Inspiration for Designer Jewelry

Facted Amber Sterling Silver Tree Branch Ring - Designer Jewelry

Facted Amber Sterling Silver Tree Branch Ring

Designer Jewelry – A Fountain of Inspiration

One only has to look at the wide selection of designer jewelry found in stores all around the world to know that there is a great deal of creativity to be found within the talented individuals in this field. But where does this fountain of ideas come from? Within this profession, the best artisans will look to a variety of sources for inspiration on how to create truly innovative designer jewelry. The ideas are already there. They just have to be sparked by a certain scene, event or emotion first. Afterwards, a first class fashion accessory can be brought to life.

Finding Inspiration for Designer Jewelry in Your Backyard

Despite the fact that most people consider their neighborhood ordinary, the best jewelers show their true creativity by finding sources of inspiration within these local areas. The architecture in some districts can provide a range of design ideas that can then be used to create stunning pieces of jewelry from gold-filled pendants to wire wrapped earrings. This applies whether the buildings are modern or traditional, as creating a structure is just as much an art form as designing and forming an elegant piece of handmade jewelry. Both are great examples of the talent and ingenuity of humankind as a whole.

Copper Lily Pad Earrings with Red Patina

Copper Lily Pad Earrings with Red Patina

Nature – An Abundance of Inspiration for Designer Jewelry

Jewelers who love to travel can find inspiration further afield. Often, this leads to more exotic creations such as copper leaf earrings and coral bracelets. Of course, these ideas come from a range of sources as the world is full of breathtaking sights. Nature provides a lot of these, as mountains, oceans and plains are all beautiful scenes that can inspire a master jeweler to create a number of new designs. As well as this, the different cultures and people found around the world are also a fountain of ideas that can be used to create unique pieces of jewelry.

Finally, the best artisans will form their range of designer handmade jewelry from ideas that spring from within, drawing from experiences and emotions to create a range of items that most people will admire. These pieces are very personal as each contains a part of the craftsman’s past and inner psyche. This is how the best jewelry is often made as the creator desires the final product to be perfect. After all, rings, necklaces and bracelets inspired from mental and spiritual sources will need to properly reflect the character, thoughts and soul of the jeweler as he or she wishes.

Of course, a combination of all of these sources will create a more diverse range of jewelry, so it is not surprising that the best craftsmen are always on the lookout for inspiration no matter where they are. The spark can come at any time and so a jeweler must be aware of their surroundings to take advantage of any new ideas that suddenly pop into mind. Through this, they will be able to create a selection of earrings, bracelets and pendants that will be completely unique in this world and that will be snapped up by designer jewelry lovers worldwide.

Recommended Reading

Copper Leaf Earrings – October 2010 Jewelry Freebie

Fold Formed Leaf Earrings

Fold Formed Leaf Earrings

For October, win these beautiful Copper Leaf earrings by entering your email address on any pop-up hang-tag that appears on www.johnsbrana.com or on the entry form below. 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!

Click here to see the contest rules.

Congrats to our August 2010 Jewelry Freebie Winner -Nancy Hanson of Boulder Colorado !!

Recommended Reading

Design Styles in Handmade Jewelry

Fold Formed Copper Leaf Earrings with Traditional Green Patina - Organic Jewelry

Fold Formed Copper Leaf Earrings with Traditional Green Patina

Organic Jewelry vs Geometric Jewelry

The world of jewelry is truly diverse thanks to the range of artistic talent out there. When studying the many items available these days, it becomes clear that there are two major design styles in the jewelry world: organic and geometric. Both of these can be used to enhance the appearance in different ways.

Organic Jewelry

Organic jewelry is typically made from natural products such as bone, shells or wood. It can also be created using irregular gemstones such as coral or pearls or by shaping different metals into organic patterns. Jewelers use these materials, along with some inspiration from various natural settings, to design their stunning organic jewelry collections.

Aluminum Brass Small Circle Earrings with Onyx

Aluminum Brass Small Circle Earrings with Onyx

Geometric Jewelry

Geometric jewelry is the polar opposite of their organic counterparts. Made with regular shapes ranging from simple cubes and spheres to the more complex gemstone cuts, these items scream out to the world that man definitely was responsible for creating objects of this beauty. They can be just as stunning, if not more so, than organic jewelry depending on the situation.

Natural-looking items combining irregular shapes with organic colors exude a very casual feel. These pieces of organic jewelry are great for taking the edge off formal attire or making a playful dress or top even more colorful. Natural materials such as coral and Keishi pearls are completely unique in their appearance, so that jewelry such as the Carnelian necklaces from John S. Brana are one-of-a-kind.

As can be expected, geometric jewelry is better suited for plain or formal clothing. They provide the wearer with a look of elegance and style that would not be out of place in a high-class dinner or at a night at the opera. This type of jewelry is also great to bring out at big occasions such as proposals, weddings and anniversaries.

Recommended Reading

Unique Handmade Copper Jewelry

Handmade Copper Leaf Earrings with Blue Patina

Copper Leaf Earrings with Blue Patina

The Beauty of Handmade Copper Jewelry

Copper jewelry has been worn for hundreds of years, partly for health reasons as some believe that it enhances good circulation and eases the symptoms of arthritis. While those claims have not been scientifically verified, copper has been shown to possess antimicrobial properties (helping to keep away germs and illness). Still, it is more likely that the continued popularity of copper jewelry has more to do with its unique luster and color than it does with its germ-fighting ability!

Copper jewelry is often sought after by those who like an earthy, ethnic look but more and more it can also be found making an appearance among the collections of high end jewelry designers. It offers an affordable alternative to pricier rose gold due to its lovely pinkish hue when copper is at its most natural state. The warmth of copper also makes a pleasing contrast alongside silver’s cool tones.

Fold Formed Corrugated Disc Copper Earrings

Fold Formed Corrugated Copper Large Disc Earrings

Versatility of Copper Jewelry

Many artisans also enjoy working with this metal due to its durability and versatility. Over time, oxidation can cause unpolished copper to darken to a warm brown color which often enhances the look of jewelry pieces. Additionally, exposure to the elements causes untreated copper to form a bluish-green patina that is often coveted by those who appreciate a distinctive look. Talented jewelry designers use this natural discoloration of copper to create unique and innovative patterns and designs.

Uncoated bright copper jewelry can tarnish over time but can be easily restored to its original state. You can purchase commercial cleaning cloths or dip your jewelry in a bath of warm water, a few drops of lemon juice and some salt. Dry with a soft cloth and the original warmth and beauty of your pieces will quickly return. Note: silver polish should not be used on copper jewelry as it is abrasive and can mar the finish.

Handmade copper jewelry by John Brana uses a special process to produce a unique mottled patina in varying shades of blue, green, brown and black in other pieces among his extensive collection of copper jewelry. These pieces are also coated with a protective lacquer that prevents tarnish and stops the jewelry from staining the skin.

Recommended Reading

Handcrafted Fine Jewelry by John S. Brana now available in SoHo, New York

Item New York - 444 Broome St - New York City

Item New York - 444 Broome St - New York City

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

Fold Formed Corrugated Copper Leaf Earrings

Maroon Copper Patinated 2 inch Lilypad Earrings

Large Carat Citrine 14k Gold Filled Cocktail Ring

Recommended Reading

“Muir Woods” Nature-Inspired Jewelry Collection is On Target for 2010 Jewelry Trends

Faceted Citrine Bronze Cocktail Ring

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

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.

Recommended Reading