Post-Holiday Treat for Me: Wendy Brandes Juana Skull Necklace
Not long ago, I blogged enhancing getting my jewelry collection and expressed my desire to buy some nice pieces for myself. My goal for the end of the year was to buy a great piece that I could wear everyday and that would embody my personality. I also knew that I wanted a piece from Wendy Brandes, and after a lot of deliberation on my part, I settled on a piece: the Juana skull necklace.
The necklace is named after Juana of Castile. I remember hearing her name thrown around briefly during a lecture in a college history class, but we only spent about 5 minutes discussing her before moving on. However, was her nickname: Juana “La Loca”.Many people like to focus on the fact that she had a passionate marriage with her husband, Archduke Philip, Duke of Burgundy, or “Phillip the Handsome”, whom it is said she was obsessed with. At his death, she periodically asked for his coffin to be opened to get another peak and reportedly refused to allow any women near his coffin. His death is rumored to have contributed further to her mental deterioration. However, let’s not overlook the fact that said husband continually attempted to usurp her birthrights to her crown while he was alive. Just to wrap this charming story up, she was later confined to a windowless room for the rest of her life–almost 50 years– where it is believed she really earned the nickname “La Loca”.
Looking at the Juana necklace and remembering the story, I could definitely feel the inspiration for the piece. The two sparkling white sapphires and the sterling silver compliment one another so well. I’ve been wearing “La Loca” with everything and it never feels out of place to me. Exactly what I wanted in a great piece of jewelry.
So thank you, Wendy B, for making the very awesome Juana “La Loca” necklace!
Inspiring Friends
Earlier this evening, I visited my friend, Ms. Sister Baby at her home to work on a project. I hadn’t been over to visit for some time, so when I walked into her room, I immediately noted her jewelry collection. I noted that she always wears at least one piece of jewelry every time I see her, but I didn’t know that her collection was this large. Also, most of her items have been handed down to her by her grandmother. As I’ve been working on my sparse jewelry collection, I definitely admire her assortment of jewelry, especially her vintage pieces. She let me snap a few pictures, although she objected that the jewelry layout was “messy”, but I thought it was really cool:
Dream Fantasy: Jewelry
A bit of a new beginning for me all together. Still a work in progress, but I’ve changed the look up a little bit. There might be some more changes here and there in the next couple of weeks as I get “settled in”, so I’m please excuse the
This summer has been somewhat of a sleeper for me so far. Nothing spectacular, but at the same time, nothing disappointing, either. I’d say that my summer wardrobe has been that way as well.  I’ve been more thrifty and cautious with what I’ve been buying.
I’ve mostly been browsing for those items that I would like to have, but can’t afford.  Jewelry has been a big hit on my list since I’ve never spent a large amount on jewelry in comparison to other items.  French jewelry designer Aurelie Bidermann’s exquisite jewelry has kept me clicking back for more in my little web browser.
Aurelie Biderman Large Vintage Cuff
Aurelie Bidermann Pyrite Osiris Necklace
Wonderful items, but if you click the links, a bit out of my price range. However, since I’m just browsing and “dream shopping”, it doesn’t really matter, right?
And throw in this Delfina Delettrez skull ring:
It’s true that none of these items are within my reach right now, but every now and then you just have to dream.
Interview with jewelry designer Natha Perkins
I have had the great pleasure of interviewing jewelry designer, Natha Perkins.  Natha’s line, Lucious Metals, features her unique, handmade jewelry, including her popular Kelly Bella line.
Natha began making her own jewerly to fulfill her wish of finding specific jewelry pieces in stores. Now, Natha’s own creations start off as metal sheets and wires and are hand crafted to create a new, unique piece that has meaning behind it.
What made you decide you wanted to be a jewelry designer?
I love working with metal- it’s so hard yet so forgiving and you can almost always come up with cool solutions if you mess up your first idea up! Jewelry creation is a natural progression with metal. Making jewelry is lovely because you get to make beautiful objects that are destined to become treasures.
I didn’t discover my passion for metal and jewelry design until my mid 20′s. When I did though, I went to art school in Denver to study it. I am always taking workshops on new processes and I teach workshops as well.
Almost all of the metal work in my pieces start it’s life as metal sheets and wires. I use lots of cool processes to transform it into adornment including a big torch, various chemicals, blades, hammers and compression. It makes me feel like such a bad ass- I get to play with fire and acid everyday!
Currently, my biggest inspiration comes from words. We have so many luscious words in our language- I love how one word even, can conjure such vivid imagery and make you feel a certain way just by reading it. The Hearts and Wings and Flames line has good examples of how I like to use words.
I like life as an independent designer because I can do things the way I want to do them! There are a lot of hats to wear though so you have to make sure that you are spending as much time on things like marketing and sales as you are on designing and creation.
Make sure it feels good on- no sharp edges or stones. Always buy yourself a piece of jewelry when you’re on vacation or for something momentous. That way your jewelry box can be a little box of memories and pretty objects!
What is your overall personal style?
Despite the fact that my nails are a mess and I wear a dirty apron and respirator to work in, I am a girly girl. I love clothes and shoes. I like to wear unexpected combinations together like a slip as a dress over jeans or striped socks sticking out of tall boots. It makes your day more fun!
Luscious Metals by Natha Perkins is available for purchase in my online store at www.NathaPerkins.com
also at Etsy and Smashing Darling. For a list of brick and Mortar stores, follow this link.
For the Love of Jewelry
In my opinion, jewelry is one of the most personal and authentic items you can wear. For me, I love jewelry that tells a story and has character. I don’t want to wear it just to compliment an outfit, I wear a piece because it’s another form of expression and the creator of the piece put thought into the beauty as well as the idea of what the piece will exude.  One of my favorite places for finding unique jewelry from unique sellers is Etsy. I’m contemplating going on a big shopping spree for some new jewelry, so I’ve been browsing Etsy pretty hard lately. Here are a few of my favorite Etsy shops with some beautiful and unique jewelry:
Frankie, of Swell Vintage, has a great eye for vintage finds and recreates some beautiful vintage jewelry pieces. All of her jewelry is made from antique parts.  The best part about her jewelry is that it will spruce up any outfit whether it is casual or dressy and would be perfect for any occasion. That and I can see women of all ages wearing her jewelry. My mother as well as I could have appreciation for her pieces, and her shop would be perfect for me  Plus, I love pearls and Frankie incorporates them well with the antique parts for a luxurious feel. Here are a few more of her pieces:
The ladies behind Untamed Menegerie, mother/daughter team Nikki and Penny, create some beautiful pieces that remind me of Gothic New Orleans.  Their delicate pieces are made of acrylic which give birth to hauntingly beautiful silhouettes such as the Melancholy Lashes necklace below:
Another pendant that I’m quite fond of is their “The Sea Be Ours” pendant which showcases a pirate ship:
And an adorable pair of earrings named “Lola”:
For some adorable cocktail jewelry with flair, I’d point you to Galit’s shop. This Israel-based designer’s creations burst with color and unique shapes. I could see wearing her necklaces to a cocktail party, wedding, or even as an everyday piece. And her bridal jewelry is classic and very affordable for a bride or bridal party. Plus, fellas, I think her jewelry would be great gifts :
For rings? I’m a sucker for big cocktail rings and Kimari Jewelry is the right place for me to get them. I love the altered art she uses for her rings and the art is definitely unique. Check out a few that I’m thinking of buying:
And for steampunk jewelry, I really like EDM Designs. Ricky’s steampunk jewelry designs have been featured in Bust magazine as well as Auxilary Magazine.  The creations not like anything else I’ve seen before and while I’m relatively new to the steampunk jewelry scene, I love how striking it is while mixing vintage and futuristic elements. Here are some beautiful creations:
And of course, this doesn’t encompass all of the great jewelry finds on Etsy. That’s one source for jewelry that I could scourge for hours and hours on end alone. My local vintage and antique stores, sample sale sites like Gilt and many other websites across the web have some wonderful jewelry out there. And if you hurry ladies, there’s still the chance for 20% off at Rilee and Lo‘s April Showers Sale which is until 4/24 .  With jewelry from Elizabeth and James, Gorjana, andRachel Leigh to name a few, you can find some great pieces. Just type in the code “SHOWER” at check out.
Bejeweled:Tom Binns
This Belfast born jewelry maker has been on my radar for awhile now. Many of his pieces have a uniqueness to them, yet I can always tell when a jewelry piece is by Tom Binns if I spot it in an editorial or on a celebrity.
When Michelle Obama rocked a Tom Binns necklace earlier this year with an Isabel Toledo design, I thought it was a great combination. His designs have an edge to them but at the same time, there is an undeniable elegance. However, some of his designs are not for the girl who doesn’t like to stand out. He can pile on to his designs until only he feels that it is enough. And diamonds are not necessarily his best friend. In a Chicago Tribune article, Binns is quoted as saying, “”I’m sort of undermining the previous notion of what’s fashion and what’s jewelry,” he says. ” ‘A few old pieces of discarded junk and tie it around your neck.’ It’s a very simple equation.”
His pricing can range from about from the about $250 on the low-end to $20,000-30,000 on the high-end, but a typical costume jewelry piece is about $650-$1,200, depending on the materials that he uses.
And since I am living a frugal chic lifestyle these days, but I still covet one of his beautiful designs, I was looking at these simple, but classic earrings on Shopbop (shown below). They were originally $264.00, but marked down to $184.80.
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