April 26, 2010

This post is from one of our sponsors, jewelry designer Patsy Kolesar – you can see her beautiful jewelry here.

She’s got a wonderful contest for all the brides to be that you’ll want to read all about.

The Love Story Necklace Contest

The Love Story Necklace, just like any great love story is complicated. It has twists and turns, highs and lows, and has been hammered and polished.
It is the perfect necklace for a bride who has been through a lot but who has always believed in finding her true love.

The idea for the Love Story Necklace came to me when I realized that my favorite love stories are often complex and drawn out. I spent a weekend doing research. I watched all of my favorite romantic movies, the ones that have shaped my ideals of love, and I became inspired to create unique pieces of art that honored the curving, unique path that relationships can take us on.

The pieces that resulted were intricate, stunning and highly original, featuring precious metal, colourful enamel, and freshwater pearls. Each Love Story Necklace, just like the story it was inspired by is truly one of a kind.

If you think that a Love Story Necklace is perfect for you, and you want to wear one on your wedding day, here’s your chance – all you have to do is tell me your love story in a maximum of 800 words.

My creative team and I will read the submissions and choose the one we feel most inspired by, and I will create a Love Story necklace based on it. The winning love story will receive a custom-made Love Story Necklace valued at $450, and the story will be posted on my blog. Good luck!

Contest details:

To enter please tell me:
1. Your love story in up to 800 words
2. Your wedding date
3. Please include a photo of you and your fiance

Submissions will be accepted until May 7th 2010.
Winner will be notified by May 21st 2010

Please send submissions to: info@pkkdesign.com

~Post by: Patsy Kolesar

Category: Handmade Finds, Handmade Jewellery, Vancouver | 1 Comment »
Tags: handmade, Handmade Jewellery, patsy kay kolesar, wedding

April 12, 2010

Sea Unicorn is the etsy shop of LA based Jacqleen Bleu. You’ll find her store stocked to the brim with lots of beautifully photographed necklaces, each featuring an adorable charm or two – everything from lockets to cameos – and yes – elephants too!

Click here to visit her shop.

~Posted by: Amy

Category: Handmade Finds, Handmade Jewellery, Indie Fashion | 1 Comment »
Tags: handmade, Handmade Jewellery, sea unicorn

March 24, 2010

Feisty Elle has just launched some new designs and colors for Fall 2010 that I’m excited to share with you. Leslie Yang is the owner and designer of this San Francisco based jewelry and accessory line. I definitely appreciate her commitment to using sustainable products, including merino wool felt that is laser cut (her own unique method). The end result is lightweight jewelry, especially when compared to items made from metal and other more traditional materials! She just released her Fall 2010 designs, and you can get 15% off your orders by using the coupon code “FALL10″ at checkout, good thru 3/26.

Click here to shop Feisty Elle.

~Posted by: Amy

Category: Eco Friendly, Handmade Jewellery, Indie Fashion | Comments Off
Tags: Feisty Elle, Handmade Jewellery

March 16, 2010

Portland jewelrist, Amy Olson creates handmade, delicate jewelry. Her style is classic and feminine, and she recently took the time to share a bit more about her work with us.

Q (Lisa): I read in your Etsy profile that you’ve been a crafter for as long as you
remember. Do you remember a favorite craft project from your childhood?
A (Amy): As a child, I dabbled in lots of different mediums, but I would say that I think I’m most proud of the dress that I crocheted for my favorite doll.

Q (Lisa): When did you start to focus on jewelry and what other crafts do you enjoy?
A (Amy): I had been making jewelry throughout my childhood, but I started focusing on it when I was 17 and working for Mark and Viki Lareau of the Bead Factory in Tacoma, WA. I also enjoy knitting, crocheting, and paper crafts. I am in awe of good photographers and hope to become a better one myself someday!

Q (Lisa): Who are some people who have influenced your sense of style over the years?
A (Amy): Audrey Hepburn is absolutely one of my favorite style icons. As far as jewelry goes, I greatly admire Riversong, Laurice Curran, and Lisa Chandler.

Q (Lisa): How would you describe your jewelry style?
A (Amy): I would say that my signature aesthetic marries the old with the new- I love combing vintage materials with precious metals and modern concepts.

Q (Lisa): What colors, if any, do you find yourself favoring when making jewelry?
A (Amy): It’s funny- I love color and shimmery gems, but I tend to favor the neutrals. I adore pearls and find them a classic addition to any piece. Since it’s Spring though, I am noticing that I’m favoring greens and blues at the moment. they seems so fresh and right for the season!

Q (Lisa): Where do you find your inspiration for your jewelry pieces?
A (Amy): I seem to find it everywhere! I often come up with designs while taking a walk. I live in a beautiful part of Portland, OR, near cafes and parks. It is a perfect neighborhood for walking! I also find inspiration in galleries, boutiques, and magazines. I enjoy keeping up on new creative ideas.

Q (Lisa): When you’re creating new pieces, do you consider current fashion trends?
A (Amy): Yes and no- I don’t always know what the latest fashions are, but if I am ever stuck in a rut, I’ll peruse magazines or head to boutiques and then try to design a piece that is perfect for a certain outfit that I see. This tactic often gets my creative juices flowing!

Q (Lisa): Besides your own, whose jewelry do you typically wear?
A (Amy): I hate to say it, but if I’m not wearing my own jewelry, then I’m not wearing any jewelry. And it’s not because I don’t love what others make! I just find that alot of modern jewelry overwhelms me. If I could wear any designer’s jewelry, though, it would be that of Dana Kellin or Melissa Joy Manning. Their work is so delicate and detailed!

Q (Lisa): You also have a blog called Portland Loves: Local with photographer Misha Ashton. How did that come about?
A (Amy): Well, Misha and I met through an artist group and one day she just called me up with the idea! I had been thinking about starting a blog for some time before that, and when she shared the concept with me, I immediately loved it.

Q (Lisa): What is your current Portland love?
A (Amy): I am just loving all of the little nooks and crannies of our city. Every little neighborhood has its charm. My favorite thing to do right now is go to coffee in different neighborhoods and then take a walk and explore. My latest adventure was to a neighborhood called Ladd’s Addition. It was built in the shape of a bicycle wheel and in the middle is the cutest cafe and a few boutiques- so great!

~Posted by: Lisa

Category: Handmade Jewellery, Portland, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Tags: amy olson, Handmade Jewellery, Portland

January 18, 2010

Many wonderful metalsmiths have set up shop on Etsy, and I find myself drawn to their shops time and again. While Etsy has lots of talented jewelry designers – I am fascinated by the process the jewelry created by metalsmiths entails. Each of these pendants, earrings and rings are made by hand by the artist “from scratch” so to speak – and each one has it’s own intricacies and unique details. Each artist has their own process for working with the metal making each design even more special. Make sure to visit these shops to learn more about each artist and their process.

1). Colleen Baran
2). Es Designs
3). Plum and Sage

~Posted by: Amy

Category: Handmade Jewellery, Indie Fashion | Comments Off
Tags: Handmade Jewellery, metalsmiths

December 23, 2009

Truly unique, Sabrina Baissas creates delicate jewellery and homewares using a rare technique of medieval kiln-fired glass enameling, where enamels are hand-painted onto glass then fired at 1300 degrees in a kiln. Sabrina discovered this technique in Paris, while learning traditional stained-glass methods. Looking at her creations, it’s amazing to think about her choice of materials, that the jewellery is created using discarded picture frame glass and her dishes are made with old windows. These materials are not easily recyclable, so often end up in landfills. Inspired by nature, Fox and Clover is both sustainable and beautiful.

~ Posted by: Christine

Category: Handmade Jewellery | Comments Off
Tags: Fox and Clover, Handmade Jewellery, Sabrina Baissas, sustainable

December 16, 2009

Vancouver based designer, Heather Mandin, uses reworked antiques to create her wonderful jewelry line parts by heather. With bold colors and great shapes, each of her pieces makes a unique statement. This is the perfect time to check out her work as she is opening her studio to the public on December 19th and 20th from 12-8pm (#214 – 119 West Pender St., Vancouver). Stop by to see brand new designs, hair accessories, and the fabulous Couture 09 collection all at sale prices.

~Posted by: Amy

Category: Events, Handmade Jewellery, Vancouver | Comments Off
Tags: Handmade Jewellery, heather mandin, parts by heather, Vancouver

December 1, 2009

Elegant, graceful and unique, Simone Richmond’s pieces begin from a hand drawn pattern or a subtly crafted texture. Lace, soft colors and simple shapes are the center of her design aesthetic. An Ontario native, Simone headed west and decided to pursue her creative side here in Vancouver. She honed her skills at the Jewellery Art & Design program at Vancouver Community College and now works out of her Vancouver studio.

Simone’s unique design perspective has intricate and delicate detailing contained within simple shapes.
Enamelled Earrings

I think her Cloud and Raindrop necklaces are perhaps a nod to Vancouver’s weather?
Cumulus Cloud Necklace
Raindrop Necklace

And her reticulated silver pieces are crafted using a many step process, resulting in a different texture every time- truly unique!
Reticulated Necklace

~ Posted by: Christine Davis

Category: Handmade Jewellery, Vancouver | Comments Off
Tags: Handmade Jewellery, simone richmond, Vancouver

November 27, 2009

We were delighted when Noémie contacted us last week to tell us about her jewelry line. I asked her a few questions, and here is what she had to say:

Lisa: How did you get started as a jewelry designer, and tell us how you decided to create each piece with a feather.

Noémie: I started Noémiah about two years ago. Since the very beginning, I’ve always used feathers. I discovered a real passion. I think I’ve always wanted to create, since I was a child. Just create, escape from the world sometimes and forget about everything! Feathers can really be colored: I like the way I can mix them together to create different tints, structure and form. I also love the sensuality and their delicate aspect.

Lisa: Where do you find your inspiration for your spring, fall, and holiday collections?

Noémie: First, I must say that I am a fashion addict! I am inspired by street styling and fashion blogs. I think that, unconsciously, I must be inspired by many fashion trends! For example, for my fall/winter collection, I used a lot of dark black, big big chains and layers. I love to invent new designs again and again! For Christmas, I was thinking of something more pure, with whites, cream. I also wanted the feathers lighter, more feminine, more delicate. As in this piece [Snowflake Poem - Feather and Chain Necklace].

Lisa: What do you enjoy most about creating jewelry?

Noémie: Everything! But if I want to be honest, feedback from sellers. They can be so lovely sometimes it makes my day. And oh… creating collections. I think I always think of it, everyday I get a new idea: note to myself… don’t forget this, right this before you forget!

Lisa: Are there any great items on your Christmas list that our readers might enjoy?

Noémie: This is a very special design, I love the little egyptian side of the big plated structure. This piece is very unique, I love the feathers, falling like little fringe [Winter Beauty - Feather and Chain Necklace].

And maybe these earrings, very very long, infinity design: “Fox in the snow.”

To shop the Noemiah collection click here.

~ Posted by Lisa

Category: Handmade Jewellery | Comments Off
Tags: Handmade Jewellery, Noemie