Handcrafted Jewelry Designer John S. Brana Showcases Stackable Rings for Designers by the Bay Event Hosted by Shreve & Co.

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 13^th 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.

Handcrafted Silver Jewelry – Meant to Last a Lifetime

Many people shy away from silver jewelry for many reasons. For some, it’s because silver loses its luster over time. For others, they think of silver as simply inferior to gold. Neither of these statements are true if the silver utilized is fine silver. Handcrafted silver jewelry made using fine silver, rather than sterling silver – will last a lifetime without much attention.

At first glance, sterling silver and fine silver might appear almost identical. In reality, though, handcrafted fine silver jewelry is different in one critical way…it doesn’t tarnish over time.  This is due to its lack of copper, as opposed to Sterling Silver, which is an alloy of 7.5% Copper and 92.5% Silver.  Through the hammering process, Fine Silver becomes just as strong as Sterling, so that Fine Silver can last you a lifetime, and be passed on to future generations with pride and effortless care.

Jewelry that is handcrafted using fine silver is some of the most superior on the market. Not only has the metal itself gone through the hands of a caring craftsman, but the piece of jewelry has been designed and put together by someone who is a true artisan. There is no manufacturing process in this type of jewelry. The designs are original, the production is one at a time, and the work is done with pride and love.

When buying a piece of handcrafted silver jewelry, always insist on fine silver to ensure your piece will last and remain in its beautiful, original state for more than just a few years.

 

Click Here To Find Handcrafted Silver Jewelry

 

Handmade Sterling Silver Jewelry: A Gift for Anyone

Some of the most beautiful, yet affordable, pieces of jewelry you can find are made of Sterling Silver. Handmade Sterling Silver jewelry can be worn with nearly any style of clothing, to any occasion, and can be worn year-round. No one would turn down a gift of Sterling Silver jewelry. Sterling Silver refers to silver that is .925 pure. Unless pure silver is hammered, it is usually too soft for most jewelry applications. The derivation of the term, “Sterling Silver” is not agreed upon by experts. Some historians say that it refers to the British “pound Sterling”, while others say that Sterling Silver originally was developed in Sterlingshire, Scotland. Sterlingshire had a large silver mine, and because of this, most historians believe this derivation to be true. In addition, there are several other theories as to why silver that is .925 pure is called Sterling.

However, handmade sterling silver jewelry is more than just the silver itself. Silver is a difficult metal to work with and a jeweler who works with Sterling Silver must be a master craftsman. Silver jewelry is often intricate and exquisite, reflecting the personality of the wearer.

When purchasing handmade sterling silver jewelry, especially if it’s a gift, make sure that the silver used is, in fact, solid Sterling Silver. Many low priced, massed produced jewelry (especially those made overseas) are actually plated silver jewelry, even though they are marked .925.  Plated Silver (sometimes referred to as Overlay or Technibond) is electroplated silver over a base pot metal (usually tin, aluminum, or zinc), and thus, is not solid Sterling Silver.  Not only will plated silver jewelry quickly tarnish, the plate commonly wears off and also might cause allergic reactions. On the other hand, Sterling Silver may tarnish over time, but will wear well, day in and day out with little care. Many low-end jewelers or craftsman will sell anything with a silver color and tell you that it is sterling silver. Remember, “You get what you pay for”, so if a piece of jewelry appears to be under-priced, beware. Establishing a trusted relationship with your local jeweler or jewelry designer is well worth your effort.  A good piece of handmade sterling silver jewelry will reflect the work in its price, and any quality piece is worth paying for.  

 

Click Here To Find Handmade Sterling Silver Jewelry

There’s Something About Fine Silver Jewelry

Fine jewelry silver is actually pure silver or 99% silver.  Sterling silver, on the other hand, is an alloy of 92.5% silver mixed with 7.5% copper.   Pure silver is usually too malleable to be used in jewelry, unless it is hammered or tumbled to "work harden" the silver to a point where it is just as strong as Sterling Silver.  The advantage of Fine Silver, is that it does not tarnish, making care of fine silver jewelry effortless.

Silver and gold are the two most well-known, and popular, precious metals used in creating fine jewelry. Fine jewelry silver is less expensive than gold, which makes it more popular for that reason alone. Many people also prefer the color and look of silver over gold.  Gold is typically thought of a warm, friendly color, while silver is more cool and distinguished.

Fine silver jewelry is crafted for both men and women. For men, it consists of cufflinks – the one fashion accessory women have never needed. Then there are bracelets, necklaces and pendants, and rings.   As with any fine fashion accessory, many famous designers work in the fine silver jewelry field. Their creations are offered at many fine jewelry stores, although unfortunately the current economic climate has seen the closing down of many of those stores. Nowadays, many designers have websites that showcase their creations.

Fine silver jewelry has been crafted for over a thousand years, so in addition to new pieces, many fabulous classic and antique pieces are available for purchase…at antique stores or on Ebay, for example. It’s all a matter of finding a particular design or designs that you like.  If you love fine silver jewelry, you’ll want to educate yourself as to its history. The evolution of the history of design and of the famous designers of all time make enjoyable reading, and will enable you to fully appreciate the craft that goes into the pieces you now enjoy.
 

Click Here To Get Your Hands On Fine Jewelry Silver Designs

A Look at Silver Jewelry Designs

How does an artist design a piece of jewelry? Where does the inspiration come from? How is the initial look decided upon? How is the piece crafted once it’s design is final?

Well, let’s take a look at how silver jewelry is designed and find out.

A smart jewelry designer will make no piece of jewelry until its design is finalized. The process starts out by creating a series of sketches of the piece, from all angles, taking into consideration how it will be clasped to a wrist or neck to make sure proper fit.  Much of this is learned over time, through trial and error.

The next step is actually creating the piece.  At this point, the jewelry designer must be knowledgeable in a variety of technical skills, commonly referred to as metalsmithing.  Once the type of metal is selected, the piece can be cast, fabricated, or cold connected (riveted, wire wrapped), and then embellished with surface texture and/or gemstones.

Different types of metal vary in softness and malleability – gold and silver are both relatively easy to work with, gold more so than silver.  It pays to be skilled in the basics before tackling a project with either, especially high-priced gold.  You can always take a class at your local adult education institute, or even watch videos on the internet which show you how.  These videos are of course educational, but when it actually comes to working with metal, you need to have a workroom filled with all the necessary tools, and be willing to practice, practice, practice.  Most large cities will have jewelry studios available for rent so that you can "test the waters" before investing in equipment.

Why work in silver instead of gold or platinum? Well, because silver is so much less expensive!  Never buy gold jewelry because it’s a good "investment."  You will always loose on both ends – the buy and sell.    With gold prices fluctuating erratically, why not choose silver jewelry as an option?  Not only are you getting a one-of-a-kind vision of the artist, but you don’t have to worry about where gold is going next!

 

Click Here For MORE Silver Jewelry Designs

Men’s Silver Jewelry – Definitely For Everyone

Some people like gold jewelry, and some people like silver. It all depends on if you like the warmth of gold, or the coolness of silver. If you’re a woman or a  man, silver jewelry may very well be your thing.  Silver and gold are the two main metals that have been used for jewelry since jewelry first started being worn!

Silver jewelry is actually made from "sterling silver", which is an alloy consisting of 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper. That’s because silver, like gold, is too soft in its normal state to be used – it is too easily deformed. Sterling silver is harder than pure silver. (When it comes to "hallmark quality" silverware, Britannia silver is used – that consists of 95.8% silver).  Sterling silver is also sometimes "flashed." That means, its plated with a thin coat of .999 fine silver to give it a shiny finish.
 
When people think of jewelry, they usually associate jewelry being just for women, but for a man, silver jewelry has recently taken off. Silver bracelets, cufflinks, necklaces, and rings are all very popular.  Although silver jewelry is made for both men and women, typically, jewelry aimed at men is more "masculine."   Not only is it larger in diameter (to accommodate larger wrists and fingers), but also it’s more massive and sturdy.

Many elite jewelers craft designs for the male market. Hand-crafted designs are the most elegant and unique, while mass-market jewelry – made from lesser materials (usually stainless steel and plated brass) – are available as well.  Guys want to wear unique silver jewelry for the same reasons that women do:  to get noticed, to be confident, and to be unique.

 

Click Here To Get Your Hands On Lots Of Man Silver Jewelry

The Skinny on Designer Handmade Jewelry

What’s the difference between manufactured jewelry and designer handmade jewelry? Well, for starters, mass-market manufactured jewelry is obviously going to be cheaper, usually of lower quality, and also lacks uniqueness and creativity. Have you ever purchased a piece of mass market manufactured jewelry, gone to a party, and seen several other women wearing a similar piece of jewelry?

This definitely won’t be the case if you purchase designer handmade jewelry.  Chances are you have a unique piece, or one of only a number of limited edition pieces, and you’ll never have to worry about bumping into someone at a party and seeing that same piece of jewelry on another woman’s wrist or around her neck.

Mass market jewelry is stuff that’s stamped out by the thousands, with little or no human contact.  Designer handmade jewelry, on the other hand…is  something totally different. Of course it’s going to cost a little more, but you can be assured that when a designer hallmarks their handmade jewelry, they are guaranteeing you a certain level of quality and trust.  The designer’s name, brand, and reputation are on the line.  This seldom occurs in mass manufactured jewelry. 

Handmade jewelry is also much more labor intensive.  Numerous hours can go into creating, designing, and fabricating a single piece of jewelry, and that’s why the cost for designer handmade jewelry is usually higher than mass produced pieces. 

Maintenance of your designer handmade jewelry is relatively easy.  Over time, your silver jewelry will tarnish due to the copper content in Sterling Silver. There are several commercial products you can purchase at your local drug store or hardware store that will restore your silver to a sparkling shine.   The most versatile is a polishing cloth or rouge cloth that can be used on gold, silver, and copper jewelry.  For those more intricate silver pieces like filigree or chain, all you need is baking soda.  First, make sure you do this in a well ventilated area.  Place the chain in an aluminum pan, and cover thoroughly with baking soda. Then, pour boiling water, slowly,  into the pan.   A chemical reaction will occur and the tarnish will be removed.  Copper jewelry can be easily cleaned with these cleaning methods.  One of the added benefits of buying designer jewelry is that most designers offer cleaning services.  Customers of John S. Brana – Handcrafted Fine Jewelry can send their jewelry in at anytime for a free cleaning.

 

Click Here To Get Your Hands On Designer Handmade Jewelry

Who Knew Handcrafted Jewelry Could Be So…Interactive?

For more information and to view all jewelry styles please visit:

 

 

 

 

Scarf Rings – New Product Release by John S. Brana Fine Handcrafted Jewelry

Sometimes I’m amazed at how events develop.  Late last month, I was having lunch with an old friend/co-worker from my corporate days at Charles Schwab.  He mentioned to me how his wife was going on about scarf rings for Christmas gifts.  She had just returned from Europe where they were all the rage…something I had really never thought about designing.  Within the next week, I had a joint gallery opening with abstract photographer and silk wear designer Klaus Lange at The ArtPeople Gallery here in San Francisco.  So I put two and two together, and knocked out some scarf rings to accompany Klaus’ silk scarves.  The artists reception was on Nov 6^th, and the scarf rings were a home run!  Not bad for a 10 day turnaround.

Below are pictures of my two current scarf ring designs in Copper and Sterling Silver, along with some of the exhibition photos.  Over the next few months, I’ll be working on more designs in Vermeil and Bronze, so stay tuned…. 

 

 

Chased Copper Scarf Ring

Red Wheat Silk Chiffon Scarf by Klaus Lange

 

Chased Sterling Silver Scarf Ring

Surfer Dude Chiffon Scarf by Klaus Lange

 

 

 

Given Boutique Will be the First San Francisco Retailer to Carry John S. Brana – Distinctive Men’s Jewelry Collection

Selections from John S. Brana’s men’s jewelry collections as well as several women’s jewelry pieces are now available at GIVEN, 575 Castro Street, San Francisco. This Castro neighborhood lifestyle boutique is a local favorite for art, home accessories, and, of course, contemporary jewelry. Customers will enjoy unique textures in fine silver jewelry sets including rings, pendants, bracelets and cufflinks from John S. Brana’s Reptile, Redwood and Tonga men’s collections.

“John Brana’s jewelry is a perfect fit at GIVEN,” said Nick Romero, owner of Given which is in its second year of business. “All the work by our store artists share a common theme: creativity, beauty and just a hint of the unexpected combined with unmistakable quality. John’s jewelry has all of these aspects in abundance!" San Franciscans may best know this boutique location as the former camera store and recent set of Milk, a documentary of the 1970’s gay and civil rights activist, Harvey Milk.   Romero was most drawn to the raw, geometric texture found in Brana’s Tonga collection of fine silver chunky bracelets, cufflinks, rings and pendants. In addition to eight different men’s styles, GIVEN will also sell several women’s jewelry pieces including a chased link necklace, bracelet and earrings in 14K gold-filled and two hand-sculpted copper cuffs. 

John S. Brana began crafting his jewelry collections by hand in his West Portal studio overlooking the Pacific Ocean after leaving a career as vice president of finance for the Charles Schwab Corporation in 2003,. Brana’s creative influences come directly from neighborhoods in and around San Francisco, including Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Seacliff and Sonoma. To view all styles available 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.

 

 

Introducing the Distinctive Nob Hill Collection by John S. Brana

When was the last time you strolled along California Street and climbed the steps of Mason? Or, if you don’t live in our fair city of San Francisco, when have you last enjoyed the nostalgic architecture of those neighborhoods built around the turn of twentieth century? Do you notice that bricks are no longer laid in those patterns, or that columns today aren’t poured in such grand stature but with such intricate detail?

That was a time when we didn’t have to remind ourselves to stop and smell the roses. We appreciated craftsmanship and weren’t distracted by technology. With this in mind, John S. Brana sought to capture the elaborate scrolls and turbulent twists of the grill work on entrance gates that dot the neighborly streets of San Francisco’s famous Nob Hill. This is the collection of that not yet lost, but very intimate detail.

 

After twisting three tiny pure silver or 14 karat gold wires then running them through a rolling machine, John sculpts the inner tendrils into a paired perfection. No two sets are exactly the same. Each design is then encased by a sturdy barrier of flat or half-round sterling silver or 14 karat gold. Dangling a pair from you ears is a delicate daily reminder that if you can’t stop to smell the roses, you can at least take them with you. Necklaces and bracelets are coming soon. Enjoy life’s beautiful amenities!

 

Karri Ann Frerichs

Altitude Promotions

 

 

New Fabricated Jellyfish Earrings

Here are two new variations I have been working on to compliment my Jellyfish earring designs. Both earrings were fabricated using Sterling Silver and Fine Silver. Please let me know what you think!

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