As Seen On : Jackie Deorocki
At the end of each As Seen On, we always ask for nominations for future ASO blog posts. Last month, we got one: My friend Kerry wrote simply “I nominate Jackie Deorocki.” I have a running list, years worth of people, that I am planning on highlighting. But it is a special kind of fun to profile someone who wasn’t on my radar for As Seen On, someone that I get to learn more about, understand better, become closer to...
I have known Jackie for years now, our circles overlapping the way that circles do in our little city of Amesbury. I have always loved to see her smiling face around town; greeting me from behind the bar at Starlite or Flatbread, visiting me to buy a new pair of earrings at my studio or at a local market, collaborating on a fundraiser for a friend lost too young.
Writing As Seen On has been a great journey for me over the last few years, an “Ode to the Wearers”, a way to showcase, thank, and discover more about the people that have supported me and my work. Truly, this process has been such a gift for me, to piece together these posts, and to share my ode, their story, with you.
I am so very grateful to Jackie for taking the time to be interviewed and profiled for this edition of As Seen On, and would love for you to take a look
xo
Amy
PS: When you get to the end and it says “If you or someone you know wears AVE jewelry and is interested in being featured in our “Ode to the Wearers", please reach out to us. We’d love to learn more about you and what you wear,” I mean every word!
Jackie wearing one-of-a-kind encaustic + brass earrings
Jackie, please tell us a bit about yourself (where you are from, what you do, hobbies, anything you would like to share)
I am from Amesbury and until about a year and a half ago I lived there my whole life. I'm sure I'll be back some day :) I am working for The Flatbread Co. at their Portsmouth location. I worked for the company all through high school and college. I have been all over the place in other fields and restaurants over the last 8 years but it's really nice to feel like I'm home. In my spare time I love to take photos of anything and everything, but my favorite models are my dog, Oliver and my 2 nieces. They are 1 and 2 and just the most fun ever. I also love to spend time with family and friends and travel whenever I can.
You and another fellow AVE wearer work together at Flatbread Co. in Portsmouth…what are some of your favorite things about your job and working with Heide?
One of my favorite things about working for Flatbread is how much they care about the communities they are in and how important it is to keep each other well. I started working for them when I was 15 and it played a huge part in who I am today. They have ALWAYS been ahead of the curve with being green and taking care of the community and the people around them. And it is awesome getting to go to work everyday with people who have the same values and really care about the product they put out and taking care of each other. And of course, getting to be back working with Heide is amazing. We both worked for the company in past lives but didn't meet until Starlite opened. And then the craziness of the past few years brought us both back to Flatbread. She's such a great boss and human. She has such a calming, welcoming way about her and I'm lucky to call her a friend. And it helps that we get to double our AVE supply because we can share them hahaha
The Starlite Crew <3
Amesbury seems like a very special place. What are your favorite things about the city? How have you seen it change over the years? What are some of your favorite spots/businesses/things to do in Amesbury?
Amesbury will always hold such a special place in my heart. It's amazing to see how far our little city has come since I was little. It has really come alive and there is so much to do now. Growing up there was like 2 restaurants and not a ton of shopping/things to do. Now you could spend the whole day walking around shopping and snacking, visiting the coffee shops and breweries and shopping along the way. It's hard to pick a FAVORITE spot in town but I cannot swing through without stopping at either Market Square Bakehouse or Ovedia for coffee before going into Caravan and doing some shopping! Definitely a great addition to our downtown! Anyone who hasn't gone in yet, you must! But my absolute favorite thing about our little city is how the community really rallies around each other when anyone is in need. I've seen it countless times whether it be for me and my family personally or anyone else in town. The local businesses and restaurants are always so willing to donate no questions asked and the community is always willing to lend a hand or volunteer time and time again. It really is a beautiful thing and makes people feel a little less alone during the hard times.
How do you and Amy come to know each other?
I first met Amy while working at Phat Cats. We didn't know each other well but it was always a pleasure chatting and waiting on her. And then when Starlite opened and I was bartending there I got to know her more. Unfortunately, we suffered the loss of our manager and mutual friend and Amy, along with many others, was so supportive and really helped us to push forward and continued to come in and was just such a positive energy. I'm not sure if Amy knows how much her presence and energy and support meant to us. Again, this little city has some amazing people and really knows how to step it up and be there for each other.
What attracted you to Amy’s designs? And what piece(s) of Amy’s can you be seen wearing?
What I love most about Amy's work is how versatile it is. I can wear it day to day (and I do, almost everyday) but her pieces are also so elegant that they are the perfect addition to any outfit for any event. And they are comfortable! The Uma ring is a permanent fixture on my hand. Seriously, I never take it off. The Dunne Hoops were the first thing I ever got from Amy. I think I got them at one of the Mother's Day Markets at Silvaticus and I still wear them constantly. My other go-tos these days are the Arrow or Lock Dangles. And I have my eye on some of her latest hoop styles! I'm overdue for a new pair to add to the collection ;)
Can you tell us about your friend Jordan Shay?
I could talk about Jordan for days! He was one of the best people you could ever meet. We met in elementary school. I had just moved to the neighborhood and our moms became fast friends while waiting at the bus stop with us. The rest is history. We did everything together. We spent holidays and vacations together. He would stay with us when his mom went away and vice versa. He was more like a brother to me. As we got older and had other groups of friends that never changed. We still always made time for each other and I was always so excited to see him walk in the room. Jordan joined the Army in 2006 and lost his life during his second tour in Iraq. He was, and still is, my favorite person ever. If you were lucky enough to know him, you were one of the luckiest people in the world.
And I understand that there is a fundraiser in his name- can you tell us about that event, what it raises money for, and how readers might be able to help?
In a "just in case letter," he clearly stated that if something should happen to him that a scholarship fund be started in his name for students who "wanted to make a difference in the world" and from there the Sgt Jordan M Shay Scholarship was started. As of this year we have awarded over $200,000 in scholarships and innovative grants to the Amesbury schools and students. More recently we have expanded to helping local veterans in need as well. On May 5 we will be holding our annual bowling tournament to raise money for the foundation. It amazes us every year the momentum and excitement about the event and keeping Jordan's legacy alive. Again, this town is amazing. We had to take the last two years off due to the pandemic but we are so excited to be back at it this year!
While the team slots filled up fast there is still so much to do the night of the event between raffles, axe throwing, etc. It is a really fun time and anyone is welcome to pop in. We're also always looking for volunteers to sell Red Sox raffle tickets leading up to the event or for raffle items from local businesses and artists. If anyone is interested in donating or purchasing raffle tickets they can go to our website for different ways to get involved
Thank you so much for reading our latest installment of As Seen On. Please be sure to check out Jackie’s photography on Instagram @inmylifephotography
And ASO readers, please enjoy 20% off of Jackie’s favorite AVE styles, the Uma Ring, the Dunne Hoops, the Arrow Dangles and the Lock Dangles. Discount is automatically taken at checkout.
If you or someone you know wears AVE jewelry and is interested in being featured in our “Ode to the Wearers", please reach out to us. We’d love to learn more about you and what you wear.