Frerichs | Handmade Jewelry Blog by Jewelry Designer John S Brana

Handcrafted Fine Jewelry by John S Brana Accessorizes Photoshoot by San Francisco Photographer Tony Maesto

April 19, 2009 By John S. Brana 6 Comments

Handcrafted geometric copper and sterling silver links from John S. Brana’s SOMA Collection accentuate the voluminous black lace layers of this high-neck, corset-back top from Revelation by M.E. When wearing an ensemble of all-black, or any other solid neutral color, create dimension and define a focal point with a dramatic statement necklace. This latest fashion trend of 2009 remains a classic look and may be updated each season with vibrant gemstones, geometric shapes, mix-matched metals, and varying textures. Browse through statement necklaces by John S. Brana to complete your look today!

Photographer – Tony Maesto

Wardrobe Stylist – Karri Ann Frerichs

Lace Top – Revelation by M.E.

Make Up – Rita Brown, Shu Uemura

Hair – William Soriano, W’s Salon – Santana Row

Who Knew Handcrafted Jewelry Could Be So…Interactive?

January 15, 2009 By John S. Brana 6 Comments

Always an innovator, John S. Brana launched three new websites this month and even gave a sleek new face lift to his home site, www.johnsbrana.com. Each new site targets a specific customer based on their desire for gold, silver, or copper jewelry and features search and comparison features unparalleled to any handcrafted artisan in the industry. See for yourself at www.handcrafted-gold-jewelry.com, www.handmade-silver-jewelry.com, and www.handmadecopperjewelry.com .

Jewelry buyers may now perform side-by-side comparisons on any number of their favorite pieces to determine just the right style, texture, gemstone, size and price. Visitors may participate in a live community poll to tell the designer specific preferences such as their favorite gemstone, karat or quality of gold, and type of earring they prefer. Those with the most discerning tastes can find exactly what they are looking for by narrowing their search, and if you just can’t decide, customers can add their favorite items to a wish list and be notified if those items go on sale through various RSS Feeds.

"After seeing the fashion and jewelry industries suffer this holiday season, I decided I would make it easier for customers seeking handcrafted fine jewelry to find me," says Brana of his business strategies. "And when they do find me, I want to be sure I’m giving them the styles they want." Brana is known for his handcrafted jewelry designs inspired by the landscapes of San Francisco and has been consistently experimenting with new textures, such as embossing, or adding new layers to his metallic collection of "SOMA" jewelry. New styles are available online now.

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

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.

Muir Woods Sterling Silver and Aluminum Jewelry

January 3, 2009 By jbrana Leave a Comment

Karri Ann Frerichs introduces Muir Woods Sterling Silver and Aluminum jewelry by jewelry designer John S. Brana. Uniquely designed leaf earrings inspired by Muir Woods handcrafted in a wide variety of sleek and contemporary styles.

John S Brana Expands Fine Jewelry Collection Exclusively for Designers by the Bay event hosted by Shreve & Co.

August 14, 2008 By John S. Brana 4 Comments

John S. Brana is introducing to his collection new fine jewelry designs in 14K, 18K gold, and fine silver exclusively for the 12^th Annual Designers by the Bay and Fine Jewelry Showcase, Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The most exciting creations include stunning cuffs in 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 first time exhibitor, I definitely wanted to bring stand-out pieces” said Brana who is best known by his clients for meticulous attention to handcrafted details in the bridge jewelry category. Brana has always worked with fine and sterling silver, bronze, copper, and semi-precious gemstones, and has embellished several designs with 14K and 18K gold. This event, however, serves to unveil his first fine jewelry collection including major creations using 18K gold.

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.

New Jewelry Designs Exclusively for Designers by the Bay

Savvy Summer Style… Entertaining with Wine, Bloomingdale’s San Francisco – May 14, 2008

May 28, 2008 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Handcrafted jewelry designer, John S. Brana enjoyed an entertaining evening with his publicist, Karri Ann Frerichs of Altitude Promotions, and fellow fine accessory designer, Klaus Lange while mingling with other wine enthusiasts at Bloomingdale’s in San Francisco, May 14^th. This event was hosted by celebrity event styling expert, Wendy Creed and St. Francis Winery sommelier, Chris Silva.

Brana, Frerichs and Lange were treated to a sampling of summer dishes prepared by Bloomingdales while event stylist Wendy Creed described interesting ways to entertain summer guests with her A-list event secrets. Silva, St. Francis Winery sommelier, explained just how to pair wines with each dish and how to bring forth the many flavors present in each glass. The event concluded with a Bloomingdale’s tour of specific set designs created by Creed for the event ideas described to the guests.

John S Brana and Kerri Ann Frerichs

John S. Brana and Karri Ann Frerichs

Karri Ann Frerichs accessorized her look especially for this event with a wine-inspired amber and silver chainmail necklace and bracelet from Brana’s “Sonoma” collection. She also wore “Foothills,” a 100% silk chiffon scarf designed by Klaus Lange from his Art2Couture Limited Edition silkwear collection.

Klaus Lange and Kerri Ann Frerichs
Klaus Lange and Karri Ann Frerichs

John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry – Now Available at Art People in the Crocker Galleria, San Francisco

May 21, 2008 By John S. Brana 4 Comments

Art People - Fine Art Gallery - Crocker Galleria, San Francisco CA

John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry is now available for purchase at Art People, 50 Post Street Suite 41, on the second floor of the Crocker Galleria. Handcrafted designs from each of Brana’s seven women’s jewelry collections, all inspired by eclectic San Francisco themes, are showcased. Art People is the forth bay area gallery or retailer to carry Brana’s 14K-18K gold, silver, copper and gemstone jewelry collections.

Art People hosts monthly art and wine tasting parties open to the public where guests may enjoy creations from resident artists, including John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry. The next party will be held Wednesday, May 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Brana will also be featured as the artist of the month later this year. Opening reception information will be announced soon.

Among the nearly 40 one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces available in the gallery, selections from the Barbary Coast, Sonoma, Seacliff and SoMa collections are exhibited in Art People’s storefront window. Additional collections available include Monterey Italian mesh jewelry, Pacific Heights gemstone jewelry and Nob Hill filigree jewelry. Necklaces, cuffs, earrings, rings and bracelets are available for purchase.

To view each of John S. Brana’s – Distinctive Jewelry collections, visit www.johnsbrana.com.

For upcoming events and media requests, please contact Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Promotions, at karriann@altitudepromotion.com or 402.490.2579

Barbary Coast, Sea Cliff, and SoMa Colleciton in front window of Art People Gallery in the Crocker Galleria, San Francisco, CA