jewelry

Triangle Tribes Pendant

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 00:01:00 +0000

It wasn’t so long ago that I’d stricken reading fiction from my timepass repertoire. I saw no need for flights of fancy and, instead, preferred to lose myself in pages of dense history and theory. I made my foray back into the land of make believe slowly, first though memoir, then short stories. Eventually, I nabbed a copy of Invitation to a Beheading—a book I’d become interested in thanks to Azar Nafisi’s gushing about the notorious Russian American novelist Vladimir Nabokov in Reading Lolita in Tehran—and completely mended my formerly incurious relationship by means of poetic prose, witty alliteration, and intentional linguistic foolery.

Now, wordplay makes me giggle, and there’s no better site for wordplay than in the places where it's unexpected. Case in point: Israeli designer Irit Schneor’s fashion jewelry shop, In-d-pendant. Aside from the allusions to strength and self-sustainability from a woman-owned business, the name also holds within it an anti-corporate sentiment. Top that off with multifunctional, utilitarian design (Schneor’s accessories are both a necklace and a glasses holder), and methinks Schneor is a woman after my own heart.

Speaking of hearts, directly above mine is where the Triangle Tribes Pendant falls on my chest, though the length is somewhat adjustable given the two inches of chain past the rolo links that sits opposite the lobster clasp closure. The pendant has a sturdiness that effortlessly supported both pair of my glasses while I went about my day. On the whole, I found this sterling silver necklace to be impeccably crafted with a smart aesthetic.

For those who prefer something a bit more mod, the Bubbles Pendant might suit your fancy. Or if dainty is more your thing, you’ll find several options from which to choose on In-d-pendant.com. There are even options for the more masculine among us.

No longer will cheap strings be attached to this farsighted fashionista’s eye wear. Now I can appreciate a good book in style.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, May 23rd 2010

Marolsha Jewelry

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:00:00 +0000

By Marolsha Jewelry

When you live in a city like New York or Chicago, it's fairly easy to find your way around. For the most part, urban planners patterned these cities on a grid with numbered streets indicating one direction (East/West) and avenues or named streets indicating the perpendicular other (North/South). So if you're at my favorite Mexican restaurant in the East Village and want to get to my favorite all-veg diner in the Lower East Side, you can do so with ease simply by knowing the cross streets. Easy peasey.

Like most things in India, however, navigating the chaotic streets of Kolkata isn't so simple. There is no helpful grid to indicate the desired direction, and good luck finding anything in its proper place on Google Maps. In order to get where you're going, one must rely on the kindness of strangers who live or work locally to point you in the right direction. But sometimes that direction isn't clear. I mean, how do I know I'm still walking south when the street I'm following seems to have veered to the left?

Instead of going the route of a Boy Scout and carrying around some clunky chunk of magnetized metal, Marolsha has come up with a solution to help you find your way in style: the Vintage Compass Silver Ring. Lightweight with an adjustable band, the silver compass ring is a utilitarian's dream. I tested it out in a place where I am direction literate to be sure it works, and sure enough, it pointed north. Although the aesthetic is a little reminiscent of something you'd get out of a machine for a quarter, the construction is vastly superior and ensures a significant cost per wear lifetime of getting you where you're going.

The compass ring isn't the only offering from Marolsha that piqued my curiosity. I was also interested in two seemingly opposite feathered finds: Twin Owls Earrings and Mod White Love Birds Earrings. Owls are birds of prey, which means they are solitary by nature to facilitate their livelihood, and, based on their appearance in Hieroglyphics, that rugged individualism has kept them around a long time. Love birds, on the other hand, form long-term, monogamous bonds marked by a social demeanor and affectionate nuzzling. But you won't find their likeness in Egyptian caves. Despite their differences, both birds make regular appearances on adornments, as they captivate the human imagination.

Twin Owls Earrings are made of a sturdy antique brass and fall two inches below the earlobe on a thin kidney earwire that is easy to attach and detach. Their color is so bright it could be mistaken for a matte gold. The Mod White Love Birds Earrings are about a half-inch in length and dangle from silver plated leverback earwires. The color is painted onto the pair with a white enameled finish. Like the compass ring, both set of earrings are well-constructed.

Based in Singapore and created by Canadian fashion lover and jewelry designer Maddy, Marolsha peddles unique, vintage-style jewelry that is inspired by the natural world. Whenever possible, Maddy repurposes and recycles her findings in the process of creation. This eco-friendly sentiment is also found in the paper box in which the pieces arrive along with a handmade gift card that resembles a postcard. All of which is to say that Marolsha's jewelry reminds me of both the abundant joy of travel and the warmth of returning home.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, April 20th 2010

Changer Pendant

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:59:00 +0000

By K Robins Designs

“She changes everything She touches, and everything She touches changes.” This quote by Starhawk accompanies the Changer Pendant by K Robins Designs and is an apt summary behind this sterling silver emblem’s meaning. The pendant figure sits serenely in a lotus-like pose with hands brought together over her heart. Her curves are fluid and rhythmic. Her demeanor is confident, compassionate, and accepting in the natural ways of forces that are beyond our control.

The Changer Pendant is only one of many meaningful designs offered by K Robins, who creates her art in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The influence of nature on her art is evident in the organic and pure form each piece takes. Her jewelry and sculptures are each born into one of five symbolic categories—nature, Celtic lore, yoga and meditation, sacred symbols, and goddesses, mothers, and daughters—and the artist's mission is “to discover and create archetypal images and symbols that transcend the personal, resonate with the universal and soothe the soul.”

Expecting my first child this year and contemplating change, I realize that I do feel altered by the life force I welcomed into my life cautiously, knowing well that I cannot even pretend to imagine what’s in store for me. As I wait to be changed in a myriad of ways that this soon-to-be-mother cannot even fathom, the Changer Pendant encourages me to remain at peace with myself and my abilities to weather through the changes already taking place within my physical being.

Anyone can inhabit this symbolic image and sit peacefully within the chaotic whirl of changes about them. With the Changer Pendant, K Robins has accomplished her mission.

Written by: Beverly Jenkins-Crockett, April 5th 2010

Joy Pendant

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

By K. Robins

I fell in love with the Joy Pendant the moment I saw it. The sweeping, curling shape embodies a sensation of buoyancy. In it, I see a person spinning with excitement, astonished at their good fortune, then leaping up with arms outstretched, the only fitting expression of their happiness. The pendant does what it was meant to: it symbolizes joy.

I began making my own jewelry in middle school and have become very discerning in my purchases since. I won't buy something I know I can make myself or that I know is overpriced for the work and materials involved. But this pendant is something well outside my abilities and well worth the very reasonable price.

K. Robins begins by sculpting her shapes in wax. I enjoy running my fingers over the central spiral, where I can feel the uneven shapes of hand tooling. The long lines are smooth, and the whole thing has a satisfying weight without being oppressive. It is unusual in that there is no separate ring for it to hang from. Instead, the pendant's uppermost 'arm' has an oblong hole near its top, so the pendant can hang directly from the cord. Because of this, it will always lie flat, and you won't have to worry about walking around half the day with your necklace back-to-front.

The Joy Pendant ships in a small Ziploc bag with a company card and a black silk cord. I tied mine with a pair of adjustable sliding knots (instructions online). I find that it hangs best at or below the collar bone. The silver doesn't have much contrast against my pale skin, so I try to wear it over a darker color, where it looks like a spot of light erupting from a black sea.

For me, the pendant is both a worry stone, perfect for rubbing, and an expression of emotion. Over the years I've found a few pieces of jewelry that I feel suit my innermost self. This is one of them.

Written by: Richenda Gould, March 6th 2010

Designs Inc Jewelry

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

By Designs Inc

For all the traveling I’ve done in India, I haven’t yet managed to make it to Goa. The Southeast coast of the country was colonized by the Portuguese (and the Dutch and the French), and—from the architecture of massive churches to the spice blends in the cuisine—that influence is still felt in South India today. Goa is a hotspot for travelers who want a reprieve from ‘traditional India’. When brown skin, masala cha, and conservative dress begin to lose their exotic appeal, folks inevitably find their way to the tourist-laden beaches where one can strut in a bathing suit while sipping an iced latte in the familiar company of other pastey foreigners. Once the sun goes down, the debauchery goes up, as sex, drugs, dancing, and sci-trance make their way out from the sand. The blendedness of this space also makes Goa a comfortable place for entrepreneurial folks to settle and set up shop, which is what Karen-Ann Lobo has done.

Despite its location, the aesthetic of Designs Inc reminds me more of a doll collection than a bundle of incense sticks. In the States, I imagine Designs Inc’s offerings would fit in quite well at a Claire’s Boutique and make many a middle school girl giddy. The styles incorporate a sensibility akin to a little girl playing dress up with her mother’s costume jewelry; the flash and craftwork is more casual than high end.

The Tahiti Nights necklace captures this hodgepodge wonderfully; a single Tahitian grey mother of pearl flower hangs at the center of a silver toned, chunky, linked chain. Attached to the bottom of the flower are two inches of blingy mishmash (Swarovski crystal pearls, blue crystals of various shapes and sizes, and circular rhinestone rungs) that settle just above the bosoms. The necklace comes with a perfectly matching, simple set of silver-toned pearl earrings that can also be worn on their own.

Similarly chockablock is the girly Eros bracelet. The silver plated chain holds a glut of weighty feminine charms in perfectly sculpted order: roundish white quartz; teardrop-shaped, pink, Czech briolettes; fire polished, translucent, Swarovski crystal cubes; and tiny, mauve Swarovski crystals. Someone with small ankles could even wear it closer to the ground, harkening back to the company’s locale.

A hint of India can also be seen in the Summer Wine and Juno earrings. The former made of sterling silver and the latter of gold (12K plate and 14K fill), both have lovely, dangling components. Juno is a cluster of Swarovski crystal pearls that hover just above a Carnelian bead while Summer Wine has small, round pearls and blue goldstone (which give off a fascinating twinkle) hanging from two interlocking circles that also holds a medium-sized, mauve trumpet crystal. Throw on some taffeta, and you’re off to the ball.

The piece that suits this aesthetic the least, and therefore, stands out the most is the French knitted Jet bracelet. The woven wire mesh is lightly sprinkled with polished chips of Black onyx, and a half-dozen extra pieces are situated on either side of the clasp. The bracelet is unique in that it gives a sense of artistry and offsets the other designs’ kitsch appeal. It also suggests that Lobo has something more up her sleeve. I guess I’ll have to go to Goa to find out.

Juno and Eros pictured here

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, March 3rd 2010

Fashion Muse Jewelry

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:00:00 +0000

By Fashion Muse

I’ve never been a fan of shopping. This is somewhat because it is difficult and frustrating to find cute clothes that fit well when your body size and shape don’t match the norm (anyone out there want to design for a corpulent woman over six feet tall?), but mostly I’m just really good at talking myself out of making a purchase. Contrary to the problem many people have (that they buy too much), I am perpetually buying too little. Well, maybe not too little, per se, but I find it really hard to part with my cash for items I simply want and don’t necessarily need.

When you come from the lower classes, you spend a lot of time convincing yourself that you’re able to do without. It’s a strategy for survival. So when I see a scarf I really like I have no problem walking right by and telling myself I have plenty of scarves (plenty being two) in my closet already. If I see a pair of cute shoes, I just keep moving because I might need that $30 for something more important tomorrow. Whatever the self-provided excuse, the thought has occurred to me that perhaps my shopping habits are too reserved. After all, I have managed to become upwardly mobile (lower middle class, holla!). So I make up for my reticence by encouraging my partner to buy things for me. The logic is fuzzy, I know.

Crafted in Thailand by Tanya Boden, the Diamond Shell Necklace is made of brown cotton string, wooden beads, and a smooth, golden pendant made of shell. The length is adjustable—from cleavage to navel—and the diamond-shaped ornament is an eye-catching reminder that I want to dig my toes into the beaches of Phuket some day. The Beaded Earrings are a little different. Usually, this cute and funky pair would have been written off with ‘those really aren’t my style’, but I’ve been feeling a little out of the box these days, so I decided to give them a go. The four inches of dangling beads (brown, black, green, and gold) tickle my neck when I wear this set, which happily reminds me of my uncharacteristically spontaneous choice. Both pieces have a casual Boho air that whispers of African chic.

The overall point is this: when something comes along that holds my interest enough to fulfill a transaction, that something has to be worth it. These two pieces of handcrafted jewelry from Fashion Muse most definitely are.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, March 1st 2010

Shakti Pendant

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0000

By K Robins Designs

The K Robins Designs is located on four acres near Wintergreen Mountain Resort in Nellysford, Virginia. It is not surprising that K Robins learned how to carve her designs in wax and cast them in silver from famous flute maker Patrick Olwell, because her jewelry has a very melodious fluidity to its composure. Robins’ original designs come in sterling silver and fourteen carat gold. They are divided into five themes: 1) goddesses, mothers, and daughters, 2) sacred symbols, 3) yoga and meditation, 4) Celtic lore, and 5) meditation.

Robins is a woman after my own heart with the vision for her creations, “Our mission is to discover and create archetypal images and symbols that transcend the personal, resonate with the universal, and soothe the soul.” That is exactly what she has done with the Shakti piece I am currently wearing.

For Hindus, shakti is a generic term used for the many incarnations of the Mother Goddess, a divinely feminine power of creative energy. Shakti represents the dynamic life forces that move through the entire universe. The beauty of this pendant, as well as Robins' other designs, is that they are not so specific in nature that they cannot be many things to many wearers. They serve as communication tools to share while moving about in the world. They can be worn as a sign of strength, serve as pacts between friends, given as heirlooms, or all three.

What is just as beautiful as K Robins’ jewelry is the mission behind her work, which supports art as activism, empowers women, and focuses on sustainability. Her pieces are personal and inviting, peaceful yet capturing, and unassuming yet inspirational. The company's website is just as enriching as the artwork and gives the story behind Robins' decision to share her gift with the public, as well as the people who continue to inspire her. The prices are extremely reasonable while the aesthetics are invaluable.

Written by: Olupero R. Aiyenimelo, February 6th 2010

Zosterops Jewelry Shop

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:01:00 +0000

By Zosterops

Zosterops' Jessie Cheng is a doll. Not an empty-headed plaything, like Barbie or Bratz, but the kind crooner Frank Sinatra used as a term of endearment. Jessie is the kind of gal who's so lovely and sincere that you immediately want do nice things for her. Lucky for me, Jessie's long-honed raw talent make that compulsion all too easy for this so-called objective reviewess to carry out.

The beauty of Zosterops is that it's a shop that caters to a broad range of aesthetic sensibilities—so much so, in fact, that Jessie's mantra is "creation to meet anyone's content." From sunflower earrings to a heart-shaped locket and cut-out bird designs to crystal hearts, there really is something here for everyone, and Jessie is constantly adding more to the mix. She handcrafts the jewelry from items she picks up at places her journeys take her, which gives each piece a matchless quality.

The five-piece sampling Jessie sent me from Hong Kong is diversely sublime, and my two favorites are the Little Red Penguin Earrings and Turquoise Necklace. Although the latter is no longer available, the former is a pair of sterling silver hook earwires holding tiny red and silver bird charms that are absolutely adorable for children and adults alike. And speaking of adorable birds, the Gold Buddy Birdie Necklace is that as well. The gold-plated, nickle-free charm and chain add a smidgen of childhood hipster glamor to a plain tee and jeans day. Although you may get folks asking if you're simply really into Twitter now that the rapidly growing company's logo has co-opted our feathered friends. (Too bad for a company who is named after a winged species.)

The picture of the Crystal Heart Earrings doesn't do their blinding bling justice. The Swarovski crystal that comprises the heart-shaped beads is made to catch the light and reflect it in all directions, causing an über-shimmer effect I happen to be partial to. The beads hang from a sterling silver hook earwire, which makes the earrings dangly and nearly weightless.

The last item I received is the Cream White Pearl Heart Locket Love Necklace. The mouthful of name leaves something to be desired, but the piece itself is quite simple and sweet. As soon as I saw it, I knew my sister would love it. Her nine-month-old son might have given her the greatest gift ever (he said his first word—"mommy"—on Christmas Day) for 2009, but I've now got her 2010 birthday present in the bag. Pop a picture of the little one in there, and I'm golden—which is somewhat paradoxical since it's a silver locket, no?

Born in the late 1960s, Jessie started making jewelry after quitting her job and the most exciting part of her day is getting an email notification of a sale. The gist of her Zosterops' story is this: kind artisan + beautiful, well-constructed jewelry = tru luv 4eva (4now). You don't have to be a white-eyed bird to see that.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, February 1st 2010

Emerald and Pearl Earrings

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:22:00 +0000

By Patch First Shop

I just got back from Bangkok, Thailand. My partner and I spent the holidays there, as we were both in need of an escape from the chaos and grime of Kolkata. If you've been to Bangkok then you might be raising your eyebrows right about now thinking, "an escape from chaos and grime?" Yeah, it's all about perspective.

The Emerald and Pearl Earrings from Udon Thani-based Patch First Shop, well, aren't _really _made of emerald. They're made from green Swarovski crystals nestled against silver diamante rondelles and white pearls, which are held together by a tiny 18K gold-plated stud so that the earring dangles barely a half inch away from the ear lobe. The finished product is inexpensively elegant—not the cheapy hippie-cum-hipster-traveler kind of thing you'd see in the tourist ghettos of the Thai capital city. (Although mine did arrive in a very cute purple velvet bag with a pink snowflake embroidered on the side.)

I'm usually pretty averse to cookie cutter tourist spots, but a year and a half of Kolkata had me craving Mexican food and Guinness, so Khao San Road hit the spot after the two and a half hour flight to Bangkok. A few drinks into dinner, my partner and I started to ponder the success of the Thai economy, the second biggest in Southeast Asia. Tourism is an obvious, and increasing, source of upping the GDP, but Thailand's export-dependent system is at the center of automotive and electronic goods manufacturing. The Thai economic stability acts as an anchor for its developing neighbors—Laos, Burma, and Cambodia.

Patch First Shop may not be rapidly growing the Thai GDP, but it is fulfilling one woman's passion to support herself through her creative endeavors. She envisions your wearing her jewelry at your wedding, but I'm more a fan of wearing it on the day to day. Prices are low ($10) and shipping is free (!), so take advantage of global capitalism via Etsy, folks.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, January 25th 2010

Red Bracelet

admin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:07:00 +0000

By Luckxurys

Based in Tel Aviv, Israel, Luckxurys was started by designer Tali Rosen out of a personal frustration: she was unable to find a traditionally turquoise hamsa, palm-shaped amulet used in jewelery that is thought to protect a person from the evil eye. The tradition of using a hamsa (the Arabic word for the number five, hence the symbolism of a hand) to ward off evil began in the Middle East as a practice of Islam, and is now a part of Jewish mysticism. After searching unsuccessfully for her prized stone, Rosen decided to simply make one herself. When she received positive feedback from others, she followed her desire to make "fashion that welcomes good energies," and incorporated her own good energies into a proper self-run jewelry business.

Using self-styled hand knitting, hand sculpturing, and silvercrafting techniques that Rosen gained through more than a decade of study, Luckxurys sells creative pieces (mostly bracelets and necklaces) that are stylistically unique. The Red Bracelet uses a simple wax wire knit string, handmade lucky charms, made from a mixture of calcium and polymer clay, and an easy loop clasp to fasten the string after you wrap it around your wrist a few times. The meaning of the color is taken from the Kabbalah. Red symbolizes danger, passion, and love, which makes it the strongest protector against evil. However, other colors are available.

Innovation in jewelry is difficult to come by these days, yet Luckxurys managed to develop something contemporary using an ancient concept. Made to be durable, the Red Bracelet can be worn daily without removal, which might not be such a bad thing for those plagued with bad ju-ju.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, January 9th 2010

Black Tagua Ring

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:28:00 +0000

By Muichic

As a society, we are constantly becoming more aware of how many beautiful materials we use in our attempts to make ourselves and our homes beautiful are incredibly harmful to the environment. After years of mining for silver, harvesting for mahogany, and slaughtering for ivory have taken their toll, we’ve started seeking out more viable fashion options. Organic is replacing synthetic and sustainable is replacing rare.

Yet, many of us must guiltily admit that despite our desire to be eco-minded, equally appealing substitutes can be hard to find; however, Muichic has overcome this obstacle with the tagua nut ring. In layman’s terms, dubbed vegetable ivory, tagua nuts come from an ivory-nut palm that grows in the humid rainforests of South America. This raw material can be harvested without negatively affecting their habitat, and provides an economic alternative to destroying the rainforests for farming.

The best part, however, is the natural beauty of Muichic’s products. Smooth and substantial, the shapes and designs of their rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings embody a natural vibe. All products are 100% handmade in Colombia, and each tagua nut has its own unique grain and shape, making every item one of a kind. The ring is comfortable to wear and compliments anything from a tribal print dress to jeans and a funky t-shirt. The company is based in Vermont, which makes buying and shipping within the United States easy and affordable.

As we all become better buyers with a conscience, Muichic's tagua accessories are a great, organic, eco-friendly option. Companies like Muichic are advancing the movement to reconcile our vanity with our scruples, which is a great thing for fashion and our planet.

Written by: Melissa Ablett, January 3rd 2010

Raven Necklace

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

By Oberon Design

Ravens have captured human imagination since the beginning of time, and it seems I am no exception. My pewter raven necklace from Oberon Design is the most unique piece of jewelry I have ever owned. The image of a raven cast in pewter and strung on a black leather cord gives this necklace a medieval feeling. I was inspired to learn more about ravens after receiving my necklace in the mail, and I discovered that when it comes to ravens, there doesn’t seem to be a middle ground: you either love them or you hate them.

The mythology surrounding ravens is rich, plentiful, fascinating, and downright unsettling at times. I discovered on Wikipedia that the legend of ravens in the tower of London is so important to the people of England that ten ravens (six on duty and four young spares) are employed by the Tower of London at the expense of the British government:

A Yeoman Warder, or Beefeater, has the specific role of Ravenmaster at the Tower and takes care of their feeding and well being…It was said that Charles II ordered their removal following complaints from John Flamsteed, the Royal Astronomer. However, they were not removed because Charles was then told of the legend that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the White Tower, the monarchy, and the entire kingdom would fall…

A wild raven can live for more than thirty years, lest it be bested by its natural enemies, the great horned owl and red tail hawk. The raven can actually be trained to speak, and often makes utterances that sound like "cras, cras." (The word cras means tomorrow in Latin.) This has fed into the legend of ravens being the ultimate oracle, and it is considered one of the most, if not the most, intelligent birds.

Oberon Design is a family owned business based in Santa Rosa, CA that makes quality tooled leather goods and hand cast pewter items that are truly works of art. The company casts their necklace medallions in small batches of six to eight using 100% lead-free Britannia pewter. You can adjust the necklace length to suit your mood and style ranging from 24” to 12” (choker style). The leather cords are made in Greece by a family-owned operation that has been making them for generations. Each of Oberon Design's medallions has a one-word inspirational message inscribed on the backside. The message on my necklace is “Raven.”

Written by: Gita Tewari, December 26th 2009

Moonlit Necklace & Flying Home Ring

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:07:00 +0000

By Bohème Jewelry

Having made its premiere in the northern Italian city of Turin in 1896, La bohème is now the second most frequently performed opera in the United States—so says Wikipedia. Ordinarily, the near-winner might be a little miffed at the first place slot being granted to another, but Tuscan composer Giacomo Puccini loses to no one other than himself. The foremost operatic popularity goes to another of Puccini's masterworks: Madame Butterfly.

Using a visually aesthetic motif similar to that of the aural designs of Puccini, Bohème Jewelry crafts unique pieces that are at once forward-thinking and vintage. Sheryl Pang's handcrafted designs are thoughtful and complex, yet not overly so as to render them inaccessible to the average wearer. They have an air of nineteenth century Parisian cosmopolitanism with a smidgen of Gothic art.

Imagine yourself as a ragtag artist in the French capital under Russian occupation and during the period of Restoration. Your city is on the cusp of a wave of industrialization that will lead to a great number of transformations. With technology, trade, and tourism at your doorstep, the opera houses become a refuge for creativity.

The Moonlit Necklace and Flying Home Ring are anachronistic pieces of jewelry that hearken to the tragically romantic allure to which Puccini's compositions have given voice. Nestled in the center of an oxidized brass fern is a Swarovski crystal the color of sky. The pendant hangs from a sixteen-inch chain that matches the brass of the flora. Painted with a verdigris patina, the brass ring is twisted into a delicate pattern that features a swallow holding two pink-toned Swarovski pearls and a baby blue Czech glass bead in its beak. Both pieces have a feminine sensibility that is delightfully contrasted with the sturdiness of the design.

A chain smoker of both cigarettes and cigars (a staple of the European artistic elite), Giacomo Puccini died of throat cancer just a month prior to his sixty-sixth birthday. As the story goes, a New York orchestra played Chopin's Funeral March the moment news of Puccini's death reached the city, which was, ironically, in the midst of a performance of La bohème.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 30th 2009

Black Lip Mother of Pearl Round Earrings

admin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:58:00 +0000

By Zeba

Today is Black Friday, the mother of all shopping days in my country of origin where business profits turn from red to black and bank accounts from black to red. Someone in the mid-sixties must have had one hell of a sense of humor to time this day to fall directly after Thanksgiving. One day Americans join with their families in (mock) appreciation of their conquested homeland and the next they begin an altogether too similar conquest, only this time it's consumer goods they're after instead of arable land. During the year's most populated shopping extravaganza, malls across the nation flood at the crack of dawn with parents who are so under the influence of the holiday spirit that they'll fight to the death over the year's Tickle Me Elmo equivalent. Karl Marx was right about history repeating itself.

After working for a year slinging ice cream and coffee, I got hired at sixteen to sling records—well, cassettes and CDs—in a seasonal position at my mall's Sam Goody. The immovable start date was Black Friday. After the holiday stint was complete, I was granted a permanent place in the glow of florescent lights and Top 40 hits, which led to my working at a snarky, indie record shop—think High Fidelity—through college and the subsequent solidification of a certain hipster snobbery. Try as I might to be aesthetically accommodating, I am very hard to please.

Pleasantly nontraditional, Zeba's well-crafted handmade jewelry is made in Detroit for finicky people like me. No doubt this is, in part, because the pieces' design influence comes from Sholeh Mesbah's fourteen years of diverse artistic experience. From water color to stained class to architecture to metal working techniques, Mesbah brings a variety of skills to her eclectic array of (mostly) one of a kind pieces.

Having already fallen for one pair of stunning pearl earrings, I am now experimenting with polyamory in the wake of the addition of the Black Lip Mother of Pearl Round Earrings to my jewelry box. A smooth ring of smokey pearl with just a hint shimmery gleam is attached to a silver ear wire with Bali spacer beads to complete a look that is straightforward and versatile. The sturdily crafted circular pair are so light that I frequently forget I am wearing them until I hear the ubiquitous gasp followed by, "I love those earrings!"

Although typically given to modesty, I have no problem promoting the work of others, so I confidently reply, "They're great, right?! And with the holidays coming up..." I know, the "sell" might be a little much, but in this corporate dominated scene, feminists have got to give props where we can to talented entrepreneurial women who are out there doing their thing.

Listen, skip the one-stop shop this year and personalize your gift selections from the comfort of your own home (or work) computer. The new Norah Jones album isn't all that great anyway, and neither is a visit to the mall.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 27th 2009

Circle of Fire Pendant

admin — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:36:00 +0000

By Trace Ellements

I know this will sound strange (and very Freudian), but I like to put things in my mouth. I get a mysterious enjoyment out of experiencing an object’s texture against my tongue and teeth. Porcelain is a most odious oral encounter, and just the thought of its grainy surface scraping against my enamel is enough to send a shiver down my spine. It’s kind of like when you bite into a piece of dirt that wasn’t entirely washed away during a dish's preparation, and it thwarts enjoyment of the remainder of the meal because you’re worried the offense will happen again.

The rasty flavor of metal harkens three years of braces, which included breaking my upper palate to make room for all of my adult teeth, another altogether unpleasant experience. I prefer the taste of things that are glassy and smooth, and perhaps this source of consolation was embedded during my pacifier days, but gnawing on the soft plastic of a teething ring is one of my favorites, reminding me of the firm slickness of gummy bears.

Whatever the origin of my rather odd inclination, one look at the slick glass of the Circle of Fire Pendant by Trace Ellements caused me to shove the duo-toned agate pendant was into my mouth. The tiny clinking of soft stone on my right canine generated a comforting smile. I imagined the plink-plink-plink sound, like that of a pin dropping onto a crystal surface, to be the giggles of tree sprites. I slid its constant coolness against my pursed lips and slowly passed the oxidized brass chain between the closed space. The brass was smooth.

As much as I was enjoying my semi-fetish, wearing this modern take on a retro style derived a more aesthetic satisfaction. The earthy exterior color is set off by a blotchy red, which makes the piece seem aged despite its contemporary design. I clasped the chain of the somewhat weighty circle so that it would rest at the top of my sternum and call attention to the v-shaped space on my chest left bare by a layered, embroidered, a-line dress from Anthropologie. Now if I can just find a pair of strappy yet sophisticated sandals the color of drying mud, I’ll be all set for a romantic dinner for two. My partner forgives my oddity; truth be told, he quite enjoys it.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 22nd 2009