Mother's Day, Celebrity Gifting, Memories

With Mother's Day approaching, I feel my usual melancholy as I remember my amazing and beautiful mother, Mary Elnora Doll.  She was the embodiment of unconditional love, elegance, and grace.  As I pursue my dreams via my jewelry business, she remains a constant source of inspiration! If she were still alive, she would be so excited about my journey with The Artisan Group and celebrity gifting.  Did I mention that she was Hollywood glamorous throughout her life?  She never left the house without looking amazing and put together.  I used to tease her that she put on lipstick to get the mail.  To this day, I hear her ask me "you are wearing THAT?" when I leave the house to run errands looking less than Southern Belle styled.  This is often!

I've been very busy these past few months, getting ready for a great Mother's Day gift bag that The Artisan Group will be giving to the following talked-about celebrities:  Hilary Duff,  Rebecca Gayheart, Keri Russell, Beyonce, Kourtney Kardashian, Lindsay Price, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jessica Alba, Uma Thurman, Alyson Hannigan, Molly Sims, Sienna Miller, Kristin Cavallari, Jessica Simpson, Bryce Dallas Howard, Evangeline Lilly, Jennifer Garner, Marley Shelton, Sarah Polley, Mrs. Jason Bateman (Amanda Anka), Mrs. Bruce Willis (Emma Heming), Susan Downey, Jr., Lisa Loeb,  Mrs. Kelsey Grammer (Katye Walsh), and Jessica Capshaw. How is that for some serious name dropping?

With a mother's love in mind, I created the Cherished Heart Necklace.  It features a heart nestled within a circle and lovely shades of pink and pearl, with gold and coral undertones.

Cherished Heart modeled by Melissa Leila

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/KathrynDesigns

Wishing a very happy Mother's Day to all!  

Don't you love a nice suprise? Kathryn Designs on the myStyle Shop-It List!

I was so thrilled and honored when I saw that my mosaic bangle was included in the April 12th myStyle.com Shop-It List!

Handcrafted Mosaic Bangle

As my shop is still fairly new, I was very excited to get such great exposure on the very chic myStyle.com.

I was even more honored when I saw that my item was included with beautiful items including a Yarnz Printed Cashmere Scarf, Michael Kors Project Suede Fragrance,  and gorgeous candle from a fellow member of The Artisan Group, Deborah Carducci of Villa Lusso.  

My journey continues, and I have two exciting gifting events coming up via The Artisan Group.  First up is a Mother's Day gift bag that will be received by amazing celebrity mothers.  Kathryn Designs will also be a part of the GBK Gift Lounge MTV Movie Awards press and industry mixer gifting.

I feel so grateful that I am able to pursue my dream and build my jewelry business.

Polymer clay plus gemstones for Rachael Ray!

I am very excited to share my latest opportunity via The Artisan Group!  I am contributing a necklace that will be included in a special swag bag for the lovely Rachael Ray.  I have recently become interested in using gemstones in my polymer clay jewelry, and decided this was the perfect time to focus on gemstones as I created a unique piece for her.

Rachael Ray, photo by The Heart Truth

Here is the necklace I will be sending Rachael:

Necklace featuring a lab sapphire (orange padparadscha) and natural garnets from
Kathryn Designs

I read that her favorite color is orange, so I decided to use a gorgeous orange lab sapphire.  I paired it with four natural garnets.  The background is luminous peach, pink, and gold, and the bezel was hand formed using polymer clay.  I am so excited about this new direction for my work!  Here is another sample of a piece I created using a beautiful Olivine CZ and moonstones:

More to come as I pursue my newest obsession in jewelry making!  I have lots of stones that I have purchased over the years, and now I know what I will be doing with them.

Here's hoping Rachael loves her new necklace! 

Signs of spring: Polymer clay jewelry by Artfire Artisans

I am about "this close" to turning on the air conditioning today!  I guess spring is here in Maryland.  At least, I hope it is, because I am not a fan of winter.  In honor of this lovely weather, I would like to feature some lovely work by a few of my fellow guild members from the Polymer Clay Smooshers Guild on Artfire.

First, I found this gorgeous necklace by member Averilpam:

Disc Bead Necklace in shades of blue, brown, cream

I love the beautiful sky blue color of the disc beads and the contrast with the brown beads, plus the organic feel of the disc beads that she created for this piece.  That blue color just sings "spring" to me!

Next, I came upon this lovely retro styled flower pendant by Christina Kosinski Designs: 

Retro Necklace with flowers

She describes this pendant as having a retro, hippie, 1970 style and I agree!  I am always a fan of vintage inspired jewelry creations and I think she really captured that 70's feeling in a modern and creative piece of jewelry.  

Finally, in honor of spring, I found this lovely flower necklace by Strange Whimsy:

Pink, red double petal flower necklace

This pendant reminds me of a dogwood blossom, and that is one of my fondest spring memories from my childhood in Louisville, KY.  I really love the pretty, soft colors she used in this, as well as the sculptural effects of the petals.  

I hope spring is here to stay!

Chelsea Rendon modeling Kathryn Designs at GBK Oscars Luxury Gift Lounge

I am so honored that beautiful Chelsea Rendon loved my display piece at the GBK Oscars Gift Lounge so much, she chose to wear it for a photograph at the event!

I will be sending her this display piece in addition to the necklace she received in her swag bag.

Chelsea Rendon is best known for her role in the Oscar Nominated movie, "A Better Life".  Demian Bichir, who plays Carlos Galindo in the movie, was nominated for Best Actor! Chelsea was also in the movie "Nine Lives" and has been in episodes of "Flash Forward" and "Judging Amy."

Heart Necklace, Kathryn Designs Curve Collection

Stay tuned for more updates regarding the gift lounge and upcoming events for Kathryn Designs. We will be participating in a very special Mother's Day Gift bag for celebrity mothers this May.  We are also going to be participating in a great charity event for the organization Just for Girls in Manatee County, Florida.  They provide developmental, educational, and preventative services for teen girls to help them stay safe and succeed in life.  They are hosting a fashion show on March 10, and one of the models will be sporting jewelry by Kathryn Designs.  The same jewelry will be up for bidding at their silent auction event in May. 

Kathryn Designs

Kathryn Designs Featured at GBK Oscars Gift Lounge- Part One

  Displaying my work and creating 100 necklaces from my Open Locket Collection for the GBK Oscars Gift Lounge was a remarkable experience. From a business standpoint,  I gained a tremendous knowledge about creating my work in larger quantities, while maintaining a "one of a kind" appeal.  Valerie (founder) and Nikki (managing partner) of The Artisan Group did an amazing job at every aspect of planning for the event, providing feedback and guidance, and making sure each member was well represented at the event.

Here is a photo of The Artisan Group's Display:

The Artisan Group at GBK Oscars Gift Lounge

As you can see, it looked amazing!  Here is a little close up peek at my display pieces:

Kathryn Designs' Display Jewelry at GBK Gift Lounge

I was glued to my iPad during both days of the event, as Valerie was posting updates about some of the celebrities who visited the display and picked up swag bags.  To name a few:  Melissa McCarthy, Kevin Nealon, Marcia Gay Hardin, Dermot Mulroney, Hector Elizondo, Penelope Ann Miller, Kristi Lauren, Frankie Muniz, Penny Marshall, Cloris Leachman, Josh Sussman, Tess Hunt, Reshma Shetty, and Jon Bernthal (oh boy, I am big Walking Dead fan, but I doubt he wanted to pose with my jewelry!!)

I got great feedback on Twitter from Jane Emery of LA's The Place, Los Angeles Magazine!  

Twitter / Jane Emery: @KathrynJewelry @theartisa ...

twitter.com

‎@KathrynJewelry @theartisangroup Very imaginative and nice~! Adored it!

I will find out this week which celebrity posed with my display piece!  In the meantime, I got word that the lovely Chelsea Rendon, of the movies "A Better Life" and "Nine Lives" loved my work and was interested in my display piece, so I will be sending it to her! 

Chelsea has also been featured on the television shows "Flash Forward" and "Judging Amy"

Chelsea Rendon on IMDB

More to come!  Thanks for reading and all the support during this journey!

Countdown to GBK's Oscars Gift Lounge, and Introducing Melissa, Modeling My Jewelry

In a few days, I will be anxiously awaiting word from The Artisan Group about the GBK Oscars Gift Lounge.  I am so excited for everyone who is participating in this event, and hope we all get lots of exposure for our handmade products.  All the hard work is done on my part. Now it is just a matter of waiting and letting Valerie and Nikki from The Artisan Group work their magic at the Gift Lounge this weekend!

In the meantime, I am excited to share a few of my first professionally modeled jewelry photographs.
Thank you to the gorgeous Melissa for making my Open Locket Necklace, ( featured in the Swag Bags)  and teardrop earrings look so great!

Also, a very special thank you to Sweet Grace Models and Cupcake Sprinkles for making this possible!
I cannot help myself, so I am going to share a few more photos:

I was so excited to use Melissa's picture in my online Press Release as well.

 I would like to share a sneak peek at the necklace I will be gifting at the Press and attendees at the MTV Movie Awards industry mixer this spring (2012).  This necklace will also be included in special Mother's Day gift bags provided to celebrity moms such as Beyonce, Jessica Simpson, and Jennifer Garner via The Artisan Group!  Look for this new line to be in my Artfire shop soon!  I will be posting in more detail about these fabulous opportunities after the Oscars :)