dEconstructing Kelly Young

When I walked into jewelry designer Kelly Young's apartment I didn't really know what to expect.  I had only met Kelly once when we were at an event at Mohawk.  The time we met, Kelly had a booth set up displaying her jewelry line, dEconstructed dEsign.  I was intrigued by her work so I stuck around her booth for awhile.  Her jewelry had a sign next to it saying "Hand chains. Ask me how these work!"  When your jewelry needs instructions, you know you have an interesting product that is not your average accessory.

But Kelly is probably not your average girl.  I discovered this when I walked into her apartment and discovered a girl with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mask around her head, living in what could have easily been mistaken as a jewelry parts factory.  I am not exaggerating when I say there was jewelry and jewelry pieces everywhere.  This girl loves the process of making jewelry and obviously has a passion for it.  Interestingly, she says she herself does not really wear much jewelry.  When she's not making jewelry Kelly is bartending and she fears most of her jewelry is not appropriate for that job atmosphere.  Wouldn't want to get an arm band caught on a beer tap.

Austin Fashion Week at 2nd Street District

Thursday night, 2nd Street district celebrated their 5th birthday with a block party filled with fashion's finest.  The 2nd Street district is still young, but it has quickly become a prime area for shopping in Austin.  It is especially a good area to go if you are looking for locally designed jewelry.

I started the evening off at Beyond Tradition to check out the new jewelry collection from Tracy Tenpenny Design.

I loved how she combined masculine and feminine elements in this piece!

Austin Fashion Week Pick: VINCA

Some women might put out on a pair of diamond earrings in order to say to the world "I am a sophisticated woman."  The VINCA customer, puts on a pair of diamond shaped earrings made out of wood and makes the world laugh.  This laugh is what VINCA jewelry designer, Amanda Dimova, strives to achieve with her work.  Amanda claims she is "incapable of making something that's not either cute or funny."

I first came across Amanda's jewelry when I was shopping on South Congress and went into one of the best stores to find local jewelry, Parts and Labour.  A little bear ring made out of acrylic seemed to be shouting my name.  I could almost see him bouncing up and down like a little anime character saying "pick me pick me" in a high pitched voice.

While VINCA jewelry is playful and happy-go-lucky, Amanda is serious when it comes to her design process.  While most jewelry designers use materials that are already made, Amanda makes the actual components.   Amanda got the idea to work with acrylic when her family, who owned a shoe factory, bought a laser cuter for industrial purposes.  Amanda quickly learned that some pretty cool things could be produced with the precision of a laser cutter.  These pretty cool things include jewelry pieces titled "Rocker Bear", "Super-Power", and "La Grappa."

VINCA jewelry seems like the perfect jewelry line for a lot of the Austin gals I know.  Amanda says she has a friend who

Bon Bon Jewelry Launch

The official launch of Bon Bon jewelry by Micah Yancey is tomorrow, August 4th at Touch of Sass.  Delish cupcakes and blufeld wine will be provided for you to snack on while you pa-rouse the locally designed jewelry.  The best part of this event is that 10% of the night's profits will benefit the Breast Cancer Resource Center.

What:

• Bon Bon launch party

Where:

• Touch of Sass

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When:

• Wednesday Aug. 4th
• 6- 8 pm

keep austin stylish

Austin Fashion Week Pick: ax + apple

Have you noticed that in Austin everyone and their dog thinks they can be a jewelry designer?  I do love the "do it yourself" attitude that the people of this town have.  However, I feel like everywhere I turn these days someone is trying to pull off their basement made arts and crafts projects as wearable art.  Okay, some can actually succeed at this.  Some can't.  When the participating designers in Austin Fashion Week were announced, I scoured the list of jewelry designers to find some designs that stood out above the "basement crafters" and the "pretty, but seen it befores."

I succeeded when I came across "ax + apple."  Jamie Lyn is the designer behind this classic jewelry with a modern edge.  Originally moving from South Florida, Jamie has since lived in 7 different cities.  Growing restless in her surroundings easily, Jamie eventually found her way to Austin.  She calls Austin "my kind of town" and says she feels lucky to call it home.  And lucky for us, Jamie says she will be sticking around for awhile.

I did a little Q&A session with Jamie to find out more about her interesting jewelry:

Of all the artistic outlets to choose from, what made you choose jewelry design?

It took me years to hone in on jewelry.  I studied fibers and fabrics, ceramics, and specialized in photography in college.  And while I was well received in these outlets, I was still restless and often found myself feeling creatively stagnant.  I had to push too hard.  It wasn't until years after I graduated that I started dabbling in jewelry making.  I started teaching myself basic techniques and fell in love with metal.  I love the sound it makes, I love watching it melt and oxidize...  I love all the tools and the fire and the endless possibilities, and I love that when you finish a piece you get to put it on and keep it with you.  I am constantly buzzing with ideas... which made me realize this was my match.

Gallery Black Lagoon

Local jewelry designers Stephanie Jimenez, Danielle Kress, Ingrid Kuper, Lisa Linbrugger, ELizabeth Baird, Holly Riley, Kristin Laing, Maggie Goen, and Christine Terrell will have their jewelry on display and for sale! 

This event is one day only and free to attend.

If you want to buy something, they will be accepting cash only.  Make sure you also bring some cash for the cash bar which will be serving mimosas, sangria, and cosmopolitans all day long.

Austin Shines

The first-ever "Austin Shines" presented by Eliza Page and Launch787 is bringing together artists, retailers, designers, educators, and industry influencers to celebrate and encourage new and emerging jewelry design talent.

Rebecca Lankford Trunk Show at By George

By George, on North Lamar and 6th, is having a trunk show with jewelry designer Rebecca Lankford. According to her website, "Rebecca's jewelry designs range from Bohemian to Sophisticated."


Rebecca herself will be in the store on Friday December 4th from 10am - 6pm to show you her collection. This trunk show continues through Saturday December 5th from 10am - 6pm.


keep austin stylish

by george Soiree and Trunk Show With Irene Neuwirth

by george is having a Soiree tomorrow (Wednesday October 28th) from 6 - 8 pm with jewelry designer Irene Neuwirth. Irene is the founder and owner of the L.A. based jewelry company, Irene Neuwirth Inc.. You can meet Irene and check out her jewelry all while sipping a cocktail at by george on 6th and Lamar.

Then, there is the trunk show with Irene on Thursday October 29th from 12 - 5pm where you can buy directly from Irene. The trunk show will remain in the store for purchases from October 30th - October 31st.

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