and the winner is....

Congrats to Mandy S! You've won the beautiful Sierra Winter earrings! I'll be contacting you shortly to arrange shipping!

Happy Friday!

Free Friday: Sierra Winter Designs

Happy Friday, dear readers! Today I am happy to be able to present to you another wonderful giveaway! Monday, you got to glimpse into the wonderful design studio behind Sierra Winter designs, and today.... read more

A look into Sierra Winter Designs

  

Saturday I drove up to Kansas City to do a little pre-holiday-craziness shopping and enjoy the lovely fall weather. That afternoon I was delighted to meet with jewelry designer and owner of her self named jewelry line, Sierra Winter Designs.

I met Sierra at her studio, a bright and airy space that her father helped her create in her home. I was immediately greeted with turquoise, chunky polished stones and silver chains scattered across a sunlit workbench. Her work is a beautiful collection of delicate silver pieces intertwined with southwest-inspired elements. I loved being in her workspace. Sketches, inspirational photos and an earthly, southwestern influence filled the space. I spent an hour snapping photos and chatting with Sierra, and left feeling completely inspired. Not to mention completely enamored with her work. Etsy shop, custom orders and a line soon to grace boutiques in Kansas City... this is one designer to keep your eyes on.

  

all jeweled up

I have made no secret about the fact that I love layered necklaces (evidence here, here and here). Fortunately for me, this season has been loaded with lots of beautiful options from ribbon adorned chains to large faux rhinestones (a la J. Crew) to vintage detailing.  

About a month ago I was perusing Etsy when I stumbled across A Twist of Fate Design, a shop with loads of beautiful necklaces and other whimsical pieces of jewelry. What I love most about this shop is how the owner and designer, Maureen, incorporates unique, vintage pieces into all of her work. Whether that is an over-the-top vintage earring mounted to become a ring or a vintage broach embellishing several layers of beautiful chains. I was so delighted with the Vintage Crystal Cascade necklace she sent me that I completely lost track of time on Sunday while snapping these photos! I can already envision all of the ways I’m going to wear this necklace in the upcoming months. With layered sweaters and crisp button downs during the day, cocktail dresses for Holiday parties, faux fur… the options are endless! However, my hours on Sunday were not.

fun with accessories: a safety pin

I love a good conversation-starting piece of jewelry, and this necklace is no exception. I think the safety pin throws most people off, because nearly every time I wear it at least one person has to inspect it a little more closely before pronouncing, "Wow, I love that!" In fact, I can anticipate that anytime I wear it around my BFF I will for sure "lose" it for the remainder of the day. While mine is a sample I picked up from work, I bet it would be pretty simple to emulate: silver chain, large safety pin, lots of a fun charms... viola! 

Oh yeah! And, here's the rest of the outfit I wore with it on Sunday. Lots of layers and repeat offenders from here, here, here, and here.  I just can't get enough!

Free Friday: Tobias Designs - giveaway closed!

I'm so excited about this week's giveaway that I'm just going to jump right in! Britta, from Tobias Designs, has been so kind as to agree to give away ... read more

Tobias Designs

Sterling Silver with Anodized Aluminum Necklace

This past Saturday I was privileged to get to visit with Britta McKee, a local jewelry designer and owner of Tobias Designs. Britta graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in metalsmithing and jewelry and, let me tell you, this jewelry designer has some major talent. I dropped by to see Britta at her workshop, which just happens to be located in her home (side note: nicest person ever, with the cutest little family ever... felt like I had known her for years by the time I left!). 

Britta likes for each person to interpret her work in their own way and I was immediately drawn to a nature-inspired theme. Her collection reminds me part of leaves floating from the tree tops during autumn and part of flowers blooming in spring. Not to mention how she effortlessly intertwines surprising materials into her jewelry (you must check out her wool rings below - so cool!). In fact, quite a few of her pieces are made from anodized aluminum, like the necklace seen above. 

Autumn Rain

Fortunately for me, Britta is so nice that I was able to play dress up try on a few pieces! I have to tell you that wearing her jewelry is as fun as it looks. I could have stayed all day gazing at her work and trying to figure out a way to take it all home! 

Junkyard Beauty - talk about a statement necklace!

Anodize Earrings

I saw these fun little rings in her Etsy shop prior to visiting with her and was completely intrigued. So, of course the first question I asked was "what are these made of?!" Wool. She bought these cute little bundles of wool from another Etsy shop owner because they looked cool and then decided that they would make great rings! Ingenious.

Transparent Music

And, I have to admit that while I loved her entire collection, I was completely enamored with her rings. She has a vast assortment of beautiful and unique rings. Rings that make a statement. I, however, had my sights set on this little cutie - The Dipin' Dots ring. And, at the end of our visit she was so kind as to let me take it home. Thank you Britta!

Burnt Corn and Junkyard Beauty

Negative Flats Ring - this was the first piece she ever sold!

So, now you know where to go to get a great statement necklace or conversation starting ring! Go check out her gallery and Etsy shop today!