5 Key Pieces For Spring

view these styles and more online

choked out

I knew this was coming... the choker is back!  We must be running out of styles to recycle if we're doing the choker again.

Sure, mini backpacks, oversized sweatshirts and babydoll dresses hold a place in my heart - IN THE PAST - during a time when Blossom, 90210, and early Seinfeld ruled the TV.

I don't care how conceptually cool this necklace is, it's still a no-no:

ManiaMania choker in black suede with a brass ring and black tourmaline crystal
$240 at themaniamania.com  courtesy, Phillipe Regard for the New York Times

Sure, there are versions that read "clean" and "futuristic" or modern. I won't be donning one of those either. The whole thing is just ick. It was bad enough the first time.

Read more on this horrifying trend from Glamour, Elle, and the New York Times.

I'd love to hear your comments.

about topaz: properties, meanings + facts

Topaz: the traditional November birthstone.

five faves under sixty

shop these styles and more at http://shop.graylingjewelry.com

inspiration: i dream of byzantine

One of the more difficult aspects of creating a new collection of jewelry is deciding on color.

I begin building the framework for an upcoming season far in advance.  You'll find me working on sketches for a summer necklace while there is snow on the ground.  As of late I've been putting the finishing touches on our Winter/Holiday collection in 70-degree weather.  

Rich jewel tones and metallics reign for Winter/Holiday.  We're pairing forest green with gunmetal, gilded bronze with gold, and plum with antiqued brass.  These colors nestle right in with the lush velvets and embroidered dresses we've seen for the cooler weather.

Always a fan of Chanel, I found the pre-fall collection to be quite inspiring, and surprisingly in line with our chosen color palette.

Karl Lagerfeld's designs for Chanel were rich in Byzantine references, inspired heavily by Empress Theodora and imperial Roman dress.  Decorative collars, bejeweled stoles, and silk headpieces played dominant roles in Chanel's Paris-Byzance Collection:

CHANEL Paris-Byzance Sandal 

CHANEL Paris-Byzance Ring

CHANEL Paris-Byzance handbag

A look from CHANEL's pre-fall 2011 ad campaign

A look from CHANEL's pre-fall 2011 ad campaign

Limperatrice Theodora Au Colisee by Benjamin Constant

I personally adore the satin dress with the embroidered gold details.  What's your favorite? 

View the rest of Paris-Byzance here.  

Sweet dreams.

-Katy

images 1-5, www.chanel.com

image 6 www.wikipedia.com

trunk show at mink

Please join Mink and grayling for a showing of the new grayling spring/summer 2011 jewelry collection on Saturday, April 16 from 10 am to 7 pm.

Katy Kippen, designer of grayling, will be on-hand to share her inspiration for her most-recent collection of brightly-colored statement pieces. A fashionable grab bag of materials were worked into necklaces, bracelets,and earrings in turquoise, lime, indigo, and hot pink for the season. The vibrant hues are a perfect compliment to the tribal influences and primary colors found in stores right now.

The entire S/S collection is limited-edition and is available for a short time only. Keep an eye out for one-off designs created just for the event.

Can't make it to Mink? Shop grayling jewelry online for a nice selection from the S/S Collection.

grayling mosaic shield earrings

grayling topanga necklace

we heart pyrite

Lately we've been a fool for some fool's gold. The name pyrite is derived from the Greek πυρίτης (puritēs), "of fire" or "in fire", from πύρ (pur), "fire". These new grayling pyrite pieces will have you on fire for sure. Pyrite is said to have healing and balancing qualities that can help restore focus.

The new Stalactite Bracelet $148

The new Stalactite Necklace $179

Stalactite styles will be arriving soon to the grayling online store but are available now in our showroom (open Thursdays and Fridays from 11am-5pm) or contact us for a special order. Stay tuned for even more styles featuring pyrite.

Shop other great contemporary fashion jewelry from grayling here.

grayling spring preview

We've been knee deep in Spring inspiration lately and we are so excited to be releasing our Spring Collection soon. Here is a taste of some of the fresh new styles we will be offering up.

Color!

Color!

Color!

Stay tuned for more to come!

In the mean time click here to shop current styles of great contemporary fashion jewelry from Grayling.

nice pair: new for spring

Punxatawney Phil says its an early spring so it gives us good reason to kick up our heels and get excited for spring footwear! Sure it may still be chilly out but soon it will be time to trade in our Hunter rain boots for a pair of bright new sandals.

Loeffler Randall Vivian Wedge

Dolce Vita Nyle Beaded Sandal

Our toes can hardly wait! Pair these fun spring styles with a spunky Grayling Falcon bracelet.

Photos courtesy of Refinery29

put a ring on it

Daaaaaaaaaaamn! Recently we were visiting one of our favorite local boutiques, Frances May, where we saw this super sick pyrite ring by designer Andy Lifschutz. Basically all we can say is I.WANT. The mixture of organic and sparkle, high fashion and wearablity is amazing.

Another sweet ring from Andy Lifschutz's Nature Speaks line

This ring would look great paired with a Grayling Celestial Necklace.

To see the full line of Nature Speaks rings by Andy Lifschutz, click here.

Shop great contemporary fashion from Frances May here.

Photos by Nialls Fallon.

come and take a voyage

When it comes to versatility look no further than the Voyager Necklace.

This necklace is one of our favorite pieces at g r a y l i n g to travel with. Why? Because if we're on a trip this is the ONLY necklace we need to pack.

The ten-in-one styling keeps you covered from day to evening. Dress it up, dress it down, long, short, you name it... the Voyager Necklace is here to make it happen.

the Voyager Necklace worn full length with all charms

the Voyager Necklace worn short with all charms

all charms are removable - mix and match depending on your look

single rock crystal charm worn on single short chain

Have fun and experiment with mixing and matching the charms and necklace lengths. Fun, versatile and fashionable, the Voyager Necklace is sure to become a staple in your contemporary jewelry collection.

Shop here for other great pieces to pair with the Voyager Necklace like the Eclipse Earring or Constellation Bracelet.

the givenchy gimmes

hello, lovely necklace.

givenchy sp 2011 - photo courtesy, www.fashionista.com

new showroom hours

Well, the new year is here (quite frankly, I am glad! I welcome the freshness of January with open arms).

With the new year we are announcing new hours! The showroom will now be open every Thursday and Friday from 11-5, with all other days by appointment.

You can book your appointment online or call 503-548-4979, whatever works for you.

We look forward to your visit.

free delivery by christmas eve!

Have you checked out our online store lately? We added 50+ new contemporary jewelry styles just in time for Christmas.

We're participating in FREE SHIPPING DAY on 12-17-10 like many online stores, but we decided to take it to the next level... so we're offering COMPLIMENTARY GIFT WRAP, too!

The deal is: make any purchase on 12-17-10 and we'll make sure it gets to you by Christmas Eve. All you have to do is shop!

Click on over to shop for jewelry online - it just couldn't be any easier.

happenings: naturals trunk show

uncommon jewels: it's time to shop!

Join seven of your favorite local jewelry artists for a holiday shopping event. Shop limited edition work and collections from Alisha Louise, Amy Bengston, betsy & iya, grayling, Lauren Harkness, Sahlia, and stone + honey.

Enjoy a hosted wine bar by Red Slate Wine Company while you shop, plus complimentary gift wrap for all your purchases.

*Major credit cards accepted.

uncommon jewels: a holiday shopping happy hour

date:

Friday, December 17th, 2010

location:
Olympic Mills Building - 107 SE Washington St.
near Produce Row Cafe and Sheridan Fruit Company off MLK

time:

3 pm to 9 pm

more:
503-548-4979

www.olympicmill.com

winter showroom party @ grayling

Please click on the little flyer below for more information. We hope to see you on December 4th (or before or after, of course).

happenings: temple st clair trunk show

from the Temple St Clair blog:

"... the new Odyssey Collection launched in August. A journey from East to West finding inspiration from the richness of the Persian Empire to the ancient city of Troy in Asia Minor, and the 19th century love of Orientalism. From signature rock crystal amulets adorned with sultry evil eyes to golden amphora vessels to Victorian inspired gypsy rings, this collection features exquisitely rare rubies, emeralds and sapphires."

Let me say I am in L-O-V-E with the ring shown above and the earrings shown below, both by Temple St Clair.

TEMPLE ST CLAIR
TRUNK SHOW
at Alchemy Jewelers in the Pearl District
Portland, Oregon

November 26 & 27, 2010
http://www.alchemyjeweler.com/

photo - temple st clair blog

SAVE THE DATE - 12/17

An open studio event is in the works that will combine the talents of seven jewelry designers who live and design in the Pacific Northwest.

-:: UNCOMMON JEWELS ::-

...will take place December 17th, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., in an as-of-yet undisclosed location in Portland, Oregon.

Limited edition work and collections from jewelry artists Alisha Louise, Amy Bengston, Betsy & Iya, grayling, Lauren Harkness, Sahlia, and stone + honey will be showcased.

The evening will include complimentary artistic gift wrap and a hosted wine bar.

More details to follow...

baubles & bibelot: blessed jewelry

Ridiculously cool stingray pouch necklaces by BLESSED available at one of my very favorite stores, Naturals.