Cool collaborations :: Lizzie Fortunato Jewels for Madewell

Ever since Target started their GO International collections, collaborating with emerging designers, I've noticed a pretty cool trend of more high-profile chain stores getting together with emerging and indie artists and designers.

And so, I thought it would be another fun thing to highlight these cool collaborations in my blog (new column alert!). Since my goal combines supporting handmade and local, as well as indie and emerging, I think it fits. Even more, I realize it's not always possible for everyone to buy everything local or handmade, so here's a way you can shop the chain stores but still support those fabulous indie and emerging designers.

First up, Madewell and Lizzie Fortunato Jewels:


Clockwise from top left: Lizzie Fortunato Jewels for Madewell pendant necklace | Lizzie Fortunato Jewels for Madewell braided chain bracelet | Lizzie Fortunato Jewels for Madewell madras & chains necklace | Lizzie Fortunato Jewels for Madewell denim bouquet necklace

About Lizzie Fortunato Jewels - Run by sisters Elizabeth and Kathryn Fortunato, Lizzie Fortunato Jewels are high-end designs made from reclaimed, upcycled and recycled fabric, chains and other components. Read more here.

freshly picked :: JooJoo Land

One click into this shop and you'll feel like you've entered...well, JooJoo Land - a magical fantasy land filled with jewelry in soft pastel shades and nature-meets-Wonderland shapes, all photographed in a serene, and sometimes nearly surreal, photography style.

Top row, left to right: I Love Paris Earrings | Butterfly Garden Necklace
Bottom row, left to right: Water Lily Pond Locket | Golden Garden Earrings

freshly picked :: sparkle couture

Everything in Sparkle Couture's shop is colorful and sophisticated with just a bit of earthiness. This is the kind of jewelry you wear on a sultry summer evening with a long, bohemian dress and flat, metallic sandals. Or in the dead of winter when you need a reminder that warmer days will be here again. Is it August yet?

all jewelry by sparkle couture

freshly picked :: botanical bird

I'm loving the vintage style, nature inspired jewelry in Botanical Bird's Etsy shop. If you like your jewelry flowering with roses and ribbons and accented with birds and owls, don't miss this adorable shop.

{ pretty little things } :: artisan lampwork

Have you ever looked really closely at an artisan lampwork bead? They're stunning. So detailed with brilliant flashes of color- some even change colors depending on the light. They really are little works of art you can wear. And they're one of my favorite pieces to use in my own jewelry designs. Here are a few of my favorite designs from some other jewelry artists:

1 - Circle Ring in Gray by Kristin Perkins Glass Jewelry
2 - Caramel Swirl Earrings by Andy Justy
3- Orbit Earrings by Pole Star
4 - Bird on Branch Earrings by Alisha White Designs
5 - Linear Circles Earrings by Sterling Crystal
6 - Alanna Necklace by Catie's Blue

{ pretty little things } camera charm necklaces

Anyone who knows me knows I love jewelry. Like really, really. And I love unique handmade jewelry most of all. And I know I'm not alone with this obsession. So, allow me to introduce my newest column, "pretty little things," where I'll find a roundup of fabulous handmade or indie/emerging-designer jewelry.

So, let's get to it- up first: cute little camera charm necklaces. Perfect for the shutterbug, professional photographer or traveler (or anyone who just likes vintage-looking cameras).



1 - Traveller Necklace by Japonicas
2 - Eiffel Tower Brass Filigree Camera Necklace by For the Cross Jewelry Designs
3- Vintage Antique-style Camera Pendant Necklace by NYLightMetals
4 - Wish Necklace by Oh, Hello Friend**
5 - Camera Crystal Necklace by RetroSkor

**Check out Oh, Hello Friend's design blog. She has such a pretty aesthetic and a kind way about her. Definitely one of my daily reads.

Giveaway! { Daisy Petal Designs } - Extended!

I'm excited to be running my first giveaway on this blog! I'm also excited that it features one of my friend's Etsy shops- Dawn recently opened Daisy Petal Designs and her shop is stocked with whimsical pieces including flower headbands, clips and romantic beaded jewelry. I just love her stuff and I think you will, too.

To help her get the word out about her shop, I'm running a giveaway here. So, here's the scoop, readers- Dawn will make a custom flower headband to the winner of this giveaway (see the bottom image in the picture below for an example). Cool, right?

Here's how to enter:

1. Visit Daisy Petal Designs and find your favorite item.
2. Come back to this post and leave a comment, with your name and with the name of your favorite item in Dawn's shop.

Start submitting your entries today (Sunday, November 1, 2009). The last day for entries is Saturday, November 14, 2009. I'll select the winner randomly using random.org and I'll announce the winner here in a blog post on Sunday, November 15. I don't need your e-mail address, just make sure you check back here on November 15 to find out if you won.

Feel free to spread the word about the giveaway!


Here are just a few of the adorable items available at Daisy Petal Designs:


Top left: Eternity bracelet
Top right: Deep blue necklace
Bottom: Champagne and chocolate headband

Remember, this giveaway isn't for the items pictured. It's for a custom-designed headband. Choose your color, choose your style! And spread the word! Just do it before Saturday, November 14, 2009.


Giveaway disclaimer:
No purchase necessary. We reserve the right to close the contests early or late without warning. We will post the name of the winner on November 15, 2009. Upon winning, you agree that your name can be published on this blog at the close of the contest. You must contact us within 7 days after the winner has been annouced to claim your prize.

I heart San Francisco

San Francisco- home to the Golden Gate bridge, Alcatraz, the twistiest street in the world and Doe, a mini-department store-style boutique stocked with California designer finds, including these adorable necklaces that pay homage to this fantastic city by the bay:


1. zoe chicco "415" pendant
2. zoe chicco "I heart SF" necklace
Both available at Doe

What to wear...to a casual alfresco dinner with friends

I love balmy summer evenings spent with friends on a restaurant patio, savoring good food, good wine and great conversation. My uniform? Breezy, long dresses and simple jewelry, like these stunning handmade, hammered bangles by Lavender Cottage and swingy shell and lampwork earrings from my own Jocelyn Grace line. A minimalist scarf by Beautiful Bridget wards off the late night chill (because evenings with good friends always turn into late nights) and flat, metallic sandals and a FIAZCO handmade silk clutch dress it up, but not too much- this is a casual gathering, afterall.



Smocked empire-waist dress, $59.99 at Gap
Lavender Garden handmade artisan lampwork and shell earrings, $42 from my Jocelyn Grace on 1000 Markets
Gauze Summer Scarf Beige Lightweight Cotton Fabric, $26, handmade by Beautiful Bridget on Etsy
Logan Collection Lined in Chocolate Silk, $65, handmade by FIAZCO on Etsy
Macrame Sandal, $34, by Kimchi Blue at Urban Outfitters
Bright Lights Set of 6 Mini Stacking Bangles, $45, handmade by Lavender Cottage on Etsy

Lunchtime find!

I love this adorable handmade fused glass pet tag from Glass Fancy. Visit Glass Fancy's shop on 1000 Markets for this pet pendant and other very cool fused glass jewelry (for pets and people!).