IN with the old and IN with the new!

I love fashion. Strike that… I love sustainable fashion.

Getting more involved in the wholesale scene has gotten me more aware of the fashion world. Things happen so far in advance! It’s so strange to go from my market life, where every week I would re-make similar pieces to the ones that sold the previous week, to wholesale where stores order a season ahead. In this fast paced, ahead of things world, keeping up with the seasons means that there should be exciting new designs and a shedding of the old designs. I love making new work but I couldn’t and wouldn’t want to get rid of the old… 

I’m a fan of sustainability, of making work that’s timeless. We’re riding a merry go round of extremes, of trends of new and used and discarded. It’s such a disposable era, nothing’s made to last. I think, if something is good, if something is successful, it should remain.

I’m all for creativity and keeping things fresh but I’ve been cultivating my line for a decade. All of my customers, through the Artist Market and my Etsy shop have helped inform it, refine it. I guess it’s just different with handmade. I love when I hear that my earrings are a staple, a go to, a favorite, everyday pair. I like that they get worn and worn and become part of your story, take on your travels, your memories. 

I just want to make work that’s simple but eye catching… a little edgy but rooted in comfort, wearability, and there’s no time limit on these things. The beauty of taking the "ancient" and mixing it with the "modern" is that it can live in the NOW. There doesn’t need to be an “in” and an “out”, how about a solid ALWAYS!
Make new work but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold. Just some thoughts while traversing this new path...

 Meanwhile I'm getting work ready to present to a new shop. I love how every fall copper earrings look fab with the surrounding colors!

This little Pendleton jewelry case is great, super compact and stylish. I stapled my earring cards to a few foam board sheets for extra display space.

It all fits and stays safe while being lightweight and looking professional. 

Happy Fall Y'all!

A New Year, A New Line Emerging... the year of the Wrapture.

I've had the idea to make arm/boot cuffs for a couple of years but it's pretty much been simmering on the back burner. Many things have aligned for me to finally move forward with this. Last fall I bought an old Singer sewing machine. Found it at a barn sale right in town. It came with a beautiful wood table that it folds down into. It's one from the 1920's and it works so well. Best part, it sews leather which really opened the door for this new line.

I've also been eager to make an attempt at combining the best of the fashion world with the best of the jewelry world. (Maybe even have a fashion show!) While in NYC over NYE we stopped in an amazing trim shop and I bought some feather trim, some lace and leather and from there the idea really took off.

My new line is called:
Wrap·ture
n.1. To cover, envelop or encase in something that gives way to feelings of ecstasy.

I've been pretty wrapped up in it too! For 2 weeks I've had my sewing machine crankin' and piles of leather and fabric scattered around. I made 7 to start and through them have learned so much about how I want these pieces to work.

I've always loved getting 2 for 1's or items that reverse or transform (including transformer's as a kid!). So it was important to me that these pieces be really versatile. They can be worn so many different ways which really adds to their value.

I see this as being great adornment for the global nomad. A piece of jewelry that you can move from arm-to-boot-to-calf, maybe head, depending on your mood, outfit, desire. The thin wrap even detaches from the thick wrap and can be worn separately as a wrist wrap or anklet. Such a great travel piece.

Made of Silver and stones, brass, upcycled leather, feathers, silk, tribal fabrics and lace. These designer wraps are bigger, bolder and brighter than typical jewelry and can adorn many places on the body. Yet they are more substantial then a mere accessory. Hand made, with silver hand stitched, each one's a unique work of wearable art.

I love this look. Very Warrior Goddess.

My boots are really simple and I love the idea of dressing them up, and being able to change them up.

Which made me realize, you don't need the boot! In warmer weather this would make a great calf cuff.

The Wrap is made up of 2 components and the inner wrap can detach and be worn on it's own on the wrist. It fits 3 times around.
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Or it could be an anklet, wrapped twice around.

Just wanted to share where I'm at with this so far...I'll debut them this spring. Gotta figure out pricing and such, but for now I'm really excited!

Always the Bridesmaid's jewelry, Rarely the Bride's...Until Now

Many a bride has contacted me about ordering jewelry for their bridesmaids. I've done 8 pairs of the same earring, I've done 6 pairs of different earrings but all with gold added to them, I've had women order right from my Etsy shop. I'm always honored to have my work be a part of someone's special day. It's interesting though, how so few of these brides have considered my jewelry for themselves. They tend to be more traditional and go with crystal or diamonds or pearls. So I'm extremely excited to be a part of Ava Bishop's upcoming show. We have a very similar aesthetic and our work pairs beautifully together. Initially I found myself choosing from my most conservative pieces for her gowns and then I realized... she digs the edginess, the tribalness and that's so cool!

Her show of gowns "Past and Present" will be meeting up with my jewelry past and present - some classic designs, some revamped and some brand-spankin' new. I always prefer to see my jewelry on the body and seeing it on model brides draped in Ava's exquisite creations is sure to be a lovely sight.

Photos will be taken and I'll get 'em up on the web as soon as possible.