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.
February 2010 – Issue #34 – “Copper in the Arts,” on Copper.org features contemporary copper jewelry designs by jewelry designer John S. Brana. Contributing writer Rebecca Troutman discusses the allure of John S. Brana’s copper jewelry designs…
Handmade Texturized Anticlastic Copper Bracelet
“Brana loves to feature nontraditional metals, his most recent collection thrusting copper and aluminum in the spotlight. His designs are flirtatious and intricate, often with elegant geometric textural elements and clean curves. His new line, named after the South of Market district, “SoMa,” is inspired by the curved angles of the architecture and the “opulent gold rush period” of its heyday.
Not many other jewelry designers value the unique abilities of copper the way Brana does. In a contemporary jewelry industry founded on the classic value of semi-precious metals and gemstones, his choice of materials like copper, bronze and aluminum is giving a new sheen to the high end jewelry industry. “ Read the entire story on Copper.org
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!
Amethyst is considered one of the most beautiful varieties of quartz, if not the most beautiful. Known as the spirituality gemstone, amethyst expresses the connection between the divine and spiritual side, stimulating clairvoyance. It has a very strong protective role. Amethyst is found mainly in Brazil.
This gemstone is considered a symbol of success, because it stimulates and amplifies intellectual abilities, intuition, self confidence, concentration and spiritual capacities. At the same time, it reduces anger, impatience, nightmares, stress, nervousness, depression, improving communication between people.
Known as a gemstone of power, amethyst has a calming effect on the nervous system, fighting against insomnia. Anybody can place an amethyst crystal under the pillow to have pleasant dreams.
Amethyst fights against addictions (tobacco, alcohol, food), insomnia (it is a cure used for snoring), headaches, allergies, acne, migraines and back pain. Some people claim that this gemstone has beneficial effects on stomach, central nervous system, digestive and endocrine system, eyes and hair. It balances blood sugar and regenerates the entire body.
Crystals of amethyst purify and transform lower energies into higher energies, having a relaxing effect. They are recommended for meditation.
14K Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Pendant with Tear Drop Amethyst
Greeks believe that this gemstone brings love and happiness, while medieval soldiers wore amethyst amulets in battles. If your problems in love are deep, then you need this healing crystal, which will purify your inner energies, balancing your life. Amethyst is known for its power to support major changes in life, whether it’s about an intentional change or a painful experience like a breakup or a divorce. It will bring you inner peace and the power to forget and to forgive.
Also, amethyst is used by people who have passed through experiences that have made them feel victimized by a strong and impulsive personality. By wearing such a natural crystal, you will attract positive energies that will help you to receive and offer love. Meditate on your own desires and decide to accept love in your life, supported by the energetic power of crystals.
Amethyst is a perfect gemstone for those born in the month of February. Shop these handcrafted jewelry designs by jewelry designer John S. Brana featuring February’s birthstone Amethyst.
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.
There are actually two January birthstones; Garnet and Rose Quartz. However, most people only recognize Garnet on a wide scale. The word Garnet is derived from Latin which means grain or seed; “granatus”, and it was therefore called thanks to the striking deep red of the gem being so incredibly close to that found in the seeds of pomegranates. However, with a Mohs scale hardness of 6. 5 to 7. 5; biting down a Garnet can not be quite the same sensation as you get from the fruit’s seed!
But, many are stunned that Garnet can additionally be found in colours other than red; and some exquisite gems are available in greens, oranges, pinks and violets. These changes in color are caused by the mineral content contained in the gem; these are rarer still than the already obscure red Garnet.
There are a myriad of legends, myths and folklore that surround the Garnet; crossing scores of cultures and eras. In Biblical myth for instance, it is suggested that Noah hung a Garnet on his Ark, so as he may illuminate his journey during the storms.
Probably due to this, and alternate stories in lore, the gift of a Garnet is usually given to hurry home safely a loved one, who is undertaking a journey. Because of its deep red color, it’s also highly symbolic of love and desire; and is usually given to January born loved ones by their partner.
Records show that it’s been mined for at least 2500 years, though not invariably for its delicate nature; often being employed as a tool such due to its hardness. Whilst traces of this mining were found in Sri Lanka, the Garnet is found in several places across the world including; Africa, India and the United States of America.
The other of the January Birth Stones is the beautiful Rose Quartz that, because the name suggests, ranges from a fragile pale pink, to sorts which deepen up to the hue of a red rose. The colors of the gem are caused by trace amounts of titanium and iron, and in some specimens manganese.
Usually, the value of Rose Quartz is thought by many to make inadequate gems, and certainly can be cloudy. However there are exceptional items found and they’re typically carved into wonderful hearts; making for a fantastic gift for loved ones.
Despite not being widely fashionable, it is reputed to be one of the most powerful semi precious stones in the world. It is said to hold many healing powers, with the power to help bring calm, and balance emotions at times of stress, anxiety and even guilt.
Whilst Rose Quartz is found across the planet, from Asia to Europe and on to Northern America; it’s principally mined in Brazil these days. Brazil has also long been the producer of the finest examples, and, in the proper setting, will create a wonderful various when looking for January birthstones.
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.
