Jewellery World Review - April 2008 - San Francisco-based designer, John S. Brana, introduces the Nob Hill Collection
- Pages 49-50
Introducing The Nob Hill Filigree Jewelry
Collection by San Francisco-based designer, John S. Brana
John S. Brana - Distinctive Jewelry has added an
eighth collection of one-of-a-kind filigree earrings to his diverse line of San
Francisco-inspired wearable art jewelry. This collection features his most
open, airy and delicate wirework designs yet available. The Nob Hill
Collection inspires the re-appreciation for the nostalgic architecture of those
Victorian-era neighborhoods built around the turn of twentieth century.
“That was a time when we didn’t have to remind
ourselves to stop and smell the roses,” Brana described in his San Francisco
studio located in the West Portal neighborhood overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
“We appreciated craftsmanship and weren’t distracted by technology.”
With this in mind, Brana sought to capture the
elaborate scrolls and turbulent twists of the grill work on entrance gates that
dot the neighborly streets of San Francisco’s famous Nob Hill. After twisting
three tiny pure silver or 14 karat gold wires, he sculpts the inner tendrils
into a paired perfection. No two sets are exactly the same. Each design
is then encased by a sturdy barrier of flat or half-round sterling silver or 14
karat gold. Dangling a pair from you ears is a delicate daily reminder that if
you can’t stop to smell the roses, you can at least take them with you.
"That demonstrated to me that what makes me happy is to help people celebrate special moments in their life through my wearable art jewelry rather than pursuing a cold corporate agenda like I was doing at Schwab," John said.
The Nob Hill Collection is the latest addition to
Brana’s line of limited-edition jewelry and wearable art collections each as
different as their San Francisco neighborhood namesakes. Just as each city
block of this unique American city tells a unique story and every turn tempts a
new adventure, Brana’s handcrafted jewelry is also sure to leave a lasting
impression.