silver

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

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

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

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head Earrings / Lady Robot Red Pocket Mirror

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:57:00 +0000

By LaNinja

I used to be a fussy gal when it came to keeping up appearances. I obsessively straightened my hair, checked my makeup many times a day, and had a sizable collection of collared shirts. Along the way—between the radicalizing of my politics, inheriting much of my grandmother's wardrobe, and deciding that what I call ugly chic best represents my humble upbringings and current socioeconomic situation—I put my flat iron in storage, threw out all of my makeup (save for a mascara wand for special occasions), and gave away all my collared shirts that required starch. I'm still able to fix myself up quite nicely, but the pretense is gone. I'm much more comfortable with a foundation-free face and fun jewelry to dress up my somewhat drab but functional clothing.

LaNinja, a friendly designer named Miia based in Stockholm, Sweden, makes accessories that speak to my minimalist, kitschy ways. All of her sterling silver jewelry is handmade in her studio, and her glass jewelry is hand-fired in her kiln. My silver Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head Earrings—a set comprised of one raindrop and one cloud—are perhaps some of the most sturdy yet dainty accessories I have owned. Both shapes were handcut, soldered, and oxidized with the oxidation lightly brushed for texture. I recently purchased new wellies to keep my feet dry during rainshowers, and I do tend to live in a dreary climate, so the more wet weather accessories—whether functional or just for show—are quite appropriate. I also enjoy songs about bad weather because I'm a bit of a curmudgeon by nature. These include titles like "Only Happy When It Rains" and my earrings' namesake. (I prefer the Burt Bacharach version.)

At 3.5 inches in diameter and adorned with a LaNinja original design, my Lady Robot Red Pocket Mirror puts to shame the dollar store mirror used by my co-worker to obsessively check her makeup and hair. She probably thinks I'm an unkempt mess, but I'd rather opt for more sleep and less primp time. I can use my mirror on the train to work if I really need a touch-up.

As office politics stress have brought on a strange bought of facial skin irritation of late, a mirror in my bag serves me well. I'm frequently red and bumpy without a full blown outbreak. My acupuncturist says I have stagnant qi. Thus, I enjoy the contrast of my red mirror, which is a more extreme color than I am. Why must robots always be portrayed as male? My female robot design is an appropriate nod to my past as a pseudo-techie and the recovery I have since thankfully made. Much to Donna Haraway's chagrin, I do not consider myself a cyborg feminist.

While LaNinja maintains an impressive Etsy shop, a larger selection of her designs and wares can be found on her own website. You don't have to be a granny clothes grouch like me to enjoy her goodies. In fact, if you like cheerful greens and blues, water themes, and gorgeous handmade silver designs, you'll probably adore Miia's work.

Written by: Brittany Shoot, November 14th 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

Smoove Lines: A Birthstone Bangle in Sterling Silver

admin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:03:00 +0000

By The Pretty Peacock

For those who can’t seem to find unique (and affordable!) jewelry that isn’t of the sort sold in droves at retail chains, The Pretty Peacock is your answer. Self-proclaimed “Head Bird” Ana Talukder Simpson says The Pretty Peacock believes jewelry should evoke emotion, capture a memory, or tell a story; it’s not just about what matches with your outfit.

Smoove Lines is a perfect example of this mantra. Not only does it commemorate the month of your birth, but its simple elegance also captures a sense of ambition and determination—a bright stone in the middle of it all, both literally and figuratively. Featuring a smooth finish and a glimmering birthstone, the bangle stands alone perfectly or can be layered with other pieces. Mine is emerald and the stone really pops against the satin finish of the silver. Plus, the stone is set in between the two ends of the bracelet so it has an elegant wave-like design. It is handmade of hefty gauge sterling silver and the birthstone is handset, making it very durable.

What struck me even more than the bracelet, however, was the care and sophistication used in the packaging process. The bracelet came in a beautiful box embellished with The Pretty Peacock logo. Inside, the bracelet was contained within a velvet brown bag. With this level of care in presentation, you can see how delicately The Pretty Peacock treats its products. If you’re looking to wow someone with a gift, this is it.

The only thing to remember about this bracelet is that it has a standard inner diameter of two and a half inches. Due to the sturdy material used on the Birthstone Bangle you cannot adjust the size. However, since every item is created when you order it, you can ask for a smaller or larger size. Just keep in mind that there is no adjusting afterward.

Written by: Michelle Tooker, October 24th 2009

Good Karma Pendant

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:36:00 +0000

By The Pretty Peacock

The Good Karma Pendant from The Pretty Peacock is an interesting metaphor for my current relationship with feminism. At some point during my teenage years, I discovered the identifying term while reading Gloria Steinem's Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions, which I'd found in a secondhand bookstore that I frequented. Picking it up like it was the first breath of life: painful yet invigorating.

An introvert who frequently and necessarily seeks solace in worlds of fiction—the kind novelist Jonathan Franzen wittily describes in his brilliant work How To Be Alone—Steinem's collection of essays about women's oppression was a turning point in my intellectual and bibliographic progression. Non-fiction became my priority, relegating fiction to a pile of things I believed I no longer needed. I learned from Steinem that I didn't need to escape the world; I needed to mold it into my utopic vision in order to be fully present in my existence within it.

Perhaps it goes without saying that I was painfully naive. I imagined that, like novels themselves, the world I would create for myself and others was one of equity for all. At the time I knew little of dynamism and fluidity and the absence of a singular truth. I named the world I'd fuzzily conjured feminism, named those who inhabited this egalitarian world feminists (even if they didn't refer to themselves in that way), and stood behind my ever-evolving creation like a shield. I put that name front-and-center. I dared anyone to take it away from me... until the day I took it away from myself because I no longer wanted a weapon, and I was tired of the fighting that came mostly from within the ranks.

Crises of faith are always unexpected and expectantly difficult, but (re)birth is a spectacular thing. The Good Karma Pendant reminds me of that organically produced beauty. Nestled in the carved flora on the front of this eco-friendly pendant is a speck of feminine pink, a tourmaline birthstone gem—October, the month of my mother's birth—embedded along a curve of circular fine silver. It stands out like a flower among the weeds. With a sterling chain that is linked and adjustable, there is no one size fits all. On the back, obscured from view when you look from the most convenient direction, is one word: feminist. All caps. Forcefully impressed into the metal by a steady hand. Most of the time I am the only one who knows it's there... sticking around to see what will be revealed next.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, October 20th 2009

Turquoise and Carnelian Sterling Silver Earrings

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:48:00 +0000

By Amy Holton Designs

You can’t get Mexican food in Kolkata to save your life. Sure, some places say they have Mexican, but when you get there all you find is some wack version of nachos that are so tasteless and bland that even the most spice-phobic person would beg for something to liven up the dish. You can get passable tapas if you’re willing to spend a pretty penny, but that's hardly the same. In other words, if you want the real deal, you’ve got to make it at home.

This lack of Mexican food here makes no sense to me considering the abundantly similar ingredients used in Bengali and Mexican cuisines. Beans? Check. Tomatoes? Check. Onions? Check. Cilantro? Cumin? Hot peppers? Chili powder? Check, check, check, and check. Massive quantities of oil? Check. And these are just what is readily available.

Easy to obtain, Punjabi rumali roti can easily substitute for a flour tortilla, and different varieties of cheese (though expensive) can be obtained with little effort from Spencer’s, a one-stop shop similar to SuperTarget. Sour cream can be made with a little time, lemon or buttermilk, and heavy cream, so really, the only thing missing is avocado—but that is only absent because I simply refuse to pay $4USD per avocado to the exotic food scoundrels in New Market when there are better uses for my hard earned cash.

The one and a half year absence of this culinary staple has made it a mental focal point, so when I saw the brilliantly blue turquoise and carved carnelian gemstone earrings by Amy Holton Designs, I immediately longed for Cancún. Granted, I’ve never actually been to Cancún, but I imagine it has a effervescent feel similar to this delectable pair whose price tag ($25) won’t break the bank. The lightweight design and sterling silver ear wires make them easy to wear all day long, which is good because the unique style will have you coordinating your outfits to match your earrings instead of the other way around.

Amy Holton started making jewelry after being laid off from Enron during the 2001 scandal. Turning her corporate disillusionment into personal artistic fulfillment, Amy’s creative fuse was lit while working with the Houston Ballet and subsequently exploded after she and her husband moved to the indie arts and music capital of the Southwest—Austin, TX—in 2007. Taking the opportunity to launch her own business selling hand-made jewelry, Amy Holton Designs pushed its way into existence.

Clearly inspired by nature, each piece is a unique creation mined from the earth and sea. Don’t mind my excess salivation while wearing the Turquoise and Carnelian Sterling Silver Earrings. I’m simply recollecting the tart and tangy taste of a margarita. Mmmm.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, October 14th 2009

Lucky Jade Collection Ring

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:22:00 +0000

By Yumi Chen

Lately I am most offended by one thing, and that thing is cliché. Cliché is so offensive to me because it is steeped in one’s inability to be creative. Whether Jon Stewart wearing a fat suit in order to get cheap laughs about American obesity or trolls who hurl sexist epithets on feminist-y blogs, my tongue goes into automatic clucking mode when the formulaic is, well, formulated. It’s a waste of time and resources, valuable commodities that are often taken for granted by those with the ability to do so.

I was happy to discover Yumi Chen’s designs are anything but cliché. This New York-based jewelry designer pulls from her varied professional history as a concert violinist, professional pastry chef, and mathematician for inspiration. She incorporates her lived learning by way of color, materials, meticulousness, and business savvy in order to make and sell her beautifully unique pieces.

The Lucky Jade Collection could easily fall into the traps and replicate the green, carved elephants and big belly Buddha figurines one finds in every other store in Chinatown, but it doesn’t. Instead, Chen uses a rose-shaped Burmese stone and twists of sterling silver fashioned into the u-shaped base of a ring that is imaginative and inspired. Slip it on your finger and conversation blooms around the stunning piece that adorns your digit.

The Lucky Jade Collection is just one of twelve series of Chen’s jewelry, most of which are given floral names to indicate the enormous variety Yumi Chen has to offer. This ambitious woman is about to open a store on Madison Avenue in New York City. If you’re looking for a retail sales position, give her a shout!

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, October 5th 2009

Cherrystone Earrings

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:09:00 +0000

By Cherrystone Earrings

When I was a kid, my mom would stop at the same gas station every week to fill the tank. The spot was a local affair with a tiny convenience store attached that housed assorted odds and ends. I always looked forward to those trips to the pump because my mother's way of occupying my sisters and I during the seemingly endless flow was to give us a quarter each to buy ourselves a piece of candy. My favorite were the giant chewy Sweet Tarts.

Before leaving the store, I would start salivating just thinking about the taste of the round sour chews, and by the time we got home, I would have gobbled all four of them up. On the rare occasion that sweet tarts were unavailable, I moved on to my second choice: a sour apple Jolly Rancher stick. Despite the stick being second to the chew in taste, it easily won out in aesthetics. The hard candy was slick, green, and deliciously transparent—not unlike Moonrise Jewelry's Cherrystone Earrings.

Made from deep green recycled glass beads and fair trade sterling silver ear wires, the Cherrystone Earrings ($25) are a perfect accent piece for outfits both casual and dressy. Adaptability is a common theme among the stylistic and ideological vision of this progressive, eco-friendly jewelry maker. Whether rolling up your sleeves to build a habitat for humanity or hosting an art auction fundraiser for charity, this pair would be perfectly at home in your ensemble. In fact, they may well steal the show.

Handmade in Virginia, I wonder if these lightweight yet sturdy earrings aren't named after Cherrystone Campground, a nature getaway alongside the Chesapeake Bay where luxurious cabins and tent-style "roughing it" cohabit nicely. Another possibility of the moniker's origin is a throwback to a particularly small type of quahog that was used as currency by some Native Americans, but given the latter's decreased geographical relevance—and my own irrational bias against crustaceans—I'm going to bank on camping over clams.

As further demonstration of its social justice mission, Moonrise is providing Feminist Review readers a 15% Discount off anything and everything on their website. The discount code is 'FEMINIST' and there is no expiration date. Anyone up for some holiday shopping?

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, October 4th 2009

Freshwater Pearl and Blue Topaz Earrings

admin — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:58:00 +0000

By Amy Holton Designs

I’m going to my first Indian wedding this December, a celebration I am enormously excited about because of the sheer enormity of this type of event. Indian weddings are multi-day festivities filled with family, friends, fun, and (best of all) food. The wedding I will attend will be a particularly exciting culinary event; it is sure to include a sampler of delicacies from West Bengal, the Punjab, and Burma, a feast that is a reflection of the multiple and overlapping ethnicities of the bride and groom.

Now, I’m not a wedding kind of gal. I didn’t have one myself, and I’ve deftly avoided being in them, but this is an altogether different kind of affair than the cookie cutter wedding industrial complex in the States. Indian weddings are a community experience; families parade in the streets playing music, dancing, singing, and making all kinds of merriment. To attend an event that involves this degree of fanfare, you know a girl’s got to be dressed to the nines.

While I haven’t yet chosen a sari to wear—an apparent requirement for weddings and another first of mine—I have selected the earrings: Freshwater Pearl and Blue Topaz Earrings by Amy Holton Designs. The choice for ear decoration was an obvious one. Resembling a tiny bunch of grapes, this group of freshwater pearls hangs from a sterling silver hook above one solitary blue topaz briolette whose color is so subtle it could by mistaken for clear. I envision a light blue raw silk sari embroidered with a cream colored thread would match this pair perfectly.

But don’t let my pomp and circumstance fool you. The Freshwater Pearl and Blue Topaz Earrings aren’t too fancy for the every day. It’s just that my taste is a little non-traditional, and pearls feel a bit more elegant than my own drab daily attire permits. If you favor a classical vibe, the Freshwater Pearl and Blue Topaz Earrings will add a bit of subdued sparkle to your day-to-day ensemble. For me, I’ll keep them around for the more celebratory occasions.

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, September 27th 2009