Jewelry Collections | Handmade Jewelry Blog by Jewelry Designer John S Brana

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

August 13, 2008 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

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.

John S. Brana Will Showcase New Fine Jewelry Designs at Designers by the Bay Event Hosted by Shreve & Co.

July 26, 2008 By John S. Brana 1 Comment

John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry will feature his handcrafted fine jewelry collections at the 12^th Annual Designers by the Bay and Fine Jewelry Showcase. This event will take place Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at Shreve & Co., 200 Post Street, San Francisco. More than 200 expected guests will be the first to see John S. Brana’s latest creations in silver and 14K-18K gold.

“Being the premier fine jewelry event in Northern California, I am honored to be given the opportunity to exhibit my designs at such a prestigious event,” said Brana who will showcase for the first time at this event presented by the Women’s Jewelry Association, Northern California Chapter. Guests will enjoy Brana’s latest designs including large carat gemstone solitaire rings set in hand-sculpted and hammered silver and 18K gold from his SoMa and Pacific Heights Collections. Delicate filigree earrings, dramatic sculpted and anticlastic cuffs and new designs in 18K gold wire-work pendants set with large solo gemstones will also be featured.

The continual growth of Designers by the Bay has lent it the reputation for being the premier fine jewelry event in Northern California. More than 20 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.

John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry enhances popular SoMa Collection of hammered jewelry with rings and incorporates 14K gold

July 8, 2008 By John S. Brana 2 Comments

Of John S. Brana’s eight distinctive jewelry collections, SoMa is the most contemporary and has been worn by celebrities including Natasha Bedingfield and Janice Dickinson. This collection includes hammered link necklaces and earrings, as well as his unique copper collection, and will now include 14K and 18K gold designs and rings set with solitaire gemstones.

Until now, Brana’s only ring designs were elaborate cocktail rings with intricate wire settings from his Pacific Heights Collection and enchanting sea creatures cast in sterling silver from his Seacliff Collection. The new SoMa ring designs are simple and geometric and will feature 8+ carat gemstones encased in hammered sterling silver, 14K gold, or bronze. Available gemstones include green-gold quartz, blue topaz, opal, amethyst, green amethyst, and citrine…just to name a few. The designs are clean and understated yet remain true to Brana’s signature stand-out-from-the-crowd jewelry characteristics. Brana will also release designs in 14K and 18K yellow, rose and green golds which were previously only available in sterling and fine silver, 14K gold-filled and copper. Look for hammered and chased geometric link designs, several of which will be set with semi-precious gemstones.

John S. Brana resides in San Francisco where he handcrafts his eight distinctive jewelry collections inspired by neighborhoods in and around San Francisco. Each collection is as diverse as its namesake and includes:

Barbary Coast- a dramatic and colorful display of layering semiprecious gemstones

Monterrey- brightly colored Italian mesh metal intertwined through hammered silver

Nob Hill – delicate filigree wire earrings inspired by Victorian architecture

Pacific Heights- large faceted solo gemstones encased in 14K gold-filled and sterling silver settings

Sea Cliff- surprisingly elegant life-like art pieces of metal-casted marine elements

Sonoma- chainmail jewelry dripping with berry-like, cascading stones

And the Men’s silver-cast jewelry collection featuring cuff-links, bold rings, textured pendants and minimalist silver bracelets.

To view each of the John S. Brana- Distinctive Jewelry collections visit www.johnsbrana.com. For wholesale information and media requests, please contact Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Promotions at karriann@altitudepromotion.com or 402.490.2579.

New Jewelry – SoMa Collection

Fall in Line…with Distinctive Jewelry This Season

June 5, 2008 By John S. Brana 4 Comments

Jewelry collections by John S. Brana are on target with the Fall 2008 Ready-to-Wear designer runways.

The Fall 2008 season is characterized by gray being the new black…again, the maxi dress in bold patterns and red-carpet glamour, and rich textured fabrics ruched, frayed and displayed in origami folds. Not to be overlooked however, chunky beaded necklaces, jeweled teardrop earrings and undeniable cuffs all played strong supporting roles in collections of main fashion houses. Iconic designers including Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, John Galliano and Yves St. Laurent each showcased standout jewelry pieces, whose themes may be interpreted in the eclectic jewelry collections of John S. Brana.

A true talent for combining colors and textures has always been present in several of Brana’s San Francisco-inspired collections, including Barbary Coast and Monterey. This upcoming season, feel free to lighten up a classic turtleneck tucked into belted trousers as a solid black or gray ensemble with a chunky gemstone necklace in a tri-tone color scheme. Choose your favorite of these colors and complete the look with a matching clutch and pair of heels and you are ready for the office or a lunch meeting.

A simpler, but just as dynamic, alternative to the chunky necklace is the large pendant. Get ready for the night in your knockout maxi gown by drawing the eye to your low, flirty neckline with a stunning solo gemstone set in an intricate wire setting. Brana’s Pacific Heights collection embodies the statement of luxury you want to make. Adorn you fingers (gloved or bare) in an over-the-top cocktail ring sure to leave a lasting impression. Brana personally selects each gemstone for shape, carat and clarity before creating an elaborate setting unique to each piece.

Browse the Seacliff and SoMa collections for the perfect silver or copper cuff sculpted and hammered exclusively by Brana himself. A subtle texture in your favorite blazer, lace blouse or little black dress is easily enhanced when paired with an anticlastic handcrafted cuff. Finish with the delicate touch of hammered link earrings in fine silver, gold or copper. This style remains contemporary and understated but will continue to draw compliments to your discerning taste.

To view each of John S. Brana’s collections, visit www.johnsbrana.com. For wholesale, event and media inquiries contact Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Promotions at karri.altitude@gmail.com or 402.490.2479.

Guests enjoy wine while browsing art including jewelry by John S. Brana at Art People Gallery – May 28

May 29, 2008 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Over 50 guests attended a wine tasting event featuring three boutique wineries from Napa Valley and one Italian wine distributor held at the intimate gallery space of Art People in the Crocker Galleria, San Francisco. Many of the current exhibiting artists were present to showcase their creations including John S. Brana, whose distinctive handcrafted jewelry creations drew attention from attendees and fellow artists alike. Artful jewelry pieces from each of Brana’s seven women’s jewelry collections, all inspired by areas in and around San Francisco, were displayed.

Two Curious Onlookers Browse Jewelry by John S. Brana

Guests were particularly drawn to selections from the Monterey collection, including a pair of teardrop-shaped earrings made of fine silver and wrapped in an olive green Italian metal mesh, priced especially for Art People clients at $95. Many women also enjoyed slipping dazzling gemstone cocktail rings from the Pacific Heights collection onto their fingers. “The wirework setting is incredible,” exclaimed one guest as she and her friend fitted various rings set with faceted blue topaz, citrine, amethyst and green-gold quartz gemstones, priced from $300-$400.

John S. Brana points out the SoMa Hammered Copper, Silver, and Gold Collection to a customer

Brana’s art colleague and good friend, Klaus Lange was also an exhibiting artist. Lange displayed several abstract photographs taken from ship sides at sea and a selection silk chiffon scarves and sarongs inspired by those images. His silkwear collection, Seaklaus, has developed into an “Art 2 Couture” limited resort collection of wearable art from images of his photographs. The central look of the collection is a classic Japanese kimono with an Elizabethan twist, accessorized with a 24K green quartz gemstone pin with a 14K gold-filled wire setting from Brana’s Pacific Heights collection.

Art 2 Couture by Klaus Lange features a hair pin by John S. Brana

Art People hosts these wine tasting and art events on the last Wednesday of each month. Events are open to the public and entrance fee is $15. The next scheduled event, featuring additional works by John S. Brana and Klaus Lange will take place Wednesday, June 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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

Sonoma Collection at Art People in the Crocker Galleria, San Francisco, CA

New Blue Topaz Hand Fabricated Men’s Ring

October 20, 2007 By John S. Brana 2 Comments

New to the Tonga Collection is this men’s hand fabricated ring. I hand fabricated this ring using 4 sheets of Sterling Silver and one sheet of PMC (used for the side “Tonga” texture), then set it with a 7.5 carat faceted Blue Topaz. Stay tuned for more ring additions to all of my Men’s Jewelry Collections.

Tonga Ring with Blue Topaz- Hand Fabricated

Tahill Galleries presents John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry Trunk Show on February 9th, 2008

October 17, 2007 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

February 9, 2008 – San Mateo, California – John S. Brana Trunk Show – 10:00am to 9:00pm. Just in time for Valetine’s Day, Tahill Galleries features my exclusive premier of two new jewelry collections for Spring ’08.

More Men’s Bracelets from John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry

July 9, 2007 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

Here are several more Men’s Curb and Figaro bracelets that compliment my six Men’s Jewelry Collections. The bracelets come in lengths of 8, 9, or 10 inches and widths vary from 8 mm to 15mm.

New Men’s Bracelets by John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry

June 17, 2007 By John S. Brana 1 Comment

New for summer, I will be releasing over the next few weeks matching Men’s bold Curb Link Bracelets in Sterling Silver with Fine Silver Tags that compliment my six Men’s Jewelry Collections. The pictured Sierra bracelet is 9 inches in length and 1/4 inch wide. Selected bracelets will be available in three widths and two lengths.