Muir Woods | Handmade Jewelry Blog by Jewelry Designer John S Brana

Receive 20% all Handmade Jewelry at the Bloomingdale’s – John S. Brana Trunk Show

September 29, 2009 By jbrana 9 Comments

Here’s an introduction to my Muir Woods patinated handmade copper jewelry collection I will be premiering this weekend at Bloomingdale’s – Stanford. The trunk show will take place Saturday, October 3 through Sunday, October 4, 2009, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy Bloomingdale’s Friends and Family Discount of 20% off all jewelry during this exclusive weekend event. Just click on the link, print out, and bring in to receive 20% off all jewelry during my trunk show…also good for any online purchase at www.bloomingdales.com now through October 4th, 2009.

Click here to receive your coupon.

See the Bloomingdale’s Website for more information about this event.

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

September 8, 2009 By jbrana 3 Comments

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

“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.

John S Brana Introduces New Jewelry Collection “Muir Woods”

August 22, 2009 By John S. Brana 2 Comments

Karri Ann Frerichs, PR Director of Altitude Promotions interviews San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana backstage at "Bella Bikini Fashion Show" by Charleston Pierce at Temple nightclub. John discusses his new handcrafted copper patina jewelry collection inspired by the natural beauty of Muir Woods National Park. Earrings, pendants, bangles, and rings feature hues of burnt umber, red bronze, smoky lavender, iridescent greens, and turquoise.

Click here to view the Muir Woods Collection

John S. Brana to be Featured Jewelry Designer at Bloomingdale’s – Palo Alto Trunk Show

August 6, 2009 By jbrana 8 Comments

Collections by John S. Brana, handcrafted fine jewelry designer from San Francisco, will be showcased during a weekend trunk show hosted by Bloomingdale’s in the Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. The jewelry event will take place Saturday, October 3 through Sunday, October 4, 2009, from 12:00 p.m. To 5:00 p.m. at the fine jewelry counter. Shoppers will also enjoy Bloomingdale’s Friends and Family Discount of 20% off all jewelry by John S. Brana during this exclusive weekend event.

Fold Formed Green Patinated Leaf Earrings Lepidochrosite Bronze Ring

Brana looks forward to premiering Muir Woods, his latest collection of nature-inspired jewelry, including one-of-a-kind cocktail rings and pendants featuring large carat semi-precious gemstones set in sterling silver and bronze. “It was perfect timing for Bloomingdale’s to contact me about a Fall event. 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 referring to his copper earring designs in various hues of turquoise, green, red, black and orange. Additional jewelry collections available during the event include filigree earrings, dramatic pendants, statement cuffs, cocktail rings, and necklaces layered with semi-precious gemstones.

Maroon & Green Patinated Copper Tear Drop Earrings

All fine jewelry designs may be purchased using Bloomingdale’s 20% off Friends and Family discount, and John S. Brana will be present to greet guests and answer all jewelry questions. Event details will be available by visiting www.bloomingdales.com, clicking on the Stores & Events page and choosing the Stanford location.

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.

Fine Handcrafted Jewelry…from the Hands of an Innovative New Designer

September 8, 2008 By John S. Brana 11 Comments

New work in fine jewelry by the otherwise bridge category designer, John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry, proved favorable to the crowd at the Designers by the Bay event held at Shreve & Co. August 21. This newcomer to the list of 20 established fine jewelry exhibitors showcased stunning textured cuffs, sculpted earrings and intricate filigree scrollwork in 18K and 14K gold and fine silver with gemstones. Perhaps his most beautiful new design is a pair of spiraling 14K gold fold formed leaf earrings encasing strands of 13.5carat faceted peridots which, as so many good design ideas occur, happened by accident.

“I was drilling holes for the earwires using a drill press and instead of turning it off, I accidentally increased its speed and the metal just started flailing and spiraling around the drill bit!” described Brana who created over ten new designs for the event. “When I finally got it to turn off, it had formed this twisted fan shape and I thought, ‘that’s pretty cool… now how do I do that again?’” Thankfully, he was able to recreate the shape as it is now available with several gemstone varieties at a suggested retail of $880. Equally as stunning is a pair of 18K Gold and Fine Silver Filigree earrings.

Just as Brana is entering the upper crust of fine jewelry, he continues to develop his lines of bridge category designs inspired by the city in which he creates them, San Francisco. Among the most commented upon and tried on piece of his collection for the event was his anticlastic copper cuffs. “Copper is one of my favorite metals. It showcases amazing texture and its rich, rose gold color is so beautiful on so many people,” said Brana who handcrafts original jewelry designs ranging from $65-$4000. In the coming months look for new collections including Muir Woods featuring earthy, forest themes, and an artistic collaboration with a German-born chef at sea who captures the images of sea-worn ships in abstract photography and wearable silk art. To view each of his collections, visit www.johnsbrana.com. For wholesale and media inquiries, contact Karri Ann Frerichs, Altitude Promotions at karriann@altitudepromotion.com or 402.490.2579.

**New Jewelry – SoMa Collection**

Collections Coming Soon to www.johnsbrana.com

June 8, 2008 By John S. Brana Leave a Comment

SoMa Collection – Watch for hammered silver and bronze rings set with faceted colored gemstones and cabochons – July 2008.

Nob Hill – Matching rings and pendants in sterling silver, vermeil, and 14K – 18K yellow gold – August 2008.

Muir Woods – NEW – Inspired by the natural beauty of Muir Woods, this collection will feature patinaed silver, copper, and bronze earrings, rings, and pendants in multicolored earthtones…just in time for fall – September 2008.