John S Brana – Handmade Fine Jewelry is featured by the San Francisco Chronicle

“A ring, a necklace or a bracelet can be more than a metal or stone object,” wrote Carolyne Zinko, Fashion Writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. “It can also be the keeper of a memory – just ask its owner, or its maker,” (as published in an article entitled “New techniques, timeless tales at jewelry exhibition,” September 25, 2008 in the San Francisco Chronicle.)

This fashion journalist stopped by each of the 21 fine jewelry designers’ exhibitions to learn the stories behind the jewelry during her attendance to the Designers by the Bay event this August. As anyone who creates for a living knows, and as Ms. Zinko understood, jewelry, fashion, and all forms of art in general are personal and often emotional for its creator. Everything has its reason.

For John S. Brana, newcomer to the fine jewelry scene and first-time exhibitor at this event, his reason is to honor his creative upbringing and his inspiration is the city around him. John enjoyed the chance to show his hand-crafted creations to industry professionals, retailers and his peers as he reached into his case time and again to tell his stories and inspirations while curious attendees modeled his jewelry.

Future opportunities to view his work and to meet John S. Brana in person include:

Saturday, October 11. Heritage Boutique Trunk Show featuring John S. Brana. 4556 Dublin Blvd., Dublin, CA 94568. 925.560.6591.

Thursday, November 6. Art People Gallery Artist Exhibition and Trunk Show featuring John S. Brana and Klaus Lange. Crocker Galleria, 50 Post St. #41, San Francisco, CA 94104. 415.956.3650.
 

Fine Handcrafted Jewelry…from the Hands of an Innovative New Designer

New work in fine jewelry by the otherwise bridge category designer, John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry, proved favorable to the crowd at the Designers by the Bay event held at Shreve & Co. August 21.  This newcomer to the list of 20 established fine jewelry exhibitors showcased stunning textured cuffs, sculpted earrings and intricate filigree scrollwork in 18K and 14K gold and fine silver with gemstones.  Perhaps his most beautiful new design is a pair of spiraling 14K gold fold formed leaf earrings encasing strands of 13.5carat faceted peridots which, as so many good design ideas occur, happened by accident.

“I was drilling holes for the earwires using a drill press and instead of turning it off, I accidentally increased its speed and the metal just started flailing and spiraling around the drill bit!” described Brana who created over ten new designs for the event.  “When I finally got it to turn off, it had formed this twisted fan shape and I thought, ‘that’s pretty cool… now how do I do that again?’”  Thankfully, he was able to recreate the shape as it is now available with several gemstone varieties at a suggested retail of $880.  Equally as stunning is a pair of 18K Gold and Fine Silver Filigree earrings. 

Just as Brana is entering the upper crust of fine jewelry, he continues to develop his lines of bridge category designs inspired by the city in which he creates them, San Francisco.  Among the most commented upon and tried on piece of his collection for the event was his anticlastic copper cuffs.  “Copper is one of my favorite metals.  It showcases amazing texture and its rich, rose gold color is so beautiful on so many people,” said Brana who handcrafts original jewelry designs ranging from $65-$4000.  In the coming months look for new collections including Muir Woods featuring earthy, forest themes, and an artistic collaboration with a German-born chef at sea who captures the images of sea-worn ships in abstract photography and wearable silk art.  To view each of his collections, visit www.johnsbrana.com.  For wholesale and media inquiries, contact Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Promotions at karriann@altitudepromotion.com or 402.490.2579. 

New Jewelry – SoMa Collection