earrings

Marolsha Jewelry

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

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

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

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

Green Arm Cuff with Wooden Marble Buttons / Flax Farm Hoop Earrings / Face Scrubbies

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

By Le Chat Crochet

I have a proud family history of hand-me-downs, secondhand stores, and thrift. My mother once had a bumper sticker: “This car stops for yard sales.” I am familiar with “rummaging” as a sanctioned, communal activity for acquiring goods; have visited flea markets in several countries; filled paper sacks at $1 “bag sales”; and as a child, I often accompanied my realtor father to tag and estate sales. For years, I have longed to visit the Highway 127 Yard Sale. My grandmothers—who stayed friends long after my parents split up—used to convene every summer in my hometown to go “saling”—that is, to buy a local Thursday/Friday/Saturday newspaper, circle the best garage sales in pen, and drive around all day looking for bargains. They didn’t need a map. Thrift is bred early.

When one of my grandmothers moved into an assisted living community several years ago, I was sent in to sort her closets jammed full of old magazines, spools of ribbon, shoe horns, and half-burned candles. At the time, I lived across the country, yet there was no one better for the job. I sat in heaps of recipes, plastic bags, and cloth scraps for days, sorting old letters, checking sell-by dates on canned food, and reclaiming a childhood record player found hidden in a large leaf bag in the pantry. In the end, we donated, sold, and shipped antiques and knick-knacks to relatives in several states.

After I’d gone back to my East Coast home, my father called from Indiana. “I’m sitting in grandma’s garage!” he announced. “Dad, I already went through that stuff,” I said, wary of his excitement. “You threw away things that could be recycled!” he hollered. He went on to explain that he had brought back all of the garbage bags from the dumpster in the alley—seven, he chided—and at that moment, sat pulling out the plastics and metal cans while listening to a sports game on the radio.

Despite the eccentricities passed down in my genes, I understand that reclaiming an old sweater to make new wearables is not only currently en vogue but also intelligent economics. It should also come as no surprise that I marvel at the exquisite and interesting ways artists and craftspeople upcycle. Le Chat Crochet, a modest Etsy shop based in Amsterdam, is one of the best examples of this modern reclamation I have found. Astrid, the shop’s mastermind, offers a simple selection of upcycled goods, from earrings and arm bands to hot pads and face scrubbies.

My awesome selection from Le Chat Crochet’s shop includes a deep green armband with marbled wooden buttons and hoop earrings with fifty-year-old reused flax yarn crocheted on the bottom edge for dainty decoration. I also received four face scrubbies that are modeled after coaster crochet patterns and are perfect for the astringent that removes dirt and oil from my slightly cranky face. If you’ve ever used a facial tonic, you know how quickly you can get to the bottom of a bag of cotton.

Astrid’s philosophy is more than eco-friendly. Her commitment to reuse is thoughtful beyond fashion, anti-consumerist, and truly without waste. My goodies came wrapped in reused packing paper and cardboard. She also keeps an inspiring blog about her trash digging, used goods swapping ways. Stories about reclaimed bathtubs housing turtles and curbside books going to a local cat spaying charity are among my favorites, though a meditation on the usefulness of a dot matrix printer is especially relevant since it prints the lovely Le Chat Crochet cards that come with every order.

With such a thrifty family, you’d think it would be hard to impress me by recycling. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. The frugal, upcycled finds from Le Chat Crochet make me feel a little closer to home.

Written by: Brittany Shoot, November 29th 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

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

Wings Earrings

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:55:00 +0000

By HappyDayDesigns

When I was coming up, it was all the rage to pierce your ears in multiple places—the higher the potential risk for infection, the better. Multiple holes in your cartilage was not only standard; it was expected. I knew guys who wore safety pins in their ears, whether they'd been professionally pierced or not. I had a friend who let her high school boyfriend pierce her nipple with a safety pin too. What any of this accomplished, I cannot say.

I've often opted for an alternative route from that of my peers, so while I did briefly have three holes total between my two earlobes, I'm now content with one in each ear. Many of my female role models do not have pierced ears, both of my grandmothers and my partner's mother among them. My mama-in-law has style. She wears beautiful scarves, one large ring in addition to her wedding band, square spectacles, and has shocking white hair cropped very short. On her ears are the inevitable but classy clips. She's gotten through sixty-odd years of life without holes punched in her lobes, proving that it's easy to have style without self-mutilation. I work with what I have: piercings that have been in place since I was six.

HappyDayDesigns is a tiny Etsy shop based in Helsinki. Run by a woman named Elina, she describes her own creation, the Wings Earrings I'm currently wearing as "gorgeous white marble beads with antique brass and antique bronze findings." Indeed, her own words are apt compliment. These dainty earrings, antique brass wings with small marble adornment, drew compliments the moment I entered my office. Roughly six to seven centimeters long, the earrings dangle four centimeters from my earlobe. I have rather small ears—you might say average, though I'd argue the slightly offensive term assumes others without my dimensions would be abnormal.

Elina is a visual artist who is currently works from home while simultaneously caring for her triplet boys. In addition to earrings, she makes dainty necklaces and sturdy bracelets in earthy tones and accepts custom orders. Some folks say it isn't possible to do it all, but Elina's lovely jewelry shows that balance between life and art is definitely possible.

Written by: Brittany Shoot, November 7th 2009

Green Meadow Earrings

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

By Ioulia

When cold weather settles over the Northern Hemisphere, it's all I can do to get out of bed in the morning. I live far enough north that the daylight time literally cuts in half—what was once a twelve-hour-day becomes six measly hours of cloud-covered sunshine. In addition to bundling in many layers, pulling the cat in for extra snuggles at night, and cranking up the heater, I try to keep my appearance fresh. I can all too easily spiral into a dark months depression. I may wear a lot of black and gray, but I still have to show up every day for work.

Ioulia's Green Meadow earrings brighten up almost any of my monochrome outfits. Made from two tiny stacks of paper and cardstock 'sequins,' the light, lovely handmade piles are suspended on sterling silver earwires. Due to their weightless comfort, I forgot I was wearing them until a co-worker noted my unusual accent. Ioulia also makes paper sequin necklaces from the same design style.

A few things to note: the earrings are not waterproof, though it's also worth mentioning that a lacquer coating over the delicate paper layers would really detract from the earrings as art. The hooks may also be a bit shifty in your ears, so as with any hook-back earrings, it may be necessary to invest in some of those little plastic earring backs. I haven't tried it personally, but I've also heard that a dab of wax from malleable earplugs can do the trick. Their diameter—five millimeters, a mere fifth of an inch—makes them noticeable without overtaking your look.

Wrapped in a beautiful package for delivery, these earrings were one of the best surprises I received in the mail this month. Perhaps I'm less attentive to detail than I believe, for even after reading the description, I was taken aback at how dainty and classy my new wearables turned out to be. Sometimes I guess it pays to not read all that closely. Taking the plunge on these was a fabulous, fortuitous choice.

Written by: Brittany Shoot, November 6th 2009

Tooth-y Post & Live Life/Love Life Earrings

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:05:00 +0000

By Shup(g)

I hover in that funny in-between space of generations. Having come into this world in 1980, I teeter between Gen X and Gen Y status. I remember the Reagan presidency, the first Gulf War, and the fall of the Berlin wall—though I didn’t really understand the impact of any of these things at the time. I also grew up watching too much MTV, had my first email address through Prodigy, chatted on IRC, and downloaded hella songs on Napster my freshman year of college—but I have never read any Harry Potter books nor did I have a thing for any Backstreet Boy or member of *NSync. So where does that leave me?

There is one cross-over item, however, that I have found brings a smile to most folks of both age-based cohorts, and that item is Shrinky Dinks. Though invented in 1973, Shrinky Dinks became massively popular in the ‘80s thanks to good ole Milton Bradley—and, really, the toy is genius. The gist of it is that you take a large piece of polystyrene plastic, cut the plastic into the shape of your choice, draw and color a picture on the shape, and finally, pop the pieces of plastic in the oven where they will shrink into smaller, firmer, and thicker designs. Voila! You’ve got a self-made tool for crafting.

If you’re the artistic type, Shrinky Dinks have the ability to be your best friend, but the Singapore-based Shup(g)—pronounced “shoop”—already knows this. Actually, I can’t be entirely sure Shup(g)’s designs are created using this retro method that provided me hours-long entertainment as a child, but whatever jewelry designer Lydia Wong is using brought back memories of coloring at the kitchen table and peeking into the oven to watch the shrinkage in action.

I’m not sure any of these translucent, black and white, plastic items would be suiting for a formal affair, but for everyday kitsch, they’re perfect. Feeling a little directorial? Then perhaps cuff links in the shape of a film camera will provide a bit of cinematic inspiration. While browsing the selection, I was immediately drawn to the Tooth-y Post Earrings. My sister is a dental hygienist who works in an office where three women (herself included) gave birth in the past six months. If anyone is going to wear plastic, smiling teeth on their ears, it’s her. My favorite item, however, must be the dangly set of Live Life/Love Life Earrings, an optimistic reminder for those of us given to bouts of cynicism.

Shup(g) personalizes every piece of jewelry she makes. Support her education in music education and therapy. If she can bring joy into the world through tiny pieces of plastic, just imagine what she’ll go with a degree!

Written by: Mandy Van Deven, November 5th 2009

Teatime in Bombay Earrings

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:37:00 +0000

By Teatime in Bombay Earrings

Swingy, playful and pretty, the Teatime in Bombay Earrings also work well for cocktail time in Manhattan. Equally attractive is the quality construction and affordable price. The intricate and slightly edgy white metal design is contrasted by the more classical ladylike dangling faux gemstone beads in sapphire and amber.

As a collector of earrings, I have many pairs in my jewelry box from which to choose, and I found myself wearing these over and over again because they look great with a little black dress, a garden party frock, or just a plain old t-shirt and jeans. They are lightweight, visually interesting, and original. More than a few women complimented me, and asked where I’d purchased them.

Jewelry designer Jazmine Bowe describes her Stars + Rocks creations as urban, glam, and gypsy in sensibility. I found myself loving her entire collection, which also includes bracelets and necklaces. She thinks of fun names for her pieces—Country Club Lush, Saloon Girl, Circus of Life, and Good Karma—most of which can be had for under $20.

Bowe's fun and trendy jewelry exudes her imagination, and I am so happy to have discovered this particular designer because she accomplishes this dramatically stylish mood without crossing the line into tacky territory. Stars + Rocks jewelry looks and feels very upscale chic: the strong, confident, city girl is also a glamorous gal. Prepare to be dazzled by the bauble-icious wonders from this very talented designer!

Written by: Cheryl Reeves, October 15th 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

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