Salvage & Shine's Origin Story

In 2021, Salvage & Shine was established in downtown Albany, NY's South End neighborhood as a wearable art jewelry company that is owned and operated by Alessandra J. Payne who self-identifies as an Afro-Caribbean (Kittitian) American female entrepreneur.  Salvage & Shine operates 24/7 via its e-commerce website, in person at maker and community events, and by appointment for custom commissioned designs and projects.

Salvage & Shine began as a venture that explored creating handmade luxury wearable art jewelry that was produced eco-consciously.  Alessandra established this jewelry production company to create and sell elegant, innovative limited-edition pieces that were sustainably sourced and made.  As Alessandra continued creating under the D.B.A. name Salvage & Shine, she began describing her business as "artist owned" and her products as wearable art pieces that proactively explore fusing artisanal jewelry design techniques with eco-conscious and environmentally responsible production processes.  In each Salvage & Shine piece, recycled, salvaged, and renewable materials are intentionally and artfully used to create original works of art.

Salvage & Shine’s mission is to design and create luxury, wearable art jewelry pieces that are innovative, elegant, and promote multicultural design, empowerment, and sustainability.  Salvage & Shine’s wearable art pieces are made with eco-conscious materials and handmade production methods that are meant to inspire and empower customers to live authentically and to protect our planet.  As of 2025, Alessandra Payne has expanded her product offerings to include community art empowerment projects and interactive art experiences which use art as a media to process difficult topics and social concepts in order to create safe spaces where individuals are empowered and inspired to effect positive change.   

Salvage & Shine's business goals are the following:

• to redefine luxury jewelry as eco-conscious, environmentally sustainable, and elegant wearable art;
• to create original works using existing materials which inspire people to live more authentically and sustainably;
• to express art in a way that educates people and provides a new perspectives on social and cultural concepts;
• to become a sustainable company that actively searches for ways to eliminate greenwashing in traditional jewelry design;
• to exhibit, showcase, and sell Afro-Caribbean sustainable design; and, 
• to advocate for and embody authentic Black excellence, service leadership, and collaborative entrepreneurial growth.