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And while the Stamford resident admits that being part of a mother/daughter duo has its pros and cons, on the whole, it has been a wonderful experience she wouldn't trade for the world.
"I can tell my mother anything, which really helps us in our company," said Stevie. "Granted, sometimes speaking our minds doesn’t matter as my mom usually does what she wants and knows how to make me come around to her way of thinking."
Chimes in Sandy, who also lives in Stamford: "I'm blessed to have Stevie as a partner ... even when she disagrees with me."
Both say a lot of joking -- and small arguments -- often ensue, but after years of navigating their relationship and knowing each other, it's easy to communicate and work out the kinks.
Working on Jewels for Hope is the first time the two have partnered on anything together. "We think it’s meant to be," said Stevie. "We both kind of just fell into this and now we can’t think of doing anything different."
Jewels for Hope came about seven years ago when Sandy quit her job to take care of her mother, who has Parkinson’s. Being home all day, she would make jewelry, then promptly give it to the hospice nurses who were helping out.
"One day a light bulb clicked and I decided to open an Etsy shop and donate a portion of the profits to hospice," said Sandy. "From there, it spiraled."
Jewels for Hope is all about donating a portion of the profits to charities.
Stevie started working with her in 2010, bringing her own knowledge to the company.
Though there are two more sisters in the family, Sandy says they don't mind that the two D'Andrea women are constantly together. "They help us by wearing our jewelry and modeling for our photos," said Sandy. "I shoot my ideas to them almost as much as I do to Stevie."
Meaning, business often mixes with pleasure.
"Our minds are never not working," said Stevie. "We can be sitting watching a movie together and my mom will jump up and yell out with an idea."
In fact, the two will most likely be working on Mother's Day. "We're thinking of taking a trip to Groton to the Submarine Force Museum," said Stevie. "We just got our Nautical Line in their museum gift shop and we want to go and take pictures."
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