Lisa Levine

There’s no higher endorsement of one’s work than that of a fellow colleague who inserts your designs into their personal wardrobe rotation, wearing the piece again, and again, and again. And truth be known that Lisa Levine is one those rare talents whose jewelry is consistently worn by New York’s fashion populi.

Her signature pieces are typically ethereal, with mixed metal draped arrangements, but her latest collection serves up bold color, holding fast onto the beat of summer. Vintage brass and copper chains in slinky, chunky widths are adorned with a mixture of beads and stones, some along one side, others broken into color-blocked segments.

To browse styles and purchase visit Creatures of Comfort.

Rising Trend: Seed Bead Jewelry

Weaving small beads into intricate patterns has been around for ages, literally, harking back to ancient Egypt, eighth century Japan, and ninth century India. Of course, we still see glass seed beads adorned on dresses, sweaters and other elegant apparel, and now they are making a comeback in jewelry as well.

Fallon’s fringe necklaces were the first to make a splash, and now you can find beaded collar creations at stores like Urban Outfitters. But we love the inspired pieces lovingly produced by artisans such as Patrizia Tager (necklace above) and Carol Deane Sharpe…elaborate and interesting, these jewelry selections are the real deal.

To browse styles and purchase visit:

Triz Designs - Beadwork by Patrizia Tager
Beaded and Fiber Gifts by Carol Dean Sharpe

Best of Etsy: Knee Highs & Pigtails Jewelry

This series highlights noteworthy jewelry selections available on Etsy, the mammoth online marketplace for handmade goods.

Camille and Sara, best friends since they were wearing knee high socks and sporting pigtails in their hair, re-work vintage findings into pieces that would be at home in grandma's jewelry box, if, of course, her life was drawn from the same cloth as Anaïs Nin’s.

And while many crafters dabble with found elements, we appreciate that these selections were created with a consistent sensibility. All too often, you see a little of this, and a little of that, but no threaded vision, especially as price points dip lower and lower. Predominately produced with raw brass treated to darken over time, the super affordable necklaces and earring sets are sprinkled with colorful Czech beading in dusty hues.

To view styles and purchase, visit the Knee Highs & Pigtails Etsy shop.

Hot Pick: Cristalette Thunderbird Earrings

Some jewelry designers tend to craft their wares in a bit of a vacuum, imagining the woman that buys their pieces, but never really knowing for sure if their inspiration is in fact their true customer. Designer Cristina Armijo smartly does not play this game, opting instead to fully immerse herself within the Bay area scene that she not only designs for but helps to create. More than a handful of prominent area bands don her playful clothing designs for gigs (Armijo herself is also a musician), but it’s her signature Thunderbird earrings that are all the rage with the locals. The fringe earrings are heavily beaded, and dangle 4” in length.

Available at Bona Drag in sky blue, black and red. You can also visit the designer's Etsy shop.

Best of Etsy: Christine Kangas

This post is part of an ongoing series highlighting noteworthy jewelry selections available on Etsy, the mammoth online marketplace for handmade goods.

It’s easy to get caught up in the quest for the statement necklace, but sometimes a sweet little something for the ears is the better adornment. Designer Christine Kangas crafts dainty brass earrings that flaunt hand-wrapped vintage fabric beads paired with rustic stones and sparkling crystals. The pieces look antique, yet modern, and decidedly feminine.

To view styles and purchase visit the Christine Kangas Etsy Shop.

Hot Pick: Sconi

Summer is all about uncomplicated pleasures, which is why “throw it on and go” dresses always hit the mark, especially when you can spice them up with the right jewelry piece. Sconi’s beaded loop necklace, hand crafted in Guatemala, flaunts beautifully draped glass bead clusters in a looping arrangement. Toss it over weekend knit dresses, or linen shifts for work…easy, easy, easy.

Available at Candy Store Collective.