Call me crazy...but when I look at this color palette I don't immediately think of Fall.

But this is exactly that......the Pantone color palette for Fall 2011 and I LOVE it!  Apparently we can toss aside those deep jewel tone colors the season typically overwhelms us with.  I for one am excited and on my recent trip to Toronto I picked up some new yummy gemstones that compliment these shades.  I can't wait to get started on the new designs but I thought I would pull out some jewels from the "archives" that reflect the above color vibe!

Cub Love

Happy Mother's Day... to all you wonderful MOMMAs!!!

It is amazing how quickly our babies grow!  I'm sure our moms thought the same thing about us when we were little.
I feel like it was yesterday that I brought Jalen home from the hospital.......and he just had his 4th birthday last week!

When I first got pregnant, my mom turned to me and said "you have not known love before Kate....when you have this little guy....... your heart is going to burst and it is going to be so different from anything else you have ever experienced".  WOW...she was right....I guess she was speaking from her own experience.........

Becoming a mom is definitely my greatest achievement........and I am  filled with such crazy pride, joy, wonder, amusement, and  heart-wrenching love every time I am in the presence of my little man.  

Such a great ride....and loving every single moment.  Happy Mother's Day Ladies...enjoy your babies!!

Motherly Feedback.....Women who Inspire me

Wow..when I look back at some of the first pieces of jewelry I made...I literally cringe.  YIKES......but I guess you have to start somewhere....and I was fortunate enough to have super supportive women in my life who...actually wore it!  Without them and their feedback, both constructive and negative, I would never have grown and challenged myself both technically and aesthetically.
My mom, Margaret, was my first guinea pig.  I gave her all sorts of crazy stuff that I was playing around with and she wore it.....and...... loved it. Go figure.   But more importantly, she got what I was trying to do and would sit with me for hours working on designs and looking at gemstones.....discussing components and techniques...until I was literally over it!  That's my mom....... and I love her for every question she has asked and criticism she has given.  She is my rock!
Because of my mom, I began to really think about my designs and who I was designing for.
But when I met my husbands mother, Jean Davis, ...... she loves jewelry as much as we all do........... I had another fan/critic in my family.  Both Jean and my mom were quick to point out that I needed to think more about the different women who were wearing my stuff.  When you're in your 30's, you're not really thinking of droopy earlobes, face shapes and all that stuff.........but they made me stop and consider it.  Thank god they did!  A lot of my current designs came straight from their ideas and it put a fire under my butt to diversify my looks.  I really do strive to create pieces that work for all women and tried to explore that in my current collections.  I hope I did okay!
I think that at the end of the day....I am so lucky to have these 2 amazing "mothers" in my life.  They have really been there for me on so many different levels.  They have given me amazing insight and helped me to grow creatively.  Much love ladies....and thank you!

My Mommacita & baby boy Jalen

Margaret & John (my step-dad)

 

Jean (sans hat) with Mary and Captain Jackson

Jean

Women Who Inspire Me - Part 1

If you had asked me when I was 10 what I wanted to be when I grew up.....well..that was easy..a Marine Biologist...without a doubt.  Then life started happening....and through travel, life  experience, and supportive relationships...I found my calling....TAH-DAH...jewelry design!!
I really do have sort of a nerdy brain and I love solving problems..but I also love creating.  So when I started making jewelry... it all  made sense. I had all of these components incorporated into one profession and everything finally came together......

It was my grandmother, Mom Eileen - Leeny, who really introduced me to the imagination and fun of accessorizing.  Her cabinet of jewelry was limitless....and my play space.  I would put on her snake arm bands and bold rings...... and in my mind become the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. I would entertain myself for hours in her closet......and of course she ways always there...encouraging me to keep playing and dreaming.  

When I was 15 years old I lost my grandmother and  I was given...... and left with pieces of her jewelry collection to remember her by.  Old Navaho Indian bracelets and rings with unreal details that to this day...still blow my mind.  

So...while I have found my calling later in life.............I really feel that I owe it to this woman......my grandmother.....the true starting of my career and passion!

Leeny & Crazy Me

Leeny & My Dad

Out of Leeny's Closet!

By the way...........this is by far.......the most emotional post I have ever shared.  I am feeling it.......for sure.  So parts 2.3.4 etc.  of women in my life are coming.....believe me ...with alot of thought ..............xox

Harper Girls Weddings

Not to sound corny, but I really am honored when someone asks me to help them design and create jewelry for their wedding day. It kinda freaks me out actually.....it is such an important moment in a woman's life...and when they are depending upon me to help them complete a look...I take it SUPER seriously.
And saying that...........sometimes it is just really FUN.... Enter the Harper Sisters..Jessica & Katy. Aside from being super gorgeous..these women are fun and always amazing to be around. They are down to earth & full of great energy. Pretty perfect package. Sorry guys.....they are both taken now!
When Jessica was married 3 years ago she wore a pair of light lemon quartz chandeliers that her super sweet husband-to-be got from me as a surprise for her.
Fast forward to last month and planning her sister Katy's upcoming wedding. Katy already had a vision of wearing dramatic earrings with her wedding dress....we just had to design them......and make them. So with a bottle of wine in hand we headed down to my studio. 4 girls, wine, and a room full of jewelry & gemstones....talk about dangerous....but we did it!!! I think you will agree...Katy looked breathtaking...as did her sister who also wore a pair of earrings from my new collection.

PS...I love by the end of her wedding night..Katy's hair was undone and all over the place.
LOVE HUGS & BIG KISSES to the Harper Sisters....beautiful brides & WOMEN!!!xoxo

Studio Space

I have been hiding out in my studio for weeks now busy working on my spring jewelry. I finally came up for air this weekend to do some fun stuff......and actually remembered what it felt like to be social (whew..am i out of practice....I went through lots of wardrobe changes and makeup towelettes).
So being a jewelry designer, when I meet new people they usually ask me where my studio is. I know it doesn't seem very glamorous..but..my home based studio is super convenient and functional. I LOVE it! It is a great creative space and more importantly it allows me to be a hands on mom!..the most important reason for sure:)

Colors of the South

I love to shop for other people and this past holiday led me into Elizabeth Stuart Design where I stumbled across this amazing book of photography by Sally Mann called "Deep South" . I was immediately mesmerized by her raw and powerful images of the south. There is something so truthful and beautiful in the composition of these photos that is very appealing to me.
So appealing in fact that I decided to base my colors for my spring collection of jewelry entirely on these pictures. I have always been really drawn to muted and subtle tones and it was fun for me to try and translate these images into gemstones. What color is spanish moss exactly? See my gemstone selections below and tell me what you think!