J’adore – Jewelsies
This is not the first time that I have written about how much I adore Kate and her jewelry shops Jewelsies and Half Hours. As a francophile, her items call to me.
But beyond the French or Parisian-themed necklaces, earrings and pendants, she also crafts beautiful art deco, antique styles, and mixed metal pieces that appeal to just about anyone. Kate is delightful, hard-working, and extremely talented and I love her work.
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If you have been reading this blog for any length of time you will know that it is important to me to support small business owners, particularly women, so I wanted to share a little more of Kate and her gorgeous work.
Saturday I shared a post from Andi Perullo of My Beautiful Adventures in which she shared earrings that a reader had made for her that truly reflect the sparkling beauty that Andi is. I had the very same experience with Kate. She created for me three custom pendants (one even has an Eiffel Tower on it!) with my Misadventures with Andi logo on it. I love them.
Above all, I love the kindness and generosity that Kate showed in creating these pieces for me “just because.”
Kate and I have cooked up a giveaway, but before I provide more detail, I wanted to share more background on Kate. She graciously agreed to answer a few questions.
[MWA] You took a little break since we last saw you in 2011, what have you been up to, and what motivated you to re-launch Jewelsies?
[Kate] Yes, last year I moved to a charming town just outside Chicago. I also gave birth to my third baby. It made sense to temporarily close my shops to help us adjust to our new life. Three kiddos make life busy, but we are getting into a groove so I recently reopened my shops. During this time I've experienced a real surge of creative energy. There's nothing like new motherhood to get all the creative and crafty ions flowing 🙂
I've also been creating a lot of new Paris-inspired pieces. As you well know, I love all things french. My French-inspired pieces have been kicked up a notch with my new resin obsession. I simply adore the Eiffel tower but wanted to create some non-traditional french pieces. These pieces highlight other Parisian treasures, such as the Arc de Triumph, and Notre Dame, etc.
[MWA] I am pleased that I was a small inspiration to you in your latest jewelry-making obsession! What's the process that you went through to feed this obsession?
[Kate] Me too – thanks for that! I've always wanted to delve into more mixed media / altered art projects. When you and I started talking about turning your logo into a pendant, it was the perfect reason for me to dive right in. I experimented with several different glazes and resins until I found the perfect one to create these gorgeous, personal, and wearable works of art. As a result, my latest jewelry obsession was born.
[MWA] This is a really fun way for bloggers to advertise their blogs at conferences, or heck…even just while walking down the street…how do you plan to offer customization for bloggers going forward?
[Kate] Thank you – I'm so glad you think so! I can create a simple pendant with any logo or image. The process can be pretty straightforward – you send me an electronic image and I transform it into a pendant – et voila! I also create more detailed pieces that can include other objects or mini-collages.
For instance, one of your pieces has your logo on one side, and a collage of things you love – a map of Paris and a fleur-de-lis – on the other side. I love working with someone to ensure we create the piece they want. Especially for a blog – it's so personal and such a big part of who someone is. The great thing with this technique is that you can showcase all sorts of objects. This helps create a real feel for the blog and/or the person wearing the piece.
I have also created keepsake pieces by using a photo or an image of a favorite place. I have even captured natural elements such as a teeny, tiny starfish, and petals from a flower. I love jewelry that holds special meaning. By wearing the piece you are carrying that treasured memory, person, place, or favorite object with you.
Thanks Kate!
I absolutely love the pieces Kate made for me.
How about that??!!
Check out Kate's shops Jewelsies and Half Hours NOW and pick up something for the holidays today. Buy an item, print out the photo from the shop and stick it in a box, the recipient will get a surprise on Christmas Day and a surprise when it comes in the mail (I've totally done that before)!
Happy shopping!
I love your interview with Kate! What a talented gal she is!! I also love how your logo looks in Kate’s creations.
Thank you so much for the shout out again!!!!! I really adore you, you know that? This is my favorite piece: http://www.etsy.com/listing/60962873/sweet-bird-pendant-sterling-silver-and. I would love it in gold though. It’s so awesome that you support these incredibly talented artists. Love it!
Hi Andi,
Thank you so much for featuring me and offering this great giveaway! I appreciate your support.
Kate
@Kate, my pleasure! As you can see everyone agrees with me!
What a neat (and niche!) idea re: jewelry for bloggers!
After looking through both Half Hours and Jewelsies Etsy sites, I have to go with the mixed metal Feather Mamma’s Nest Charm Bracelet: http://www.etsy.com/listing/110716510/feather-mammas-nest-charm-bracelet. Adorable and would make a great gift for my sister. Thanks for sharing this creative giveaway!!
What a wonderful idea to create custom jewelery for bloggers, or anyone for that matter! And French inspired, no doubt! Lovely pieces, will take a look at the rest of the collection!
Best of luck Kate!!
i want the “bee charmed” necklace. everything kate makes is adorable
I think the Circle of Flight Earrings are cute
I *love* seeing your logo/graphic in those necklaces! Adorable. What a *great* idea. You should model the pendants, Andi!!
I’m so proud of ETSY artists and vintage sellers! My sister got her start there, and now she has a “brick and mortar” store in Denver. There are the most wonderful things to be found at ETSY, and Kate’s work is exceptional.
xx
Karin
Love it, as always your posts get better and better and the hard working talent does too. I’ve been pushing American made and A.M women workers are even better. I’ll be pushing her items for sure.
I know you updated your website, but it looks different from the last time, I think. I really like it.
@Barbara, thanks, I really appreciate that!
Oh my goodness I love the jewelry she made for you! As a francophile myself, I will definitely be checking out her site! Also love the giveaway earrings! (Rafflecopter pick me!!)
I would use it to buy Follow Your Heart Sterling Silver Swirl Necklace
I am in love with the art deco swarovski crystal chandelier earrings.
my sister would love these
What a beautiful collection! I love them all… but if I had to pick I would get either the Ella Flower Necklace, Dotted Edge or one made especially for my blog Two Pink Peas. Thank you for sharing this line of jewelry as I have never heard of it before. I love finding new and great finds and this falls into that catagory!! Thanks for a chance to win one of these amazing pieces! Terri of Two Pink Peas http://www.twopinkpeas.com
How adorable. I would totally wear Andi around my neck.
@Jen, too funny!
I would buy the Gold Teacup Ring: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62679513/gold-teacup-filigree-ring
one lump or two: teacup and teapot earrings I would pick those in honor of my grandma.
I would use it toward the pocketful of daisies post earrings and bouquet of flowers rings.
I’d get the parisian inspired charm necklace – antique silver
The jewelry is beautiful. I really love the Sweet Bird Pendant.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60962873/sweet-bird-pendant-sterling-silver-and
I love the dotted edge SS to which I would add my husbands and my name to or the sweet bird pendant I would add my name to and place on my birthstone necklace i have. Beautiful pieces make it hard to choose!
I might buy the wise owl necklace with swarovski eyes.
My e-mail: blackasphodel(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would pick out the Mamma’s Nest
I love the “Oui” and “Non” earrings at HalfHours 🙂
If I won, I would totally get the “Let Them Eat Cake” ring and the “Long Live the Queen” gold earrings. So cute!
Paris Je T’aime sp? on Jewelsies
wild owl necklace.
id get the Sweet Bird Pendant – sterling silver and ready to be stamped
This is my fave:
to the waters and the wild – double sided fairy pendant
Thanks! 🙂
http://www.etsy.com/listing/110715287/hand-stamped-grand-charm-bracelet I really LOVE this bracelet! Its 68.00 but I’d put the GC towards this because I just have to have it!! =) Ty
The c’est la vie charm bangle bracelet from HalfHours is what I’d use the credit twords
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117897228/cest-la-vie-charm-bangle-bracelet
I like the bed of ivory roses vintage dangle earrings at half hours.
i would get Follow Your Heart Sterling Silver Swirl Necklace from jewelsies
think the Circle of Flight Earrings are cute and the bee charmed necklace is awesome.
I would get the Eiffel Tower earrings!
i love the sea casts its spell necklace
I love it – so distinguished! (Both the earrings and the pendants).
Okay for me it must be the “I love you more than yesterday and less than tomorrow” necklace. 🙂
I would get this little guy http://www.etsy.com/listing/116019047/wise-owl-necklace-with-swarovski-eyes
http://www.etsy.com/listing/110715287/hand-stamped-grand-charm-bracelet
This is one item I have my eye on! I’d get it with my grandson’s name on it. 🙂
I really like the Faceted Pink Topaz and Peridot Wire Wrapped Earrings
http://www.etsy.com/listing/55039806/faceted-pink-topaz-and-peridot-wire
Hope,Faith and Love would be my choice:) Love it~
put a ring on it hand made necklace just beautiful
waters on the wild
I would buy these earrings art deco swarovski crystal chandelier earrings
love several of the necklaces
I love the c’est la vie charm bangle bracelet
I would like any of the pendants. Twinkle, Twinkle is one of my favorites.
I love the sweet bird necklace!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117701443/art-deco-swarovski-crystal-chandelier. Those earrings are just gorgeous.
cute earrings they would look good on me
I like the bee charmed necklace.
I would wear the Love Letter From Paris charm bracelet. It is so cute!
Thank you for the giveaway:)
Golden Lioness Charm in Satin Gold Vermeil Necklace or art deco swarovski crystal chandelier earrings
I love the Long Live the Queen Earrings!
At Half Hours, I love the Oui Oui Cuff.
Cute giveaway! And i would get the Unbreakable heart necklace!
Thanks again to Andi for featuring me on her delightful blog.
Just catching up on all the lovely and encouraging comments you left.
I am beaming as I read all the sweet things you had to say – you’ve made my day! Many thanks!