Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘Every time I made a piece, I felt that a part of my grandma was with me.’

Natalie Bonsignore, West Babylon

“Jewelry has become my life. I love it. Ever since I was a little girl, I was making and selling jewelry at the Babylon pool, Gilgo Beach and other local spots during the summer. My grandmother is really my biggest inspiration. One of my favorite pastimes was beading jewelry with her. She would take me to craft stores and buy me beads and other things I needed to make jewelry, and when we got home, we would sit for hours and make beautiful pieces together.

Something I also do that is just as fulfilling is source a lot of incredible vintage pieces.

“When she passed, it really inspired me to get back into making jewelry. It helped me to feel close to her again, and I had started to find some success. Slowly I opened an Etsy shop and started beading again, but I wanted more of a challenge. I bought a soldering kit and slowly taught myself how to be a silversmith in my bedroom. I worked tirelessly every day to improve my craft. It was so healing because I’ve never been able to sit and concentrate on something for hours.

“Every time I made a piece, I felt that a part of my grandma was with me. I’m a silversmith at heart, and I make many custom pieces. My inspirations are from American Western/Native American jewelry styles with use of many different gemstones that are native to the region. I had started making jewelry full time back during COVID, and it was really a blessing to be able to dedicate that time of isolation and loneliness to something that made me feel so full. Especially being someone who deals with ADHD, it has been a beautiful feeling to have something that I can devote my full attention to without losing focus.

“Something I also do that is just as fulfilling is source a lot of incredible vintage pieces. There’s something beautiful about passing old pieces on to give them a new life to be appreciated again. After four years of working hard, I now have an in-person studio location in Lindenhurst and an extensive collection of handmade and vintage jewelry in TT’s Closet in my hometown, Babylon Village.”

Interviewed by Maggie Rose Melito

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