Alicia Van Fleteren Jewelry Giveaway

While you may have been busy in recent days buying gifts for everyone on your holiday list, the time has come to think about YOU!! I have an incredibly beautiful labradorite, pyrite, and gold vermeil necklace (named “Caledonia”) designed by the talented Alicia Van Fleteren to give away. You may remember my past post about her, and I must say that I love the direction her line is headed.

alicia van fleteren necklace
This is great on its own or layered

And here’s a closer look. It can be adjusted to be 16-17″ long.

alicia van fleteren necklace
Love the depth of labradorite

Retailing at $135, I think this would be the perfect present for you. It’s on your list, right?!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Santa Cruz Sea Glass

For the second year in a row, the first weekend in November was marked “Santa Cruz sea glass festival!” If you’ve been following my blog, then you know I’m pretty addicted to the beach and collecting sea glass. The show did not disappoint, and I was quite excited to meet Krista Hammond, the owner of Santa Cruz Sea Glass and the producer of the festival.

krista hammond and amy roseveare
At the Santa Cruz sea glass festival

Krista and her husband, Tony Berkowitz, have combined two of my passions, sea glass and jewelry. They founded their company in 2006. Living in Santa Cruz, and both being surfers, they spend lots of time on the beach, so I imagine it was just a matter of time before they created this wonderful business. They find each and every piece of sea glass themselves, and then hand make each item in their home studio.

santa cruz sea glass
A shot of the production area

Krista and her husband work as a team with each piece. Krista works more on the design end, and Tony is the silversmith. They were fortunate to be mentored by Robert Wunce, a very talented jeweler. It seems like they have a perfect harmony going — Tony always says, “I’m the dirt and you’re the flowers.” Symbiosis, right?

Here’s a photo that shows some of their glass collection. I tried not to drool on the glass case…

santa cruz sea glass
I would faint if I even found ONE piece like this!

Here are some of their finds made into stunning rings.

santa cruz sea glass rings
Hmm…which is my favorite?

I guess this one is. 😉

sea glass ring
Wowza!

And finally, here’s a lovely photo of some of their bracelet designs.

santa cruz sea glass bracelets
Talk about arm candy!

Not only do they create beautiful jewelry, but they also give part of their profits back to the sea by way of their partnership with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. In addition, they are a green company and use recycled US silver in their designs. What’s not to love?

With holiday shopping season now upon us, you just might want to check out their jewelry — either for a gift for a loved one or for some self-gifting! 😉

Floral & Chain Bib Necklace: Jewelry Judge

Yes, I was trying on shoes…again…some things never change. But across the aisle to another bank of couches, my eyes were glued on this major necklace. The scale with it’s floral motif and layered chains really takes the bib necklace to a whole new level. If you’re wearing a simple tee (as this gal was), there’s no need for further embellishment!

boston proper necklace
This is a show stopper!!

What’s your opinion? Love it or take a pass?

Sylva & Cie: Designer

I had the Sylva & Cie trunk show at Wilke’s Bashford on my calendar for quite some time, and trust me, it did not disappoint. The first lovely that grabbed my attention was a diamond ring beyond imagination. (btw, she only uses reclaimed diamonds in her designs) Turns out Sylva calls this design the “ten table ring” as you can see it from ten tables away. No doubt!! (one more item for my lust list) When creating one of these rings, she lays out the diamonds just like she was creating a painting.

sylva and cie ring
Ten table ring indeed!

There was also an incredible necklace, crafted from a bronze Russian icon (estimated to be from the late 1700’s to early 1800’s) surrounded by diamonds, then strung on a necklace of reclaimed antler. I was in awe. It’s like something you’d see in a royal museum!

sylva & cie necklace
I’ve always had a thing for icons

And the “chain…”

sylva and cie necklace
Organic and beautiful

Sylva Yepremian has been designing for 23 years now, and her exuberance hasn’t faded in the least. She told me that she’s ecstatic every morning as she wakes up, so thankful that she’s a designer and not a doctor. Cheers to following your passion!!

sylva yepremian and amy roseveare
With Sylva at her trunk show

She “sees each woman as a goddess, worthy of being adorned with beautiful pieces of jewelry.” And her repertoire includes some very edgy work! There were numerous necklaces with skulls made from reclaimed moose antler. Each one has a story, from Romeo and Juliet to other notable historical figures.

sylva & cie skulls
The detail is simply astounding!

All of her treasures are one-of-a-kind and handcrafted in Los Angeles. Even her chains are made in house, using techniques from 100 years ago. Her line is definitely “not luxury for the masses” (her words), which is one of it’s star qualities. Sylva truly is invested in each of her pieces, and feels that they are meaningful and full of soul. I agree — fabulous!

Susana Speidel at Circle & Square

Circle & Square is a very chic jewelry and accessories store tucked away on Presidio near Sacramento St. in San Francisco. I always love to stop in and see their latest, one-of-a-kind discoveries. The owner, Bunny Fayne, really has an eye for selecting unique items that you won’t see anywhere else!

I stopped in the other day to take advantage of a promotion they had going on (I mean really…how could I possibly resist a discount on jewelry?!?), and I was completely taken with the line by Susana Speidel. It turns out that this locally-based designer (Mill Valley to be exact) is a veteran antiques dealer and collector. She and her husband travel the globe collecting vintage jewelry, from broaches to bracelets. She then uses them to create beautiful, new pieces that pay respect to the past while still looking incredibly current.

I think my friend Jen would love this necklace. It’s made from a 1940’s Trifari blue bow brooch with pearls, stones, rock crystal, and pearls. So unique!

susana speidel necklace
Vintage with flair!

Personally, I fell in love with this stunner. It’s a 37″ long French metal chain with agate and brown rhinestones. I’m not exactly sure of any dates for this necklace, but I’m sure it’s seen its fair share of decades!

susana speidel necklace
Oh my gorgeous!

And look at the back view!

susana speidel necklace
Even if it flips over it’s pretty!

I must admit that I don’t have a wide range of knowledge on vintage jewelry (yet), but I know what I like and what I don’t, regardless of it’s monetary value. Susana’s work has inspired me to dig a little deeper into this exciting avenue in jewelry. I can’t wait to learn more!

Necklace? Bejeweled Scarf?: Jewelry Judge

I was having THE most delicious meal at the Tipsy Parson in Chelsea during my NYC trip, and I had to pause as I was taking yet another mouth-watering bite of buttermilk-chive biscuit (with honey butter!!). In walked this young woman, and she simply sparkled, from her personal radiance to the jewels around her neck. At first glance, I couldn’t tell whether she was donning one major statement necklace, or a fabulous bejeweled scarf. Truth be told, the jury is still out. Nonetheless, the effect was stunning, and I don’t think there was a single patron who didn’t acknowledge her entrance. Her friend (who apparently created this stunning accessory) should get busy making more!

tipsy parson necklace
This is the way to spice up a basic top!

Heather B. Moore: Designer

Heather Moore was one of the first designers I had the privilege of meeting at the Couture show last spring. I thought this was the perfect time to write about her, as she’s having a trunk show here in the Bay Area this coming Thursday, November 8th, at Kicks in Menlo Park. (But no worries if you’re not local. Heather has an active trunk show schedule across the country — just check out her website!)

heather moore and amy roseveare
Heather was just charming!

What I think really make’s Heather’s jewelry unique is that it’s made to celebrate the moments in your life. Her tag line is, “Cherish who you are,” and she really makes all her jewelry to tell your story. Here, for example is an amazing necklace that reveals so much about the owner. While I don’t know the backstory of each pendant on this necklace, I know that they all have special significance to the lucky woman who wears this. What a conversation starter!

heather moore necklace
This necklace is like a little time capsule of the wearer

And look at these cuffs, which are literally like a book of memories for your wrist.

heather moore cuffs
This is a piece of personal history!

Heather and her team use vintage tools to hand-press (NOT engrave) letters, words, and pictures onto her jewelry. All the work is done right here in the good ‘ole USA in Cleveland, Ohio. (snap!) She can imprint everything from your wedding vows to your child’s art to your astrological constellation.

I just adore this key chain which actually uses the writing of the owner’s child. Wouldn’t this be an amazing gift for a loved one? (Note to self: the holidays are just around the corner…) And she does have a quick turnaround time, typically about 2-3 weeks.

heather moore key chain
How precious is this?!

Or how about these simple and elegant, yet sentimental cufflinks that commemorate a wedding?

heather moore cufflinks
How to say so much without words

I also really appreciate the fact that Heather uses 100% reclaimed metals (sterling and all colors of gold) in her designs. So not only are her pieces priceless due to what they say and mean, but they are helping protect the earth. Of course, she isn’t working on jewelry all the time. She loves to ride BMX bikes with her kids in her free time. Love that!

So if this line rocks your boat, then I highly encourage you to check it out. I know you won’t be disappointed!

Creative Pendant Idea: Jewelry Judge

So I know that many of you reading this have a necklace with a center, fixed pendant — one that’s attached on either side by chain. I’ve always just assumed that this is the only way to wear this type of necklace. Well lucky for me I spotted this gal yesterday, who’s clearly great at thinking outside the jewelry box! Just adding another small pendant gave the more conservative necklace a whole new look. Very chic!

adding pendants
Why didn’t I think of this?

adding a pendant
Closer view

What about you? Do you have the makings for this new look in your jewelry box?