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!

If you are in New York, look for me and beautiful art here!

If you have been reading my post, you probably have heard about my retail anchor in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It was called Urban Alchemist and here was the post about it.

The lovely boutique has been there since 2008 but unfortunately due to the economy, it could not survive on its own. So now the place is transformed by 2 talented ladies into an art gallery called Ground Floor Gallery, and Urban Alchemist takes up a corner of the gallery as its gift store. A selection of my Harlequin&Lionhead jewelry is available for purchase there!

I have been to the gallery opening last week and took some pics. You can also see a post about the gallery on the Daily News here.

Temporary signage outside of the gallery. The window installation (the computers) is created by one of the artist,  Lori Nelson. Her art, as you will see below, has a strong theme evolving the digital world.

The window installation to promote Lori Nelson's exhibition of "Next Generation"

My crappy photo of Lori's exhibition. Click to visit her website.

I love June Glasson's interaction driven pieces. She has a few paintings on display.

Evan Venegas's Emodata is on display as well.

Elizabeth Riley's Moving/Still collection.

At the Urban Alchemist corner, you can see a beautiful collection of picture plates by Angela Rossi or Beat Up Creations.

Under the picture plates is the jewelry case showcasing some of the previous jewelry selections at the Urban Alchemist full scale store. Here you can find the best of the Eswera designs by Imaan Selim. 

And some other designers including your truly, Harlequin&Lionhead! 

Selected pieces from my Harlequin&Lionhead collections. Including all-time-best-seller, Rose Adjustable Rings and Rose Wreath Rings, Whirls #1 and #2 rings, Whirls #6 and #7 pendant necklaces. And new addition the Long Stem Rose Dangle earrings. And my personal fav Rose bangles. The pieces that makes lovely gifts, the Rose Wreath pendants and the Whirls #5 rings. 

Unfortunately due to space limitation, all the rings I have there are all size 7. If you happens to hop by and see anything you like and want it in a different size, just leave a message at the store or email me and I'll send other sizes over for you!

The Gloor Floor Gallery opens Fri-Sun, from noon-7pm. At any day you can find one of two brilliant ladies, Jill or Krista there.

Buy local and support individual artists!

A look back at my spring trunk show

4 days flew by quite quickly at Henri Bendel and again, I admire the strength of the staffs working at Bendel! Standing straight for 12 hours and chatting up customers are really quite physical, but I enjoy interacting with customers and share the joy of creating. Thank you all for the great folks at Bendel. Here is again a shameful display I did the first day, and how nicely it is put up on the second day by the professional :P How can I do this without you all ;)

Day 1 - Debbie's own doing...the bracelets are hidden. And I can't put out all the earrings :(

Day 2 - With the help of the visual team at Bendel, all my necklaces are displayed properly and I managed to get my earrings out. And my bracelets are placed more prominently!

Now spring is kicked off with a new lookbook and a trunk show on 5th Avenue. More to come this year and I look forward to it all!

P.S., Here is my new friend. Last time it was the little mayan god made with jade, this time it is the lovely silver dolls! Starred at them for 4 days...I wish I can adopt them :P

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!

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 ;)

Fashion Trend Update - Fall2012 / Spring2013

Image credit: http://newagexbrainwash.com

If you have read my trend summary from earlier this year, you will see that the early prediction for Fall  has become a guide for mainstream commercial fashion and some of these trends may have already taken over your wardrobe. And a lot of it are here to stay for spring 2013!

First off, a recap of Fall must haves:

1) Silhouettes - iron lady (update - suits, peplums are still here, adding full skirts now, restraint elegance, specifically buttoned up or closed colars), modern military, global aristocrate, chic sportsman (sportswear rules!), matrix PLUS roomy 20s and 80s jacket and slouchy pants look (updated)

2) Materials - FUR, or rather faux fur! (update) Leather, ultra-feminine lace, velvet, AND lots of jeweled embellishments! (updated)

3) Colors - Stark black and gold contrasts, white, burgundy and LOTS of RED

4) Patterns - (updated) Opulent floral patterns are more romantic and dark. Also latticework or tiled toned down smaller patterns on suits, coats and pants. Symmetrical images or geometrical shapes creating curvy illusions

From top to bottom, left to right: Balmain, Rick Owens, Givenchy, L'Wren, Jason Wu, Dolce&Gabbana,  Max Mara, Lavin, Giles

Where do I get a good look at the designers examples of these trends:
HarpersBazaar.com
Elle.com
NYMag.com

Where do I get a good how-to-wear guide of some of these trends:
Instyle.com


Then a quick snapshot of Spring/Summer 2013 from the ongoing NYFW:

So far it is a bit sedated compared to the popping colors of the previous SS collections. There are some colors here and there but used quite strategically in the shows. Seems like it is all saved for the crazy nail art! Ok, here are some key highlights so far...

1) Tough romanticism (or BDSM inspired) leather and lace (really?!)
2) The Jazz Age is here to stay
3) Sportswear
4) Globe Trotting (it kinda faded out in the fall, and I'm not exactly sure if I like the latest DVF collection so you decide...)
5) African influence in color
6) Black fading into blues, coral, and nude
7) White
8) Flowers
9) Color blocking and geometry

From top to bottom, left to right: Tibi, Tracey Reese, Giulietta, Prabal Gurung, Helmut Lang, BCBG, Lela Rose, Rachel Zoe, Calvin Klein

Where do I get a good look at the designers examples of these trends:

HarpersBazaar.com

Elle.com

Where do I get closeups and goodies about NYFW:
Go to MBFW Facebook page!

More to come after the FW and remember, you can watch it from the comfort of your desk (no tickets required!) on the Fashion Week youtube channel!

And I'll be putting together my new collection pinterest boards soon. So go check it out later.

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~