Queen Beads from Galatea

If you are planning a trip to the JCK Las Vegas show you are in for a treat!   


Yesterday, Chi of Galatea - Diamond in a Pearl posted a sneak peak of the NEW pieces he is introducing at  the show, to his Facebook page.



You have all heard the quote that "Pearls are the Queen of Gems and the Gem of Queens" - introducing...Queen Beads by Galatea!    For the complete Queen Bead Collection LookBook click here!


I have to share this...you all know the fabulous carved pearls of Galatea - well now you can collect them one at a time!!!


Chi has developed his own version of the popular "personalized bracelet" - you buy the basic bracelet and add charms...and in this case carved pearls...until its full!

What I love about this idea is that it makes gift giving SO easy!  I have now told everyone in my life that this is what I want for every holiday and birthday!!!!


With 100 pattern choices in Black South Sea Pearls!  the options are endless!!! 

Oh...and Chi has developed the coolest additional function in these beads...his trademarked Galatea Mono-Pole Magnets!  


What does this mean to you?  as you build your bracelet, earrings or necklace the beads literally "levitate".  


Using a magnetic field they magically space themselves around your piece - for me this is huge - the last thing I want is my carved pearls sliding and slamming against each other!  


You can read about the Galatea Mono-Pole Magnets in Chi's Queen Bead Collection Look Book!


Resource Links  (these are the complete long links in case the embedded links above are not functional):


Galatea:  http://www.galateausa.com/
Facebook Page:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Galatea-Jewelry-by-Artist/151801357459
Queen Bead Collection Look Book:
https://picasaweb.google.com/108207236970031292331/GalateaQueenBeadCollectionCarvedPearls?authkey=Gv1sRgCITKvreq3t_F8QE&feat=email#slideshow/5601273819761284834

Pame' Designs - "Where Glamour Meets Adventure"

Pam Sweeney is the talent behind Pame' Designs and I have to say that I am a little jealous of her journey to the life and business she has built for herself.


Her tagline:   "Where Glamour Adventure" speaks to that journey. 

You probably know her long wrapped bracelets that can also be worn as necklaces...or bohemian leather and pearl necklaces and bracelets from the pages of the fashion magazines and Celeb photos.


From a childhood in Manhattan, learning style on the streets of New York City, flash forward to this girl that would have fit in perfectly at my heavily surf oriented California Beach High School?  yeah Corona del Mar High School...livin' the dream! ;-p

Once that glamorous style of the big city was instilled in her Pam moved to Colorado - then traveled to the crystal blue beaches of Mexico - learned to surf and fell in love with both.


Today Pame' Designs is an Aspen based company with a foot in the surf...creating jewelry using sustainable materials and making a conscious decision to give back to the countries from which the materials are derived. 

Excerpt from the Pame' Designs Website:


"Pame' Designs is a luxury jewelry company that is inspired by Pam Sweeney's global travel and love of beach, surf and exotic finds from around the world. The collection - created from the highest quality leather, silver and gold are adorned with Tahitian pearls, marcasite and semi-precious stones that carry meaning and invite conversation.


Dedicated to keeping our oceans healthy and furthering her love of nature, a portion of all jewelry sales are donated to the Surfrider Foundation or the Waterkeeper Alliance to help protect and keep our rivers and ocean healthy"

Pame' Designs: http://pamedesign.com/


Pame' Designs on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pamedesigns


Pame' Designs on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/pamedesigns

Pame' Designs Blog: http://pamedesign.tumblr.com/

Celebrity Sightings: Platinum at the Alexander McQueen Costume Gala

Some people have asked why I post these lists of Jewelers and Designers being worn by the latest crop of "beautiful people".  

Whether they are the cute young stars of the latest teen TV hit, Celebrities who are recognized everywhere they go or the powerful "mover's & shakers" in Fashion and the publications that make them the icons we all look up to...I want you to see the people that are benefiting from a relationship with this clientele...visibility is what it's about!

So remember these events and organizations and add them to your calendar - it's about having the jewelry in front of them when they are looking for it...find out who styles the celebs you think fit your line.  

Bottom-line:  Step out of your comfort zone and make it happen!  I would love to see a new name on these lists!!!

If you love the gowns and fashion - may I suggest that you check out the coverage on one of my favorites (especially since she is giving more jewelry credits lately) Red Carpet Fashion Awards - or JustJared you MUST see the Turquoise Earrings that Bar Rafael wore...

THE EVENT:   Gala for the opening of Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty"

THE ORGANIZATION: The Costume Institute

LOCATION:  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Thank you to my friends at PGI for the info on the Platinum Jewelry worn at the Gala...

 Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America

Sarah Jessica Parker

• Platinum and diamond wing brooch in her hair by Fred Leighton
• Platinum and diamond ring (10 carats) by Fred Leighton
• Platinum and diamond dome ring (5 carats) by Fred Leighton

Sofia Vergara

• Platinum and diamond timepiece by Harry Winston, $2 million dollars
• Platinum and diamond floral cluster drop earrings by Harry Winston

Fergie

• Platinum and diamond hair accessories by Harry Winston, valued at $1 million dollars
• Platinum and diamond earrings by Harry Winston
• Platinum and diamond ring by Harry Winston

Jennifer Hudson

• Platinum and diamond ring by Fred Leighton

Michelle Williams

• Platinum bands with onyx by Fred Leighton

Miranda Kerr

• Platinum and diamond earrings by Harry Winston
• Platinum and diamond ring by Harry Winston

Lara Stone

• Platinum and diamond cluster earrings by Harry Winston
• Platinum and 3 row diamond bracelet by Harry Winston

Shalom Harlow

• Vintage platinum and diamond brooch by Harry Winston
• Platinum and diamond cluster earrings by Harry Winston
• Platinum and diamond sunflower ring by Harry Winston

*Over $1.5 million dollars in platinum and diamond jewelry
Naomi Campbell (photo above)

• Platinum and diamond brooch in her hair by Fred Leighton

Patricia Clarkson

• Platinum and diamond earrings by Fred Leighton
• Three platinum and diamond bracelets by Fred Leighton

Penelope Cruz

• Platinum and diamond drop necklace (34 carats) by Chopard
• Platinum and diamond bracelet (50 carats) by Chopard
• Platinum and diamond ring (5 carats) by Chopard
• Platinum and diamond drop earrings (4 carats) by Chopard

Madonna

• Platinum brooches by Cartier worn as a necklace
• Platinum and diamond strap bracelets by Cartier
• Platinum bracelet with diamonds and sapphire by Cartier
• Platinum and diamond earrings by Cartier
• Platinum ring with diamonds and onyx by Cartier

Amy Adams

• Platinum and diamond brooch by Cartier
• Platinum and diamond 3 row bracelet by Cartier

Ashley Olsen

• Platinum and diamond ring (7.83 carats) by Van Cleef & Arpels

Jessica Stam

• Platinum and diamond bib necklace (50 carats) by Chopard
• Platinum and diamond earrings by Chopard

Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America

Beyonce

• Blackened platinum earrings with black diamond drops by Lorraine Schwartz
• Platinum and black diamond ring (20 carats) surrounded by multicolored diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz

Ashley Greene

• Blackened platinum and diamond cuff (100 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz
• Blackened platinum earrings with black and champagne diamond drops by Lorraine Schwartz

Elizabeth Banks

• Platinum cuff with colored diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz

Mary J. Blige

• Blackened platinum and diamond drop earrings by Lorraine Schwartz
• Platinum and diamond ring (50 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz

Ciara

• Blackened platinum and brown diamond cuff by Ofira and Lorraine Schwartz
• Platinum bangles with black diamonds and sapphire by Ofira and Lorraine Schwartz
• Platinum drop earrings with black diamonds and sapphire by Ofira and Lorraine Schwartz

Bar Rafaeli

• Blackened platinum earrings with brown diamonds and turquoise by Lorraine Schwartz
• Blackened platinum ring with a yellow diamond by Lorraine Schwartz

Mother's Day Giveaway on Jane Basch Designs

Just happened across this exciting offer:

Mothers Day Giveaway!

Why should mom’s only be celebrated one day?  The entire month should celebrate motherhood. So with that, we are officially claiming the month of May as Mother’s Month!

To celebrate, one lucky fan will win a Jane Basch Mommy Monogram.

The sterling silver 3/4″ charm comes with one gold heart and up to three single initial monograms on a 16” chain.  To enter, leave a comment below telling us a special moment with your Mom or as a Mother and then follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/janebschdesign) or like us on Facebook (facebook.com/janebaschdesign).  

A winner will be chosen at random on May 20 and announced on May 23.

Good luck!

I like your thinking Jane...so what are you waiting for?  ... get over to Jane's blog and enter!  meet you there!

A favorite of the Fashion Magazines, Jane has been designing in the Jewelry Industry for 20 years.  

She went out on a limb and started Jane Basch Designs just three years ago. 

A finalist in the 2009 JCK Jeweler's Choice Awards...Jane Basch is a household name to celebrities like Demi Moore, Ashley Tisdale and Debra Messing...isn't it time you indulged?

Jane Basch Designs: http://www.janebasch.com

Shop Jane Basch:  http://shop.janebasch.com/

Jane's Blog:  http://www.janebasch.com/blog/

ANDREA ROSENFELD, COLLABORATES IN WOOD & METAL

ARTIST AND DESIGNER, ANDREA ROSENFELD, COLLABORATES ON COLLECTION

Artists Marry Specialized Trades to Produce One Cohesive Collection

When artists of different backgrounds collaborate on projects, whether it be in music, film, fashion or dance, elements of each artist stand out yet compliment the other, creating one final, inspired conception.  Recently featured in Women’s Wear Daily, jewelry designer and kinetic artist, Andrea Rosenfeld, took to the internet, searching for a fellow, local wood artist to collaborate with and help bring her imaginative designs to life. Ed Kelle, a graphic designer, painter and sculptor, caught Rosenfeld’s attention with his unique woodturning techniques and textures.  Together, with Rosenfeld’s sketches at the helm, the two artists have begun producing small collections of unique and organic jewelry designs that emanate from both artist’s expertise and passions.

Having more than one artistic trade come together combines an abundance of new ideas and builds a foundation for creating an energetic and one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. With Rosenfeld’s knowledge in metalwork and gemstones and Kelle’s proficiency with woodwork comes an exciting marriage in jewelry design.   Beginning with rough sketches of design elements incorporating the wood, Rosenfeld sends her ideas off to Kelle where he begins brainstorming on ways to bring his portion of the visions to fruition.  The designers bounce ideas off of each other while working on their individual components.

“It is important that I send him either an image of the stone or the basic color tones so he and I can pick the wood that would work best,” says Rosenfeld. “From there, we discuss strength and structure based on the type of jewelry I’m designing and species of wood before individually working on our portions.”

“The contrast of the wood with metal and gems is perfect. They exist together in harmony, and the different textures play off of one another beautifully” says Kelle. “My experience in different artistic mediums, such as 2D mediums of painting and drawing, influence the 3D work of sculpture and woodturning and vice versa. I always make good use of my knowledge and experience in all fields in order to create my vision.”

Each piece speaks to an organic feel; designed around the natural movement/grain of the wood and stone. The pieces are earth-conscious, using reclaimed wood, recycled silver and stones harvested ethically (where available) and each have healing elements ignited by Rosenfeld, using Reiki, to release the metaphysical energies of the stones and metals.  Interested in promoting the healing properties of minerals, Rosenfeld studied Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.  Rosenfeld balances and charges the stones and metals, increasing their ability to uplift others. 

“You have to trust each other’s expertise and judgment when collaborating with a fellow artist and as artists who experiment, our goal is to expand our techniques, skills and knowledge base as well as complete the project,” says Rosenfeld. “Ed and I are eager to learn from one another.  Our conversations are peppered with energy and excitement.  We try to ‘see’ how each of us envisions our own handling of our particular materials and we connect through our collaboration.”

For more see http://andrearosenfelddesigns.com/