Shop Offers Valentine's Day Jewelry Making Class For Lovebirds

MONTAUK, NY — A new, year-round business in Montauk was launched by a couple who believes in the magic of romance.

Chris Simunek and his wife Rebekah Harris own The Shipwreck Jewelry and Trading Company and, in recent months, they've been offering jewelry-making classes for locals and visitors alike. Both said they are surprised at the positive response they've been getting.

"It’s a great activity for friends, couples or kids over 10," Simunek said. And, just in time for Valentine's Day, the store is offering not only jewelry and gifts, but also, special jewelry workshops for couples; two hours costs $150 and lovebirds can design a pair of matching silver rings.

The shop, which made its debut on Memorial Day weekend in 2019, is open year-round; most of the store's inventory is made onsite and much has a nautical theme.

"Montauk has been reeling us in for a long time," said Harris. "We first came here together in the winter of 2003 and started coming as often as we could. In 2008, we were married here and several years later bought a house. Then we got a dog and really started spending time hiking in the woods in the winter here with him. It became more and more difficult to go back to the city so we brought our business from the city here."

Valentine's Day is a busy day for florists — and jewelers, Harris said. "Typically we are making special things to make other peoples' Valentines Day the best it can be. Of all the holidays, it's such a sweet one, a day to celebrate love. I love how school kids celebrate it best, making little cards for all the people you care about, not just one."

Valentine's Day has always held special meaning, Harris said. "Several years back in the city when we selling with the store Catbird, we hired our bike messenger friend to dress up as Cupid and bike around the city delivering Valentine's jewelry. That was the best Valentine's Day by far," she said.

The couple, Harris said, had a workshop in New York City called the Shipwreck, and that's where the idea for the couples' workshops was born.

"It was upstairs and we started doing workshops there to get people in the door," she said. After the first class, she struck by "how much people were changed by working with and creating something with their hands. We kept developing the classes and brought that idea to our shop in Montauk. The winters here can be long and isolating and it was important for us to create something for the community to do in the winter. For Valentine's Day, I thought it would be fun to have a marathon type day where people are coming and going and making rings together all day long — and then heading off for the dinners or romantic walks."

In Montauk, the couple has found their inspiration, they agreed.

Harris got her start, she said, apprenticing for a goth silversmith, Alex Streeter. "He made the jewelry for the movie Angel Heart. Reproductions of that jewelry have sold very well for nearly 40 years. I learned that the most valuable thing you can use in jewelry, more precious than gold or diamonds, is belief. The water and ocean have always had my heart, so all of our jewelry is inspired by the ocean and its lore. Naturally Montauk and fellow water lovers that spend time here seem to appreciate the work more here."

Of their own love story, Harris said, "If you have been married awhile, its important to always learn and grow together in new directions . . . like silversmithing."

The Shipwreck Jewelry and Trading Co. is located at 57 Flamingo Ave in Montauk. For additional information, call 631-238-5331.