From white water rafting to jewelry making, to protecting the Potomac River. Sarah Shores is a true nature-lover

Sarah sizing a potomac river collection ring

Sarah Shores, a Frederick, Maryland, local, has been a lover of the Potomac River since the first time she went white-water rafting with her dad. The river had always been a vital background character, but when she moved to Frederick, she decided to move it to the forefront of her life.

With this leading role, it was only natural when Sarah revived her love of metalsmithing after a 20-year hiatus that sustainability and environmental practices were at the heart of her small jewelry design business: Bean and Bear.

“The Potomac River sustains us, so we should sustain it and keep it clean.”

Taking the steps to have a river-friendly business

Sure, starting an ethical and eco-friendly business can be an upstream paddle, but Sarah knew that her hard work would be worth it. After years learning about the challenges the Potomac River faced, she was going to do it right. Sarah spent hours researching the best ways to source recyclable metals, ethical stones, and plastic-free packaging.

Next up was making her studio as river-friendly as possible. Sarah had solar panels installed, used rainwater barrels, and only used LED lights. She thrifted or repurposed old furniture, such as her dad’s old drafting table, and gathered natural products to use instead of harmful chemicals. Sarah's shop would be part of the solution by creating less waste.

Her passion for the Potomac kept fueling her

Even with all of her sustainable practices, she knew she wanted to do more for the Potomac River. This required some creative thinking, but thankfully, this is where Sarah shines. She created a unique ring set inspired by the river and the land she loved.

After some trial and error, she landed on three thin stacker rings, with the outer two featuring a vertical tree bark texture and the inner one a hammered texture imitating the rapids of the Potomac. When worn together, the rings tell a story about the interconnectedness of people and nature.

But Sarah wasn't done making an impact yet. To strengthen that connection, Sarah decided to donate $5 from the sale of each ring set to Potomac Conservancy to protect and improve the river she cherishes. This decision wasn’t fleeting; she knew that donating to The Conservancy would last as long as her business did.

It wasn't long before other nature lovers caught on, connecting with the beauty and the symbolism of Sarah's design. She expanded the Potomac River Collection to include more rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. And with each sale, she continued to donate $5 to Potomac Conservancy.

To Sarah, the metalworking she does is more than just a business or an art form; it is a form of storytelling.

“I use these textures the river and the tree texture everywhere, in all that I do and the stones that I use even I feel like tell a story and kind of connect us to nature or a place or a time or a scene that I think really resonates with people and helps us stay grounded. That’s what I always hope I’m giving people a chance to ground and connect with nature, even if they can’t physically be in that space and time.”

Her love for the river flows on

After four years of Bean and Bear, Sarah’s passion and love for the Potomac has only grown stronger. She has found a way to connect her love of adornment and art with her dedication to a healthier Potomac River, and she isn’t planning on stopping.

As she looks ahead to the future, she knows the Potomac River region has an uphill battle. From fighting for a swimmable river to preventing data center sprawl, Sarah is ready to work alongside her neighbors for healthier waterways and its surrounding land.

“The Potomac River is so important to me because it does affect everyone and this is how I feel I can be a positive impact for everyone and all the life in this area as a lifeline, through Potomac Conservancy and being able to contribute to that and help it grow and help take care of this river that sustains our lives.”