Metheny competes in The Gauntlet

By Aila Boyd

aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com

Anna Metheny, the owner of Patina Creek Silver, is competing in The Gauntlet, a 10-week business development program and competition that connects entrepreneurs to resources, this year. As part of the program, she’s attending weekly classes at the competition’s Buchanan location.

Patina Creek Silver, a silver fingerprint jewelry business, was launched three years ago out of Metheny’s Arcadia home. Although the idea for the business isn’t original to Metheny, she said that instead of using a mold and transferring it to the jewelry, she presses the finger directly into the silver.

“I love working with families to create these special one of a kind gifts,” she said. “What sets my fingerprint jewelry apart is a special process that doesn’t use paper prints or molds. Rather the finger is pressed directly into the silver itself. It not only ensures the best reproduction possible but also adds to the sentimental value of the piece. In fact, there are only a few artists in the world who offer to make fingerprint jewelry in person using this method.”

Metheny said that she started The Gauntlet thinking that she wanted to create a mobile studio, but after several classes, realized that doing so wouldn’t be right for her business. “I realized that since I have to make the fingerprint jewelry in person, it’s not very scalable,” she said. “My plan is to do a direct to market model, where resellers are trained in how to make the jewelry. They’ll be able to sell the jewelry and then mail it back to my facility. I’ll finish it, then mail it to the customer.”

The support that she’s received from The Gauntlet has helped her to dream bigger, Metheny said.

In the future, she hopes to expand to a facility in downtown Buchanan.

Originally from the Smith Mountain Lake area, Metheny said that she also wants to give back to the community by donating to children who are in hospice and their families.

For those who are considering starting a business, Metheny said “just go for it and give it a try.” She also cautioned that aspiring entrepreneurs need to keep in mind that they don’t have to do everything. “Figure out what makes your business special. Figure out what your thing is and grow that,” she said.

Upcoming fingerprint jewelry events include:

• Crafteria – 16 Church Avenue, SW in Downtown Roanoke on April 4 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and April 25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Early Bird Craft Show)

• Strawberry Festival – Elmwood Park in Downtown Roanoke on May 1-2

To learn more about Patina Creek Silver, visit: https://impressedintime.com/.