shopping for fun! When Mike was still working and Elsie would be really crabby, we would take a trip to St. Vinnie’s. She would just sit and look around in her carrier and sometimes even fall asleep. Now we all go together! We love to find treasures.
And Mike loves to cook, so Elsie and I sing and dance around the kitchen to keep him company.
Why do you choose to raise a family in Wisconsin?
Because my family is here. I have two sisters, who both have small children, and my parents and my husband’s family are here too. We are all very close and I couldn’t imagine living where they are not. We also love the seasons and the feel-good vibe of the Midwest.
Please tell us about Dune!
Dune is a gift and home shop that is going to be filled with North American makers and curated vintage home goods and small furnishings. There is nothing like it in Stoughton and I feel the time is right for a shop like this in our town. As a maker and small businesses owner, I want to also spread the love and support other small makers and businesses.
The shops vibe is very much my personal style translated into a store: yummy warm earthy tones mixed with bohemian textures and clean, modern lines. We plan to carry bath, beauty, jewelry, ceramics, wood, paper, baby gifts and more. Everything that we are curating for the shop fits this vibe too. So you can walk in and feel totally cozy and welcome.
What’s it like putting your work out into the world? And what do you hope people get from your jewelry?
It’s always nerve-wracking — it’s putting a part of yourself out there. Any time an artist shows work to the world, it’s hard. Sometimes people will love it, other times people just won’t get it. But I make jewelry that makes me happy and my goal is to make others happy and feel good. Jewelry has so many meanings and so much significance to people. I love it with my work becomes a part of another person’s story.
Photos by H. Claire Photography.