necklace

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

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

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

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

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

Poppies Silhouette Pendant

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:46:00 +0000

By NoisyBirdStudio

This simple yet beautiful handmade pendant has a base of a one inch square piece of fiberboard and is but one of the hundreds of choices available from NoisyBirdStudio, a husband and wife team from New Hampshire. The husband cuts out the fiberboard tiles, and the wife does the rest.

Once she creates her tiny pieces of art and prints them “using high-quality laser print and paper,” she sands and seals the edges and applies a “non-toxic glass-like resin” to the top. The resin on my pendant seems very sturdy and resistant to cracks and chips. I was able to make small dents in it with fingernail and teeth while putting it through rigorous product testing, but there were no problems from normal wear around my neck. The pendant did come with a tiny note specifying that the top finish is water-resistant, but not waterproof, and recommending removal before showering, swimming, and other wet activities.

The pendants are sold alone, without any chain or cord, allowing for individual choice. NoisyBirdStudio does sell both 2.4mm silver plated ball chain and 2mm, 18-inch long black leather pendant cord with a sterling silver spring clasp. Another option would be to hang it from a matching or contrasting length of ribbon, yarn, or braided embroidery floss. My poppies hang from an old, dull ball chain, which makes the overall look a little tougher, a little less dainty.

The pendants can also be used as zipper pulls. A three-inch, silver-plated ball chain with clasp can be added to any pendant, making it a fun addition to backpack, purse, coat, jacket, or any item carried or worn by someone who doesn’t wear necklaces. For folks who can’t find the perfect words or image among the multitude of offerings, NoisyBirdStudio takes on custom orders, even creating designs from scratch. They can turn a photo or other work of art into a truly one-of-a-kind creation.

The affordability of the lovely pieces from NoisyBirdStudio, coupled with the abundance of designs, makes it easy to pick out a special piece for every friend and family member. I think I can make all my winter holiday purchases in this one little Etsy shop.

As for my poppies, I enjoy the unusual pairing of brown and pink, their subtle beauty dangling at my throat.

Written by: Chantel C. Guidry, November 16th 2009

Japanese Floral and Forest Pendants

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:09:00 +0000

By 2mile Jewelry

My first assignment for the Indian edition of Marie Claire was to write a book review of Kamila Shamsie’s novel Burnt Shadows. Having never written for a glossy mag before, I was quite excited about this opportunity—but nervous too. Bigger publications have a tendency to censor unflattering sentiments that might alienate potential advertisers, and when it comes to fiction, I’m not easy to please. If I failed to be impressed by Shamsie’s work, would I still get the gig? Fortunately, I never had to find out.

The book’s back cover description may fool a potential reader into thinking Burnt Shadows is about the life of a Japanese woman in Nagasaki post-atomic bomb detonation, but it’s not. Although she is the only constant figure throughout the novel, Hiroko Tanaka is simply the conduit through which one is introduced to an entire cast of global characters, all of whom are beautifully fleshed out and whole. Many times, the reader learns of a character far before that person is actually introduced into the main story, which makes it all the more exciting to meet them when they finally do make their entrance. The seamless shifts from one person’s perspective to another create a cinematic element to the story, and while reading Burnt Shadows I found myself wondering if Shamsie has sold the film rights to this book, as it is enormously adaptable to the big screen.

So if this is a jewelry review, why am I spending so much time hyping a novel? Like Tanaka herself, this review is the conduit through which the Japanese Floral and Forest pendants are introduced, as both have a particularly florid Japanese aesthetic. The cherry blossom design on the Japanese Floral, in particular, pendant brings to mind the two unprecedented and (so far) un-replicated events that eventually led to the end of World War II at the expense of thousands of civilian lives in Japan. It brings this to mind because the springtime blooming of the delicate pink flowers in both Washington, D.C. and Hiroshima’s Peace Park are an annual reminder of these devastating events; the trees in the U.S. capital city were originally gifted in 1912 by Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. It’s a friendship that comes and goes.

One’s seemingly harmless and well-intended personal choices necessarily accumulate and intersect with the lives of others to create cause and effect simultaneously and mold our individual and collective pasts, presents, and futures in ways both known and unknown. In Burnt Shadows, the concept of home is fluid and dynamic, as Shamsie embodies the world in her characters. The story glides from one geographic landscape to another—Delhi, Karachi, New York, Afghanistan—giving the reader a glimpse of what life may be like for those living in multiple locales while blurring topographic borders that are arbitrary yet endlessly meaningful. Everyone is an outsider in one context or another, yet all fit together and fill each others' lives with what was previously missing. Every character has a role to play, and each role is as important as the next.

Though largely weightless, the Japanese Floral and Forest pendants are heavy with meaning: impossible love that is made possible, unlikely friendships forged from necessity, betrayal of the worst kind, premature loss of loved ones. This is my own association for this pair of pendants, a representation of natural beauty crafted from the dirt by human hands that toiled and provided care. I’ll be sure to wear them with the requisite grace and humility they deserve.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 15th 2009

Apple Geranium Leaf Pendant

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:26:00 +0000

By RikiCraft

A lot of people have brilliant discoveries after coming to New York City. In a place where the world collides, it's easy to understand why hoards of tourists walk around slack-jawed and eyes glazed wearing their wonder on their sleeve while snapping photo after photo of cobblestone streets turning into fish markets turning into ultra-modern glass and steel as far as the eye can see. As a small town Georgia girl cum ATLien cum Brooklynite (Bed-Stuy not Billyburg), there was one thing I was most shocked by upon moving to the Big City: seasons.

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall: what were these crazy shifts in temperature and environment about? In Georgia we have two seasons: hot and hotter. So the first time I was subjected to a snow-filled nor'easter and a pile of colorful autumn leaves, I memorialized it all on film. RikiCraft takes this love of nature one step further: the Japanese designer memorializes fallen leaves by making them into wearable works of art.

Here's how the transformation happens: a leaf springs from a tree (in this case an apple geranium tree) in Riki's family garden and she collects it, enjoying the smell it emits while gathering the other necessary materials to begin the conversion. Next, Riki uses a silver paste to paint the backside of the leaf with painstaking care to avoid structural damage. After the paste dries, the leaf is flipped and the other side is painted. Paint and Dry. Paint and Dry. Twenty times altogether until the one-of-a-kind pendant is ready for the kiln. When it emerges, Riki gently polishes the tiny leaf, attaches it to a silver chain, and lovingly places the delicate finished piece alongside a polishing cloth on a bed of tissue paper inside a starkly white, rectangular box, which is finally tied closed with a single red string.

The Apple Geranium Leaf Pendant is meticulous beauty handcrafted by an artist whose adoration of the outdoors and love for the jewelry-making craft is apparent. Until I can get back to a geographic locale where seasonal isn't simply theoretical posturing, I wear this necklace to remind myself of the place in which I long to be.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 13th 2009

Hyacinth Collection Crystal Moon Necklace

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:45:00 +0000

By Yumi Chen

I was born March 23, 1980 at 1:30 a.m. in San Diego, California. This moment of happenstance means that I just made the cut for being the fire sign Aries, a bold astrological identification. This arbitrary timing is also the cause of my birthstone being Aquamarine, a barely-there blue resembling the clarity of the ocean in a place untouched by tourism like Lakshadweep. I find this fire and water coupling somewhat ironic, but take it to be an indicator of the fluid duality of my existence: I am both/and—not either/or—and the capricious conditions of my birth are enough proof for me.

I wonder what the moon looked like the first time my mother visited San Francisco. She was twenty-four years old, unmarried, and had a two-year old daughter from a marriage that didn’t work out. The man who took her to see the seals play near the Fisherman’s Wharf and for a nighttime walk across the Bay Bridge was my father, then an officer in the Navy. The two were introduced by shared friends in a bar at the San Diego Naval Base just months before and were enjoying each other’s company very much. It was on the bus back from Frisco that it occurred to my mother that her period was late.

I wonder what the moon looked like from the rust-colored bridge that summer. I wonder if my mom even noticed the moon, and if that had been a subconscious tip off that her cycle wasn’t following its typical twenty-eight-day routine. When my parents left the courthouse a month later—marriage certificate in one hand and my older sister in the other—what phase did the moon find itself in? How did the moon show itself on the day of my birth? Or when my dad left for Okinawa—a work assignment that doomed an already failing marriage? You see, the moon is a powerful thing. It gives us things of gravity, like wind and waves and the consistent marking of time as a circular, nonlinear entity.

When I wear Yumi Chen’s Crystal Moon necklace, I find myself looking from the moon on my chest to the one in the Indian night sky. The iridescent Swarovski crystal one is as dazzling as its predecessor and accompanied by just as much sparkling bling—from Aquamarine and Blue Zircon Swarovski crystals to glittery 14kt gold-filled beads on a likewise golden eighteen-inch chain. I marvel at their differing yet similar beauty and smile. When the moon is gone from my view, it is gracing that of my family and friends on the opposite side of the earth. I hope the daily visit from this ever-changing orb reminds them of me.

Yumi Chen is providing Feminist Review readers a 20% Discount off anything and everything on her website. The discount code is 'feminist20' and should be entered at the checkout. Might as well get some holiday shopping done early, right?

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 8th 2009

Wildflower Burst Silhouette Pendant

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:41:00 +0000

By NoisyBirdStudio

Before I moved to India, I sold everything I owned save for one giant suitcase full of necessary odds and ends, eight boxes of books, four over-stuffed CD holders, and a couple crates of records. All but the suitcase and its contents are stored with friends who were kind enough to lend a corner of their already crowded New York City apartments for the duration of my two-plus year excursion across the world. When one rids oneself of nearly all of one’s material possessions, the items one keeps give a pretty accurate description of what that person deems important. One item I just couldn’t part with was the board game Scrabble.

Scrabble is a game of words and strategy that can be played individually or with a partner. When playing solo against my partner, I tend to get bored and frustrated. The most readily available opponent in Kolkata, the time he takes when planning out his method of potential success wears on my patience. Each turn is an excruciating ordeal whereby I tap my fingers on the table and sigh loudly while my partner hems-and-haws for several minutes over the next painstaking move that will leave as little room as possible for me to maneuver my creatively conjured five- to seven-tile words. My own wordplay begins to express my emotions: hungry, annoyed, vexing.

Eventually one of us wins, and as I put the game back into its box we quibble about our differing styles and expectations. He plays games to win while I play simply to play. Ultimately, when it’s just the two of us, neither of us has much fun. So, we keep the tiles on the shelf until our annoyance at our difference has been sufficiently forgotten, and my desire to play my favorite game is renewed—or we invite friends to join who can add a little variety to this subdued recreation.

NoisyBirdStudio’s Wildflower Burst Silhouette Pendant necklace reminds me of Scrabble because the one-by-one inch square teal pendant is made from a similar semi-woody material. There is a foggy spot smack dab in the center of the white daisy that makes me think of my propensity to obscure the memory of my partner’s and my doomed game playing in favor of seeing the beauty in the intended design. Perhaps it’s India that gave this misty edge to an otherwise cutesy piece. It wouldn’t be the first time the country has added its unique flavor to a piece of my jewelry. Some might be disappointed and see the cloud as a flaw, but I think it adds a bit of realism... in a literary kind of way.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 1st 2009

Two Roads Necklace / Forever Necklace

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0000

By Two Roads

Cloudberries—also known as 'bakeapples'—are a tiny fruit found in the Northern Hemisphere. Like jewelry designer Ioulia, who hails from Espoo in the Helsinki municipality of Finland, cloudberries thrive in colder climates and produce rich color. Influenced by their delicate vibrancy, Ioulia named her shop for the cinnamon-colored berries. In her beautiful handcrafted designs, it's easy to see the simple but elegant inspiration.

I’m a sucker for pretty gift wrapping. Once upon an embarrassing childhood, I won an enormous 4-H trophy: Reserve Grand Champion, Gift Wrapping. My quirky perfectionist traits apparently manifest early. When I received my dainty package from Ioulia, I was immediately charmed by the thin corrugated chocolate cardboard box. Inside, I found even greater joy: two thin asymmetrical necklaces, Two Roads and Forever, in black/gray and amber-brown respectively.

As Ioulia says, "Asymmetry is not for everyone." That's a shame because a little nonconformity never hurt anyone. Her asymmetrical necklaces are simply divine. Both Two Roads and Forever versions of her off-center designs are made with simple, but stylish colors, catching the light in almost any room without being overly dramatic. Wearing Ioulia's necklaces, you never have to fear unintentional conspicuousness. All of her designs can be custom ordered, and I personally chose earthy tones to best match the muted colors of my wardrobe. If it is of concern, all of Ioulia's beaded necklaces are also hypoallergenic.

My best friend, an employment lawyer who has better style than anyone I have ever known, will be receiving a Forever necklace for her January birthday. It's always a challenge to present her with impressive accessories, but at least I know she does not obsessively read my reviews. I think I can keep this one under wraps for a few more months.

Written by: Brittany Shoot, October 31st 2009