Food & Drink

Locally Made Jewelry

A roundup of bold and delicate accessories fashioned by Northwest artists with crystals, recycled ma

By Kate Calamusa and Cody Ellerd Bay August 9, 2011

0911_shoppingjewelry_0

This article originally appeared in the September 2011 issue of Seattle magazine.

 

NATURE CALLS
Statement pieces inspired by the sea
Clockwise from top: Oversized chiffon “Petal” earrings with brass chain detail, by Pamela Davis of Capitol Hill–based Mucho Design ($34, available at Assemble Gallery & Studio on Phinney Ridge; muchodesign.etsy.com). Laser-cut metallic gold leather collar “Bouquet” necklace on plated brass chain, by Andrea Bijou of Maple Leaf’s Bijoudally ($95, available at Frock Shop on Phinney Ridge; bijoudally.com). Oyster shell necklace with freshwater pearl details on gold chain, by Sara Green of Capitol Hill–based Spill Jewelry ($150, available on spilljewelry.com). Necklace of sea urchin spine pieces on antique brass chain, by Alisa Poage of Bothell-based Alisaw ($26, available at alisaw.etsy.com).

 

HEAVY METALS
For these Northwest smithies, precious metals are powerful, from hammered silver rings to unexpected mixed gold and silver earrings and refined brass pendants

Clockwise from top left: Multiple band sterling silver “Big Bang-Le” bracelet with white topaz stone, by Zuzana Korbelarova of Vashon Island–based Zuzko Jewelry ($480, available at zuzko.com). Brass and silver “Finger Armor” ring with rolled metal tree branch detailing, by silversmith Shelli Markee of Ballard-based Shelli Markee Wire Art + Jewelry ($250 and up, available at Momo in Japantown/ International District; shellimarkee.com). Sterling and fine silver ring with inverted dome soldered detailing, by Lori Linkous Devine of upper Fremont-based Lolide ($158, available at Ghost Gallery on Capitol Hill; lolide.com). Matte 24K gold over sterling silver “Wheat Cuff” with ancient Egyptian wheat inlay design, by River Burke, owner of River Song Jewelry in Madison Valley ($695, available at the store or riversongjewelry.com). Mixed metal large silver hoops with gold wrap detail, by Capitol Hill–based Sara Green of Spill Jewelry ($136, available at Queen Anne Dispatch; spilljewelry.com). Oxidized brass “Fig” pendant necklace on silver chain, by Dorothy Cheng of University District–based Dorothy Cheng Jewelry ($70, available at Far4 downtown; dorothychengjewelry.com). Hand-forged mixed earrings with fine silver hoops, silver-leaf hoop and 14K gold-fill pendant, by Ballard-based Amy Bixby of Amy Bixby Jewelry ($148, available at Venue in Ballard; amybixby.com). Hand-forged “Defenced ” bracelet with hammered sterling silver headpins woven together with silver clasp, also by Zuzko Jewelry ($345, available at zuzko.com)

 

SCRAP PILE
One man’s junk pile is a resourceful jeweler’s playground, full of playful trinkets to recycle as eco-savvy statement bling

Clockwise from top left: Scrap leather “Chain Gang” limited-edition chain-link medium necklace, by four-person Capitol Hill design collective Free Time Industries ($264, available at Nube Green on Capitol Hill; freetimeindustries.com). “Venus and Mars Conjunct in Taurus” necklace with reclaimed jasper crescent, gray faceted bone disk on vintage gold-toned ring and chain, by Meghann Sommer of Capitol Hill &c. (Etcetera) Jewelry ($80, available at etceterajewelry.bigcartel.com). Clear white quartz crystal necklace encased in an old bullet shell casing on antique brass chain, by Alisa Poage of Bothell-based Alisaw ($26–$38, line available at Bliss in Fremont; alisaw.etsy.com). Vintage “Elk Lodge” token necklace with vintage pearl accent on antique brass chain, by Shannon Peters of South Park–based Flutterbudget ($24, available at flutterbudget.com). Recycled, hand-painted leather “Sunny” 5-inch-long fringe earrings, by Tiffany Eley of Ballard-based Daly Bird ($45, available at Show Pony in Fremont; dalybird.com)

 

STONE AGE
Forget dainty and demure—these on-trend pieces are flush with rough-cut agates, chunky quartz and dramatic crystals that celebrate our wild and woolly nature in the most elegant of ways

Clockwise from top: Long “Porcelain Gem Necklace” with hand-cast ceramic white “stone” suspended between draping chains, by Ballard-based designers Jean Lee and Dylan Davis of Ladies & Gentlemen ($68, available at ladiesandgentlemenstudio.com). Brass-wire-wrapped, rough-cut aquamarine nugget ring with sterling silver hand-cut band, by Lori Linkous Devine of upper Fremont-based Lolide Designs ($78, available at lolide.com). Upside down” rutilated quartz ring with oxidized sterling silver band, by Zuzana Korbelarova of Vashon Island–based Zuzko Jewelry ($355, available at zuzko.com). Aura quartz “Rainbow” ring (made by oxidizing titanium quartz in a sealed chamber to create rainbow-like sheen) melded to silver band, by Lower Queen Anne artist Debra Baxter as part of her Crystal Bomb series ($350, available at debrabaxtercrystalbomb.bigcartel.com). Double retro green agate tusks on hammered hoops ($90 ) and three-tier faceted turquoise teardrop earrings also on hammered hoops ($100), both by Columbia City–based Regina Chang (available at Hitchcock in Madrona; reginachang.com)

 

Follow Us

15 Valentine’s Day Gifts

15 Valentine’s Day Gifts

Fleece slippers, chocolate figs, and The Book of Love

Who doesn’t want to celebrate love and make someone (anyone!) feel special? So, whether you’re all in or not so much, if you’re looking for gift ideas, here are a few to consider...

The Best Gifts for Travel Lovers 

The Best Gifts for Travel Lovers 

Tinsel, eggnog, mistletoe, and luggage

Travel lovers are the easiest people to buy for. Wrap a gift in old maps and they’ll spend hours deciphering the roadways and important coordinates. Put something inside the wrapping that will satiate their wanderlust, or encourage it, and you might be their next invitee to Paris.

Black Black Friday launches in Seattle

Black Black Friday launches in Seattle

The event is designed to boost Black-owned businesses

An initiative launched in Seattle encourages residents to spend money at Black-owned businesses, starting on Black Friday. Called Black Black Friday, the movement was organized by Laura Clise, founder and CEO of the Intentionalist, an online directory of thousands of small businesses owned by women, people of color, veterans, LBGTQ+, families, and differently abled people,…

Costco Goes for the Gold

Costco Goes for the Gold

Have a sudden need for gold bars? Better act fast.

The warehouse retailer known for everything from its popular food court to organic maple syrup and bulk, well, everything, is now in the business of selling gold. That’s right. Costco is peddling one-ounce gold bars online. But you have to be a member to buy them. And they’re not cheap. Shoppers have two options: One…