Purdine has always had a passion for jewelry design. Raised in the 70’s in Berkley, California, Purdine recounts digging through her mother’s jewelry box as a little girl and re-working the hippie turquoise pieces she found. Purdine mother confirms that there were many “improvements” made over the years. while working as a social worker in NYC, Purdine began making jewelry on the side after teaching herself how to wire wrap from a book she bought at a local bead store.

As she searched through catalogs for a very special gift for her mother’s birthday that she could afford on a social worker’s salary-she decided to create a one of a kind necklace for her. It was a huge success which lead her to make many more pieces.

These necklaces quickly became highly requested gifts among her family and friends. When people started stopping her on the street to inquire where to buy them, Purdine Brenner Designs was officially born. She sold her first beaded necklace to a store for $15 a piece. 

It was only after moving to California in 2023 that Purdine signature jewelry style of injecting a sense of fun and whimsy into timeless, classic pieces emerged. Starting with one of her most iconic collections, the state necklaces.