March 18-23, 2010 - Visit Handmade Jewelry by John S. Brana at LA March Market in the Cooper Design Building #321 from Thursday, 3/18 – Tuesday, 3/23. Altitude Promotions will be showcasing the latest Fall 2010 and Summer 2010 designer jewelry collections by John S. Brana.
View the collections in person in The Great Room Showroom, #321 – The Cooper Building Showroom, 860 South Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014. Book your appointment by emailing
karriann@altitudepromotion.com or calling 415.738.6298.
Starting March 2010, www.johnsbrana.com will be running a monthly drawing for one featured piece of jewelry. For March, win these light-catching Hammered Fine Silver Tear Drop Earrings by entering your email address on any pop-up hang-tag that appears on www.johnsbrana.com Your entry carries over month to month, so there’s no need to re-enter every month.
Each month will feature a different piece of jewelry, so enter now!
January 16-18, 2010 - “The FOCUS” Apparel and Accessories Show, taking place from January 16- 18, 2010 in the California Market Center (CMC) Penthouse on the 13th Floor, A-Wing will feature hand-picked emerging and established lines. “FOCUS is the tradeshow destination for buyers to find the best new, up & coming, artist driven lines. During the January 2010 show, FOCUS will feature many first time exhibitors including Project Runway Season 6 finalist, Althea Harper as well as the latest San Francisco Inspired Handmade Jewelry styles for Summer 2010 by John S. Brana. The January 2010 “FOCUS” Apparel and Accessories Show is also first in a year long partnership with Fashion Business Inc. (FBI) and will present the FBI “Designer Launch Pad Fashion Show” on the FOCUS show floor.
“The FOCUS” Apparel and Accessories Show will begin its 3rd year on the Penthouse of the CMC in January 2010. In that time it has carved out a niche’ featuring the top new, up and coming, artist driven designers and lines, not found anywhere else. January 2010 will feature rising star collections amongst many other great lines. Althea Harper was a contestant on famed TV program,Project Runway’s sixth season. Her line has a unique design aesthetic that combines tailoring, draping and shape to create garments that are both functional and beautiful. Althea Harper will be exhibited along with other lines from the Altitude Fashion Showroom including, Amber Pollard Handbags, Bees Company, India Rose Collection, John S. Brana Jewelry Collection, and Heike Jarick Blue Label Collection. View the latest San Francisco Inspired Handmade Jewelry styles for Summer 2010 by John S. Brana at the FOCUS Trade Show in the California Market Center Penthouse. Booth # 100. You may book your appointment by calling the Altitude Fashion Showroom at 415.738.6298 or emailing Karri Ann Frerichs directly.
Item New York, a newly opened boutique on 444 Broome St. between Broadway and Mercer in New York’s upscale SoHo neighborhood is the latest store to carry jewelry styles by San Francisco jewelry designer, John S. Brana. The cozy store features a minimalistic interior with gunmetal colored walls and dark wood accents and is beautifully stocked with a well-edited selection of one-of-a-kind statement pieces from jewelry to handbags. The store’s concept is to offer its shoppers that special signature piece that becomes the standout “item” to accentuate their ensemble. We weren’t surprised Item fell in love with John S. Brana’s Muir Woods earrings and Pacific Heights cocktail rings!
A hand-selected collection of John S. Brana’s copper, patinated, and aluminum earrings are now available to purchase at the SoHo boutique, including various pairs of his well-received “lily pad” earring styles. Shoppers may choose from John S. Brana’s dramatic, wire-wrapped cocktail rings set with large carat gemstones including smoky quartz, citrine, amethyst, and blue topaz from his Pacific Heights Collection. And, jewelry connoisseurs will surely spot the most elegant piece of the entire selection, the multi-strand layered gemstone necklace featuring amber, citrine, crystal quartz, gold freshwater pearls, and hammered sterling silver discs from the Barbary Coast Collection of statement jewelry. This is absolutely the perfect piece for that special someone who will fall in love at first sight.
Item New York 444 Broome St. New York City, NY 10013 646-221-3472
Karri Ann Frerichs – Altitude Designers, features Copper Patinated jewelry by jewelry designer John S. Brana at Bloomingdale’s – Stanford. The Muir Woods collection evokes the serenity and timelessness of this prehistoric redwood forest. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants and rings are both delicate and exotic. The nature-inspired, handcrafted textures allow the jewelry to be gorgeously warped like the bark of a tree or the rush of river water. Burnt umber, red bronze, smoky lavender, iridescent greens and turquoise hues complete the collection.
Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Designers, talks about Labradorite and other Feldspar gemstones just featured by Colored Stone Magazine as the upcoming hottest trend in gemstones for 2010, and showcases several designs by San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana incorporating this trend. Other featured handcrafted designer rings include Russian Jade, Peach Moonstone, Citrine, Moonstone, Green Amethyst, and Green Gold Quartz gemstones.
Karri Ann Frerichs introduces the SoMa Statement Cuff Collection by San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana during his trunk show at Bloomingdale’s – Stanford. These bold Sterling Silver and Copper cuffs come in a variety of anticlastic styles and textures including corrugated, texturized, chased, and hammered.
San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana will be showcasing his handmade jewelry at Bloomingdale’s – Stanford on Black Friday, 27th, 2009 through Sunday November 29th, 2009 from noon to six p.m. Situated in Bloomingdale’s accessory department right next to the Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag collection, shoppers can select from a showcase of his handmade copper nature-inspired Muir Woods jewelry designs all discounted 20% during Bloomingdale’s Black Friday weekend event.
Shoppers are encouraged to visit www.Bloomingdales.com and choose the Stanford location through the store locator for detailed information on each sale and promotion. To preview jewelry that will be available at each Bloomingdale’s Holiday Trunk Show, shoppers are encouraged to visit www.JohnSBrana.com and click on the collections tab to view jewelry styles from the Muir Woods, Pacific Heights, Monterey, and SoMa Collections.
Bloomingdale’s will host the following events and promotions which may also be applied to jewelry purchases during each John S. Brana Holiday Trunk Show:
• November 27-29, Black Friday Sales
• December 5-6, Bloomingdale’s Private Sale
• December 19-20, Bloomingdale’s Insider Sale
• December 26-27, Bloomingdale’s After Christmas Sale.
Karri Ann Frerichs talks about John S. Brana’s Sea Cliff Collection at his Bloomingdale’s – Stanford trunk show. Just like creatures of the sea, no two creations are alike as each is individually handcrafted by jewelry designer John S. Brana. Make a statement with jellyfish-shaped earrings embellished with freshwater pearls, anemone or starfish-shaped rings set with tiny gemstones and coral reef inspired silver anticlastic cuffs.
Karri Ann Frerichs introduces handmade bronze rings and sterling silver rings set with semi-precious gemstones by San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana at his November 13-14 trunk show at Bloomingdale’s – Stanford. The Muir Wood’s jewelry collection features nature inspired tree branch rings that hold large faceted Citrine, Labradorite, Moonstone, Green Amethyst, Rutilated Quartz, Amethyst, and Green Gold Quartz gemstones.
John S. Brana has been designing handcrafted jewelry since 2006 and has been been featured in over a dozen fashion media and jewelry trade publications since launching his career. This November, he became one of a handful of jewelry designers whose collections are showcased by fashion sales representatives in San Francisco’s only fashion showroom collective. Retail buyers and fashion editors may now view John S. Brana’s handcrafted fine jewelry in the newly opened Altitude Promotions showroom in the Sobel Building in the heart of San Francisco’s famed design district.
The San Francisco Fashion Collective consists of seven fashion sales representatives, each with their own showroom, who manage over 35 apparel and accessory brands. This November, Altitude Promotions joined the SFFC and opened its own showroom featuring four fashion brands including the jewelry collections by bridge category jewelry designer, John S. Brana. San Francisco-inspired jewelry collections which are showcased include the Muir Woods Collection of nature-inspired jewelry, the Nob Hill Collection of fine silver filigree earrings, the SoMa Collection of statement cuffs, the Barbary Coast Collection of semi-precious gemstone necklaces and wire-wrapped earrings, and the Pacific Heights Collection of large carat gemstone earrings and cocktail rings.
The Altitude Promotions showroom is located in the San Francisco Fashion Collective at 680 8th Street, Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94103. Retail buyers and fashion editors are welcome to visit the Altitude Promotions showroom to view John S. Brana’s collections and line sheets Monday through Friday from 9a.m. To 6p.m. To schedule an appointment with the showroom and to request line sheets, please email info@altitudepromotion.com or call Karri Ann Frerichs directly at 1.402.490.2579.
I love browsing online just as much as you. When it comes time for holiday shopping or just treating yourself, sometimes you can’t remember where you found that oh-so-perfect item weeks before. Don’t let your online bookmarks get out of control – simply tell me your wish list (and I’ll offer special VIP pricing to make your wishes come true)!
New this Holiday 2009 Gift Giving Season, I want to grant your wishes! This is your chance to tell me just what you want and I’ll ensure you get it this season. So let me grant your Holiday wishes by starting your wish list today!
Just click on this link http://www.johnsbrana.com/customer/account/login/ and Create an Account. Then browse through my collections of handcrafted jewelry for men and women and click “Add to your Wish List” when you find just the right item. You can even “Sign Up for a price alert” and be immediately notified when prices drop on selected jewelry. When it comes time to purchase, simply return to your list and you’ll find special pricing on all your desired jewelry!
During his first weekend trunk show at Bloomingdale’s – Stanford this October, John S. Brana showcased just how popular his handcrafted, nature-inspired jewelry designs are with the Bloomingdale’s shopper. To celebrate this success, Bloomingdale’s – Stanford has invited John S. Brana back for a series of five subsequent holiday trunk shows beginning in November. All shows occur in conjunction with various Bloomingdale’s shopping promotions and sales, and shoppers will receive special pricing on jewelry by John S. Brana as well. Each trunk show will occur between 12:00pm to 6:00pm on the following dates: November 13-14, November 27-29, December 5-6, December 19-20, and December 26-27.
John S. Brana’s October showcase was situated in Bloomingdale’s accessory department right next to the Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag collection. Shoppers were immediately drawn to Brana’s handcrafted jewelry showcased by displays of cast iron sculptural tree branches that beautifully reflect his nature-inspired jewelry designs. “This is different,” shoppers would comment and immediately start browsing among Brana’s collections of patinated copper and brass leaf-shaped earrings, texturized sterling silver cuffs, and large carat gemstone rings. “Customers were really drawn to my latest earring designs which remind me of colored geranium leaves or lily pads,” describes Brana when asked about his best sellers. “They are also pleasantly surprised to learn that I handcraft each jewelry piece and am still able to price many of my designs under $100.”
Bloomingdale’s will host the following events and promotions which may also be applied to jewelry purchases during each John S. Brana Holiday Trunk Show:
• November 13-14, 20% off Secret Santa Promotion
• November 27-29, Black Friday Sales
• December 5-6, Bloomingdale’s Private Sale
• December 19-20, Bloomingdale’s Insider Sale
• December 26-27, Bloomingdale’s After Christmas Sale.
Shoppers are encouraged to visit www.Bloomingdales.com and choose the Stanford location through the store locator for detailed information on each sale and promotion. To preview jewelry that will be available at each Bloomingdale’s Holiday Trunk Show, shoppers are encouraged to visit www.JohnSBrana.com and click on the collections tab to view jewelry styles from the Muir Woods, Pacific Heights, Monterey, and SoMa Collections.
John S. Brana is introducing stackable rings and matching bangles and cuffs to his collection of fine jewelry designs in 14K, 18K Gold, and Sterling Silver exclusively for the 13th Annual Designers by the Bay and Fine Jewelry Showcase, Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. The most exciting creations include stunning cuffs in Sterling Silver, 14K, and 18K gold, sculpted and texturized by hand in his San Francisco studio. More than 200 guests well known in the Northern California jewelry industry are expected to attend this premier event to be held at Shreve & Co., 200 Post Street, San Francisco.
“As a second year exhibitor, I will be showcasing upcoming Spring 2010 trends that emphasize sculptural textures, color, and versatility” said Brana who is best known by his clients for meticulous attention to handcrafted details in the bridge jewelry category. Each texture reflects light in its own unique way allowing admirers to easily distinguish between the individual bands and bangles.Numerous “looks” can be achieved simply by arranging textures and color.Stackable rings and bangles come in seven textures handmade in Sterling Silver, Copper, 14K Gold, and 18K Yellow, Green, and Rose Gold, with soon to be released designs set with white diamonds, colored diamonds, and semi-precious gemstones.
The continual growth of Designers by the Bay, presented by the Women’s Jewelry Association, Northern California Chapter, has lent it the reputation for being the region’s premier fine jewelry event. Only 15 select jewelry designers will showcase their collections and guests may enjoy complementary wine and hors d’oeuvres. To RSVP for the event, please visit www.designersbythebay.com. To view current collections by John S. Brana, please visit www.johnsbrana.com. For more information and media requests regarding John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry, please contact Karri Ann Frerichs at 402.490.2579 or karriann@altitudepromotion.com.
Handmade jewelry collections by John S. Brana will be showcased during Fleet Week Fashion Event, at Live Worms Gallery, 1345 Grant Ave. and 1418 Grant Ave. (next to Ooma), Saturday, October 10th – 10am to 7pm and October 11th – 11am to 5pm.
Shop directly from the San Francisco Bay Area’s innovative designers offering collections for women, men, children and the home. View and shop artwork and photography from Bay Area artists and fashion photographers. John S. Brana will be featuring his newest patinated handmade copper jewelry collection “Muir Woods” along with an upcoming line of stackable rings, bangles, and statement cuffs.
For more information about this event, check out the Style Elevation website.
Here’s an introduction to my Muir Woods patinated handmade copper jewelry collection I will be premiering this weekend at Bloomingdale’s – Stanford. The trunk show will take place Saturday, October 3 through Sunday, October 4, 2009, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Enjoy Bloomingdale’s Friends and Family Discount of 20% off all jewelry during this exclusive weekend event. Just click on the link, print out, and bring in to receive 20% off all jewelry during my trunk show…also good for any online purchase at www.bloomingdales.com now through October 4th, 2009.
Current trends in the jewelry industry point to all things green. From nature motifs, to raw gemstones, to all shades of the hue, 2010 trends are reflecting the global consciousness. John S. Brana seems to be slightly ahead of the curve as he premiers his Muir Woods Collection of nature-inspired jewelry to the public at a feature trunk show hosted by Bloomingdale’s – Stanford this October 3 – 4, from 12:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. The Muir Woods collection showcases the designer’s handcrafted jewelry talents in the forms of sculpted tree branches, leaves, flowers, and gemstones in faceted and raw-earth shapes.
Central to the Muir Woods Collection are the interesting handcrafted ring designs featuring beautifully faceted gemstones set in sculpted bronze or sterling silver tree branches. Each branch features bark-like textures and clutch the gemstone as if it were its own secret treasure. The tree branch motif extends into bronze and sterling silver pendants which showcase the raw-earth gemstones that are becoming a very hot trend in the jewelry industry. These stones have not been polished or faceted and present their natural beauty in their original jagged shapes and often opaque clarity. John S. Brana further showcases his metalsmithing talents to create nature-inspired jewelry motifs in his corrugated leaf and origami floral-shaped earrings in 14K gold-filled, sterling silver and copper. Brana enhances the whimsical designs and forest shapes by incorporating brilliant colors through various patination techniques. Emerald greens, brilliant turquoise, fiery reds and oranges, and rustic blacks and browns enhance the leafy shapes of the Muir Woods Collection. Each piece of patinated jewelry appears hand painted with one-of-a-kind color variances as a result of the metallic chemical reaction process used to derive the beautiful hues.
Fold Formed Copper Leaf Earrings with Traditional Green Patina
“I’m very proud of the Muir Woods Collection because it’s completely unique and I’m one of the few jewelry designers experimenting with different patina finishes,” describes Brana. “It was perfect timing for Bloomingdale’s to contact me about a Fall trunk show.” Muir Woods is John S. Brana’s eighth collection of handcrafted jewelry inspired by the neighborhoods and natural areas in and around his home of San Francisco. For more information regarding the Bloomingdale’s – Stanford trunk show, please visit bloomingdales.com and click on the store locator. For more information regarding John S. Brana’s collections, media inquiries and events, please contact Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Promotions by email at info@altitudepromotion.com or call 1.402.490.2579.
Karri Ann Frerichs, PR Director of Altitude Promotions interviews San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana backstage at "Bella Bikini Fashion Show" by Charleston Pierce at Temple nightclub. John discusses his new handcrafted copper patina jewelry collection inspired by the natural beauty of Muir Woods National Park. Earrings, pendants, bangles, and rings feature hues of burnt umber, red bronze, smoky lavender, iridescent greens, and turquoise.
Collections by John S. Brana, handcrafted fine jewelry designer from San Francisco, will be showcased during a weekend trunk show hosted by Bloomingdale’s in the Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. The jewelry event will take place Saturday, October 3 through Sunday, October 4, 2009, from 12:00 p.m. To 5:00 p.m. at the fine jewelry counter. Shoppers will also enjoy Bloomingdale’s Friends and Family Discount of 20% off all jewelry by John S. Brana during this exclusive weekend event.
Brana looks forward to premiering Muir Woods, his latest collection of nature-inspired jewelry, including one-of-a-kind cocktail rings and pendants featuring large carat semi-precious gemstones set in sterling silver and bronze. “It was perfect timing for Bloomingdale’s to contact me about a Fall event. I’m very proud of the Muir Woods Collection because it’s completely unique and I’m one of the few jewelry designers experimenting with different patina finishes,” describes Brana referring to his copper earring designs in various hues of turquoise, green, red, black and orange. Additional jewelry collections available during the event include filigree earrings, dramatic pendants, statement cuffs, cocktail rings, and necklaces layered with semi-precious gemstones.
All fine jewelry designs may be purchased using Bloomingdale’s 20% off Friends and Family discount, and John S. Brana will be present to greet guests and answer all jewelry questions. Event details will be available by visiting www.bloomingdales.com, clicking on the Stores & Events page and choosing the Stanford location.
Karri Ann Frerichs, PR Director of Altitude Promotions interviews San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana backstage at “Bella Bikini Fashion Show” by Charleston Pierce at Temple nightclub. Rich hues of the softest Italian mesh metal ribbon is embellished with precious and semi-precious stones or pearls and is available by the piece or in sets of over 30 different colors. John also describes his process of anticlastic metal raising that he uses to produce beautiful one-of-a-kind Sterling Silver, Copper, and 14K and 18K Gold Cuffs and Earrings.
San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana is interviewed by Karri Ann Frerichs, PR Director of Altitude Promotions backstage at "Bella Bikini Fashion Show" by Charleston Pierce at Temple nightclub. John talks about his Sea Cliff Collection inspired by sea creatures found off the coast of Northern California and introduces the premiere of his Amazonite Jellyfish necklace made especially for this fashion show. The Sea Cliff collection is the perfect way to enjoy the treasures of the ocean everyday.
San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana is interviewed by Karri Ann Frerichs, PR Director of Altitude Promotions backstage at "Bella Bikini Fashion Show" by Charleston Pierce at Temple nightclub. John talks about his festive statement jewelry collection Barbary Coast. Dynamic shapes and countless layers of richly textured semi-precious gemstones define this show stopping statement jewelry collection which also features gold vermeil, 14K gold, 18Kgold, and fine and sterling silver. For those who love a statement piece, the Barbary Coast collection is perfect for those who choose to build an ensemble around their jewelry.
Why should I have my fine jewelry appraised? The most common reason to get a jewelry appraisal is for insurance coverage. A detailed document describing your jewelry and its worth assure you of a comparable replacement in case of loss. Appraisals are generally performed on items valued in excess of $500, or on items that have unusual sentimental value, and are also valuable for when you choose to sell, trade or bequeath your jewelry.
Is my jewelry worth appraising? How can I tell? Putting a limit on the items to be appraised should be determined by the owner, accompanied with the expert knowledge of the appraiser. If you own a piece that you could not afford to replace, and it is something that you wear daily, like a wedding set, diamond stud earrings or a fine watch, then insuring the item is critical.
How often should I update my appraisals? The Insurance Institute of America recommends that jewelry be re-appraised every two years. If you are interested in having your jewelry appraised for free, Smythe & Cross – Purveyors of Precious Jewelry will be holding a Jewelry Appraisal Clinic starting on March 31, 2009 and running through April 2nd, 2009 at their Burlingame, California headquarters.
In addition to having your jewelry appraised, preview collections of fine and diamond jewelry, along with selected pieces of handcrafted fine jewelry by John S. Brana. Smythe & Cross keeps all of your appraisal documents on file, making insurance claims effortless if you ever experience a loss. For more information about this even, please contact Smyth and Cross at 650-995-4292 or via email.