Enjoy 30% off this Valentine's Day!

Being the last Valentine's Day that I will be able to spend with my husband without the wailing of a baby in the house, there will be a special 30% off promotion for all jewelry on my website and my Etsy store!

Simply check out with the promo code XOFeb14 before February 14, 2014.*

Most styles are currently in stock and I will not be creating new inventory after February so hurry up before they are all gone!

For those of you who are thinking of a special tailor-made piece for yourself or your loved ones, I am still open to custom design until March 1, 2014. After that, I will only take custom orders that are modifications based on current designs, up till March 31, 2014. So let me know asap if you have any ideas in mind!

*Cannot be combined with other offers. If your existing discount codes do not work anymore, don't worry, they will be available again after the store-wide promotion is over.

The Making Of the Custom Made Wedding Ring Project

This is a project that I started with a customer since mid-2013. Between discussions, travel plans, pregnancy...etc it took much longer than we both thought it would be. But the process is collaborative and exciting, the result is amazing and I love (even the most painful moments) every second I spent working on them.

The original brief is to create a set of rings designed around the concept of being "together." We started with a yin-yang concept. Then I designed 2 very rough 2-D sketches to show what I have in mind and this one was picked.

(Excuse the ugly rendering...did it all on photoshop :P)

My concept is an elongated heart shape, with each ring carrying half a heart. Together, the two rings form one pattern. Yet when separated, each would still retain its own individuality.

After I got the approval to proceed, I started carving the original wax model for the male ring because it provided the most surface to work on, so we could really see the effect of the curves. It was a tedious process. Click on the snapshot below to read a little more about each step on my flickr album.

There were 3 different models created before we finally arrived at something both of us liked. And in between, I found out I was pregnant, and went through a couple months of inactivity from the all-day sickness. We joked about how the wedding rings were actually made by 2 of us - me and my baby. Talking about good omen!

The final set was cast in tarnish-resistant sterling silver and hand-polished to a mirror finish.

I love working on custom designed projects because each one is designed with a person in mind. They are "born" to be a part of someone's life. When I started creating jewelry, I always believe that jewelry is more than accessories to an outfit, but it should call upon the wearer's reminiscence of an unforgettable moment.

I hope I can continue to work more on these meaningful projects. If any of you are interested at creating your own set of jewelry with me, simply drop me a line and let's collaborate!

This Holiday, celebrate with Harlequin&Lionhead!

*Free US standard shipping offer is valid until December 31, 2013 and cannot combined with any other offers.
**This newsletter subscription offer valid until December 31, 2013. Cannot be combined with any other offers and cannot be transferred. No cash values. Cannot be applied to previous orders.

It was lovely at Crafts In Chelsea

Last Sat I was at Crafts In Chelsea as one of the artisans on display. Crafts In Chelsea happens twice a year in Chelsea, Manhattan (one in Spring around May/June, and another in Fall around Oct). Although it is a street event, only artisan goods handmade in US are featured. Most of us are based in NYC. I love being at the market. The neighborhood is lovely and people appreciate the unique qualities of handmade goods, from jewelry, clothing, illustration arts, home decor, toys to skincare products. This is one of my NYC trunk show locations every year where I get to meet my customers in a casual setting and play dress up in the glorious spring or comfortable fall weather. If you miss it this past Sat, remember to come by in Fall!

Meet Rianka, the stylish and the proud owner of
Harlequin&Lionhead Whirls #1 Ring in White Gold plating.

This year, it was lovely as usual but a few highlights deserve to be mentioned. First of all, my first customer of the day was a generous Swedish girl who bought my little rose chain bracelet (soon be available online at my Etsy store) and paid me extra for it because "it is beautiful." I have never had a customer did that before - the fact that she appreciates my work so much already made my day. And then a few of my customers came by to say hi. It is always nice to see a few familiar faces and know you are out there looking for Harlequin&Lionhead. It motivates me to continue to create. Thank you dearies!

And the greatest thing is this wall facing me the whole day. Thank you PS 11 for hosting such a great event for handmade artists and designers like myself. Your support of creativity and arts is what makes the world a better place!

Meet Harlequin&Lionhead this Sat in Chelsea, NYC!

Some interesting ways to wear your jewelry

Since my last photoshoot and trunk show, I have shown 2 pairings of my rings that turned out to be quite unexpected for my customers. So here they are...I Hope it will inspire you to create more unique ways to wear your jewelry. Remember, share with me at the comments section!

2 of my Rose Adjustable Rings

+

Robert Lee Morris Collection Galactic Petal Ring

=

Or

2 of my Whirls #1 Statement Rings

↓

2013 Spring Trunk Show at Henri Bendel

After more than 2 months of hiatus, I'm back to meet you all in person at my spring trunk show at Henri Bendel NY Flagship store. Come to the 2nd floor of their 712 5th Avenue location and say hi on March 28-31! Can't wait to see you all.

A sneak peak at my lookbook 2013

My lookbook is finally available! I will be posting it onto my website next week and a lot of work to be done around the site. I am blessed with the generosity and talent of a lot of people who made this happen. I will work hard to bring more beautiful jewelry! 

Thank you so much, Angela Cox Photography. Angela has been amazing working patiently with me going through my mood boards to get a sense what I am looking for, work with me on the styling notes and pretty much executed the whole shoot unsupervised! I cannot have done this without you. BIG HUG!

And of course, the muse and soul of this shoot, the beautiful Molly McCoy. As a part time model and student, she possesses the qualities in the girl that I imagine in my head when I work. A bit rebellious, definitely confident, but a little melancholic as well...

Hair and makeup is done by Heather Cox. Thanks for working with such tight schedule and outdoors in the cold! And of course, a big round of applause for Sally Tseng, who kindly lend me one of the tops for the shoot. This lovely pastel yellow camisole is just perfect with its wood-like pattern. So pretty :)

Now 2013 carries a much more solid feeling. It is on my cover :D Next, a powered up website!

Special Valentine's Day promotion - Week 1

During the month of love, I am introducing special pieces from my Rose Collection that are usually NOT available anywhere except for trunk shows and at selected retail stores, and bringing them to my Etsy store at a discounted price. These are usually specially designed or produced in small quantity only. Now you can get them directly from me to you, or to your loved ones. So get it before they are gone here.

This week you can find the 3 Roses and Chain Statement Earrings at my Etsy store, available until end of Feb. It comes in sterling silver and 2 other plated versions. But only the silver version and an affordable brass version will be available for this Valentine's Day promotion. Come back later to see the  brass version with unique tint of gold and lovely pink.

What to say about 2012 and 2013?

From Kozyndan Bunnyfish Collection

I feel like 2012 was a year that Harlequin&Lionhead was truly born. 

I was blessed with some really great mentors in this year. Thank you Arts Business Institute for pointing me to the right direction. And thank you Tracy and Robin for your guidance and advices. These all help laid a good foundation for me to build on.

I was lucky to have found a partner to be my ally at various shows, Jessica. You are a sweetheart and I don't know how I could have done this without having you by my side ;)

I was pumped to find out that Henri Bendel has chosen me to be featured at their NYC location. There I get to know a talented designer Brandy. Hope 2013 will bring you lots of good news!

And I am so happy that Harlequin&Lionhead has found a stable retail home at Urban Alchemist. Thank you for Imaan and Tara for bringing me to the lovely neighborhood of Park Slope Brooklyn.

Of course, I have to give a big thanks to my husband and my mom who have been so supportive of what I am doing.

Big plans for 2013. More to come. The rabbit that dreams to be a fish loves you all.

Fall Winter Trend 2012/13: Dark of the Night

Another big trend we noticed during the fall winter 2012/13 shows was that there was a whole lot of black. The color black, classic, and always in fashion has definitely made its mark in several designer’s collections for the season. Givenchy’s show had a skin-tight black leather turtleneck dress that would mesh quite well with the likes of Cat Woman. Gucci kept it sexy and sophisticated by bringing on blouses in black sheer fabric with velvet sewn on embellishments. The overall mood for this dark trend is very sleek, cat-like, mysterious, and with just enough mystery involved.

Lucky for us, this dark trend fits the Harlequin&Lionhead’s Whirls collection spot on. Accessories are half of the fun when it comes to dressing trendy, besides, with accessories you can really express your own fashion sense and style. Accessories are best used to add that little extra ‘something’ to your look, and most importantly, your own flare and voice. A great piece from Harlequin&Lionhead’s Whirls Collection is the Whirls #7 Pendant (shown below). This pendant is the 7^th design from the Whirls collection and features a beautifully set octagon metal centerpiece amidst a feather nest. This is definitely the ideal statement piece, and the high polished octagon stone looks wicked in oxidized metal, as well as the satin brass version.

 Another lovely piece that fits so well into this dark moody trend are the Whirls #3 Earrings. These stud earrings are inspired by chrysanthemum flowers, which give a very wicked feeling on their own. The earrings come in gold plated or white gold plated, your choice.

For more information on both of these lovely pieces, please visit Harlequin&Lionhead.

The happenings at Harlequin&Lionhead this Dec!

I have waited until Thanksgiving is over to talk about Christmas and I just cannot wait anymore! Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. It is not only the festive decoration, the numerous wrapping (I love gift wrappings!) and presents, but the spirit of giving, and celebration with the beloved. This year, my mother will be here with me and some of you may get to see her in my coming trunk shows. Here is a load down where you can find Harlequin&Lionhead in person!

1) Krrb Home for the Holidays Pop-Up Production

Krrb.com is made uniquely for local and in-person commerce. They bring you an online environment where you can find what you are looking for right in your neighborhood, made and sold by local businesses. 

From November 29 to December 20, at their Brooklyn headquarter, they will be hosting a pop-up trunk show featuring various local goods from designers and makers in NY. Harlequin&Lionhead rings and earrings will be available for purchase at their show. I'll post more info next week about it. Go check it out! 

2) Urban Alchemist Design Collective

Yes, I will be back at the store with all the other amazing US designer goods! Harlequin&Lionhead will be available for purchase at this lovely boutique, located in Brooklyn Park Slope. And I will be there various days in December. Find out more when I will be there on my facebook page!

3) Brooklyn Trunk Shows

A small quantity of my rings and earrings will be available at the Bunnies Can Dream table on sale. Below are the locations and more info. I will be personally there with many local artists and talents. So come say hi!

South Slope Holiday Craft Fair is hosted by PS10. All proceeds will benefit the school. 

PS 10 in Park Slope, Brooklyn 

511 Seventh Avenue between Prospect Avenue and 17th Street

Dec 15, 11am-5pm

Brooklyn Craft Central Holiday Market 2012 is an extended version of the famously exciting holiday market in Brooklyn. This year it will be 2 weekends, Dec 15/16 and Dec 22/23. Each week there will be different vendors. 

Harlequin&Lionhead will only be there on Dec 16. 11am-5pm

Littlefield, Park Slope Brooklyn

622 Degraw Street, New York, NY

Want to save a bit on your X'mas shopping? Make sure to sign up for my mailing list and get 10% off your first purchase! An early happy holiday to you!

A look back on my trunk show at Urban Alchemist

Thank you for Urban Alchemist Design Collective for hosting my trunk show last week at their Park Slope Brooklyn store! Love the atmosphere of the store and the folks are sweet, the merch are great, I had fun selling my jewelry and buying things there!

This great boutique is a local favorite for the past 4 years, featuring designers and artists around the country. The store owner Imaan is a loving mother and a talented mixed media jewelry designer too! And her husband Jeff personally selects the vinyle LP collection in the store. Store Managers Tara and Eric runs a cool T-shirt company called The Fencing & Archery Printing Co..

Check out Imaan's jewelry brand, Eswera Jewerly. On top, Alison Corrie's Stuffed Animal Collection. The aligator and dodo are the only 2 left. Almost took home the aligator! 

We're Wolves T-shirt design by Fencing & Archery

Recent hot items in the store belongs to one of the store's coop member, Zsuzsanna's Roots In Rust.

There are some other great finds too! The great Swan ring and the silver Rhino ring are created by Melany. And check out some of my other shots below.

Ceramic necklaces 

If you are in the neighborhood, visit the lovely Urban Alchemist, a door away from the corner of 5th Street and 5th Avenue, Brooklyn! They open noon-8pm from Tues to Sats, and noon-6pm on Suns ;)

Meet me this weekend in Park Slope!

Date: November 10-11, 2012

Time: noon-8pm

Location: 

Urban Alchemist Design Collective

343 Fifth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Tel: 718.499.0758

Urban Alchemist Design Collective offers an eclectic mix of work by independent designers. It has soon became a Park Slope neighborhood fav boutique since its opening in 2008.

I will bring entire collections from Harlequin&Lionhead, including great statement pieces not available on my Etsy shop. Limited quantity only so come early or they are out.

Another November event I will be in is The 1st Annual Beat-the-Crowds Handmade Holiday Happening presented by Two Fair Ladies on November 17. Are you ready for some holiday shopping? Leave a comment below ;)

On Trend: Femininely Gothic Fall/Winter 2012/13

With the chilly months moving in on us we look to warm up with thicker clothing, like knits and heavy coats. Staying up to date with trends is ideal for any fashionable gal, and this fall winter 12/13, it is all about the gothic vibe. Gothic inspired many collections and has become a key trend this season. Leather, velvet, and lace are the fabrics most used to convey this darker mood, and are definitely on trend. When going for the gothic trends opt for long silhouettes, and of course, the color black. Remember Roccobarocco’s collection that featured a stunning fitted knee length dress with a white collar and cross? (see above) This look is the perfect example of femininely gothic. The dress had a body conscious fit, yet still classic and sophisticated with the stark white collar, cinched belt, tights, and heels.

Harlequin&Lionhead features many pieces that will fit well into this gothic trend. While you don’t want to go overboard with accessories, for fear of looking like a vampire, keep things simple, and bold. The piece that I would like to mention is the gold plated Rose Bouquet Ring from Harlequin&Lionhead. This ring works amazingly for the gothic trend because roses are a classic symbol of the gothic era and this ring brings that beauty, in a colder way. The beautiful cocktail ring infuses a romantic feeling with old world charm, and works perfectly with the darker clothing this season. The ring comes in oxidized sterling silver, as well as pink silver, which has a lovely hue close to the more popular rose gold color. The ring is bold enough to make a statement and compliment the gothic trend well, while still being delicate and feminine enough to keep the romantic edge.

Introducing our guest blogger, Reese Herrick

Reese Herrick, the Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director of CHAOS Magazine will be my guest blogger in a series about fashion and accessory and gifting tips for the fashionable. The series kicks off tomorrow and will be posted every other Thursday. So subscribe to the RSS feed now!

Reese is also a fashion stylist and an art director who splits her time between SF and NY. Known for her edgy and raw aesthetic, she has worked with various photographers in both US and Europe, as well as their top modeling agencies. 

I am very excited to have Reese here on my blog! A round applause and come back tomorrow to see her first post!

Also, remember to sign up for my mailing list on the left hand side of the blog to receive a 10% off your first purchase ;)

Fashion's Night Out 2012 trunk show at Henri Bendel!

Thank you all for coming to my FNO trunk show at Henri Bendel last week. It was a blast and I am excited to have met all of you. At the trunk show there was a sneak peek of what is to come for the fall. The new addition to the Rose and Whirls collection got some excellent feedbacks and I will be releasing more info on those shortly! Thank you again for the generosity of Henri Bendel and I hope to be back soon for a fall trunk show. Love you all~