Angie Hofelich wants every piece of jewelry she sells inside her Sparkle boutique to be special, to have a deeper meaning.
So she fills the 800-square-foot space inside the lobby of her salon, VanityLab, with the work of some 30 local designers while 2 percent of the proceeds benefit the Gathering Place.
"When you give someone a gift, it has additional meaning," she says. "It has a token of being something deeper than just a thing."
Each item purchased comes with a dedication card that contains information about the local cancer support center and a registration number. Shoppers can go online at sparklelocal.com and enter that number to post a name on the dedication wall.
The decision to donate proceeds from her jewelry sales was spurred by two events in Hofelich's life. First, her friend was diagnosed with leukemia. "I don't think I would have had the guts to start a business today if I didn't go through that," Hofelich says.
Then 9/11 happened. At the time, Hofelich and her husband were living in New York City. They decided to moved back home to Cleveland, bringing with them a sense of urgency to help people and to see Northeast Ohio thrive.
"Before I take my dirt nap, I want to help out," Hofelich says. "I am sensitive to the fact that time is running out on this planet."
So Hofelich is happy to help you enjoy it. Sparkle is stocked with whimsical necklaces with a Polaroid charm of local landmarks (like a close-up of Tremont's Treehouse bar) for $15 by XXO Phoebe Marie. Pretty flower pins and clips with pearl centers ($18 to $22) created by What Mary Makes can adorn a headband for some hair flair. Antique lovers might splurge on a charm necklace by Radar, featuring crosses and rare glass beads (up to $100).
"You don't have to wait for the seasonal art shows to find something interesting made by a local artist," says Jill Pigman, who manages daily operations at Sparkle. "We are like an all-year-round art festival in here because we are constantly switching out pieces and bringing in new vendors."
