bulgari launches 'Le Gemme' eyewear

If you've been searching for diamond-encrusted cat eyes or rose gold frames with pink quartz accents, your time has come.  

Bulgari announced the roll out of a new haute jewelry eyewear line this fall: Le Gemme.  

Kirsten Dunst in Bulgari Le Gemme sunglasses ($12,000 appx.)

With prices ranging from approximately $800 to over $92,000 (yes, that's 5 figures) a pair of glasses from the new Bulgari collection are a splurge for most.  

But the prices are in some ways, justifiable.  

The price of gold closed at a record high of over $1600 per ounce earlier this week.  Adornments of sapphires and diamonds crank the price tag up even more.  

But are these glasses a wise investment?  Not if you break your glasses all the time like I do.

loads of pearls at nordstrom

She was really bombed,
And I was really blown away,
Until I asked
her what she wanted,
And this is what she had to say:
A pearl necklace.
She wanna pearl necklace.
She wanna pearl necklace.

photo credit: me

nice pair: vena cava + prabal gurung

A few of our faves for Spring:

vena cava

prabal gurung

images- www.fashionnotes.com

inspiration: missoni

We are loving the combination of pattern and texture from the Missoni runway. We are incorporating several colorful elements in the creation of our Summer 2011 jewelry collection - coral, turquoise, wood accents and metal are some of the materials we're weaving in.

image- 180grams.com

december 2 remember

There's lots of cool shit happening in the next few days in Portland.

Read all about it over at MOD

The most important retail month of the year is blazing onward, with a nonstop calendar of trunk shows, parties, and fashion shows everywhere you look. Keep your calendar pencil sharpened as we attempt to keep you apprised of some of this week's best Portland happenings read more...

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.

jewelry designers philip crangi, pamela love + justin giunta on the business of fashion

“I wanted to find the buried treasure in flea markets or in the attic,” he says. “I never did, so I have to make it myself.” -Philip Crangi


“My philosophy was to never chase after anybody and let everybody come to you. I feel like you are going to get more support and love from people who reach out to you and really want to work with you.” -Pamela Love



“I lay out materials like paint on a palette, and draw together disparate elements of color and texture... morphing them to ensure they land appropriately into the composition...” -Justin Giunta

Read the entire interviews on The Business of Fashion

photo credits: 1.Giles and Brother 2.Forward by Revolve 3.Subversive

logan neitzel

I just love Logan Neitzel's aesthetic. So much.

{A leather scarf? Why, yes, please!}

Die over it here.

the latest links: jewelry

emerald, the birthstone for May

These links are worth a click:

Not your typical birthstone jewelry

A young jewelry queen reigns in Queens, NYC

Jewelry designer Philip Crangi and family strive to create a dynasty of design

Bankruptcy for offshoot of Portland, OR institution Carl Greve Jewelers moves ahead



image credit: www.pkbennett.com

one year later

Here's the inside of my new space at the Olympic Mills Building. I feel spoiled rotten to be in the same building as Olympic Provisions, Citrus, Parliament Design, and other high-falutin' businesses.

Of course, this means I'll be moving out of my Multnomah Village studio, which I've shared with local jewelry legend and dear friend John Rink for the past year. I'll miss the days filled with a rare mix of tasteless jokes and sparkling diamonds.

I supposed it was time to leave my little jewelry incubator to move into a larger space. Seven new stores picked up my jewelry line in the past month or so, and I needed more room.

Of course, I'm no stranger to change. Today marks the one-year anniversary of my departure from my former job. Many of you knew me in my previous profession in the retail clothing world, before I was "reincarnated" back to a jewelry designer (I use the phrase back to because jewelry is what originally led to my 7-year stint at the boutique).

Do I miss it? Yes, sometimes I do. But, a lot of times I don't. Life moves you through stages, and I believe you have to see what's in front of you with new eyes sometimes.

One year ago, I was really confused about what the future held, but at the same time, I knew what I had been doing wasn't right for me anymore. Fortunately, I was able to take all the things (good and bad) I learned with me.

I couldn't be more fortunate than I am today. In 12 months time, I started a viable business, got back to my roots as a designer, and I hope to hire my first employee later this year. I'm headed to a trade show in a few weeks, where, for the first time, I will be the rep, no longer there as a buyer.

Wish me luck,

Katy

a few of my new necklaces

g r a y l i n g: cathedral necklace


g r a y l i n g: gold fire necklace


g r a y l i n g: lichen necklace

g r a y l i n g: voyager 10-in-1 necklace

VIEW MORE NECKLACES HERE

[ we offer free shipping in the u.s. - cool, right? ]


{all images copyright grayling jewelry 2010}

a few of my new earring designs

g r a y l i n g: long caviar earrings

g r a y l i n g: falcon earrings

g r a y l i n g: moon earrings

tranquility earrings

VIEW MORE EARRINGS HERE

[ pssst... free shipping in the u.s. ]

{all images copyright grayling jewelry 2010}

g r a y l i n g: summer lookbook

palms necklace + earrings


palms necklace + earrings


azure necklace


azure necklace


natura necklace - coming soon


natura necklace - coming soon


luminescent necklace + diamond one earrings
coming soon


luminescent necklace + diamond one earrings
coming soon


MORE LOOKBOOK IMAGES HERE

{all images copyright grayling jewelry 2010}

happenings: STS open studio

I love jewelry, flowers, plants, and things that smell good... don't you?

Then don't miss Subject to Season.... a gathering of some of my most-loved artists and designers in Portland.

Between 4-8pm, we'll get a rare chance to view (and hopefully purchase) jewelry from Hazel Cox and perfumes from Olo Fragrance (I've been wearing the Violet/Leather perfume since Fall... I'm uhhhb-sessed!).

Megan of Fieldwork Floral Operation will be hosting (I hope to get a few pots for my new showroom!), and Kim Namanny will be on hand with of-the-moment hair and styling tips.

Subject to Season

A Summertime Open Studio event

at the Ford Building

2505 SE 11th Ave. Portland, OR, No.106

Saturday, July 10th 4-8pm

For more info, check out my previous blogs on Hazel Cox and Fieldwork Floral.

baubles & bibelot: draugsvold jewelry

What do you think about these numbers from Draugsvold? I sort of love how they combine old bits and parts to form an entirely different look (the bottom necklace even looks like it has tiny owls in it).

There are more great finds on their website here. And p.s. if it's good enough for Beyonce it's good enough for me. xx

photos - all draugsvold

baubles & bibelot: monique pean x gap

What do you think of this necklace? Too tribal? Or too cool for words?

trunk show: betsy and i(saac)

trunk show!

When: Saturday, May 22nd 5-8p
Small Victories
328 NW Broadway at Flanders

baubles & bibelot: sahlia michelle

I love the jewelry my friend Sahlia makes. Her designs are tough as nails yet still feminine, a good fit for a tomboy like me who is hard on just about everything.

I recently ordered the necklace on the far left with the oxidized circle, and I picked up some molten drop earrings which you'll find me sporting most days, including today.

Also on the order: stingray skin earrings (sounds gross, looks cool), white turquoise spike earrings (Sara R., if you're reading, you need a pair, too!), and a double silver spike necklace that hangs down to the button of my jeans.

I'm not alone in my obsession with Sahlia's jewelry, read more at Calculated Fashion.

custom work: amethyst project

A small collection of crystallized amethysts stopped me in my tracks at a show earlier this year.

These weren't just common everyday amethysts. They hailed from the interior of a cave in Uruguay. As if that weren't enough, they were from the interiors of stalactites (squeal!!).

I couldn't resist their otherworldly charm, and I purchased a few.

Moments later I called up my friend S., who loves amethysts more than life itself. She asked if I would make her a few special pieces from the stones. Of course, I said yes.

oxidized silver necklace with crystallized amethyst

crystallized amethyst cocktail ring

necklace with hand-wrapped crystals,
raw quartz, and adjustable chains