Day of the Dead Jewelry

Crafty Chica: Kathy Cano-Murillo Dia de los Muertos Bracelet

Crafty Chica: Kathy Cano-Murillo Dia de los Muertos Pin

Mystic Bohemian Collage Necklace

Grigio Design Numerus 13 Necklace

Illustrated Ink Wood Medallion Necklace

Ilaments Jewelry Necklace

The designs above can be found on the websites and Etsy stores of the talented artists: Kathy Cano-Murillo the Crafty Chica,  Mystic Bohemian, Grigio Design,  Illustrated Ink and Ilaments Jewelry.

The Day of the Dead, or el Dia de los Muertos, is a traditional holiday celebrated by Mexicans and Mexican Americans living throughout North America. Day of the Dead is celebrated on two days, November 1st and 2nd, to remember friends and family members who have passed away. Celebrants honor departed loved ones by creating a decorative altar to commemorate their lives, enjoying a feast with their favorite foods and visiting the family cemetery to pay respects.

The rich cultural traditions surrounding Day of the Dead have yielded a vast array of  handicrafts and jewelry. The skulls, or calaveras, and skeletons, or calacas, can seem a bit macabre to the uninitiated. But, after learning about the vibrant traditions and heartfelt communion with ancestors that define the Day of the Dead it is easy to see the humor and unique aesthetic of el Dia de los Muertos. Far from a somber affair, Day of the Dead is indeed a celebration of life, love and family. Gatherings are full of laughter and fond nostalgia for people who are truly missed.

I adore Latino arts and handicrafts such as vibrantly painted talavera tiles, the small milagro prayer ornaments or the beautiful perforated tin work housewares. Feed your soul by learning about a beautiful cultural celebration and remember your dearly departed fondly with a funny story or a raised glass when you wear these colorful creations.

RockLove: Breaking All the Rules

Everything about RockLove designer Allison Hourcade screams “ENERGY!” with a capital “E.” Her line is a frenetic compilation of original works and collaborations with edgy appeal. RockLove designer jewelry is casual and accessible with an emphasis on layered looks and iconic symbols.

I’ll admit it, when I first read about RockLove and her extensive product placement I had to go to the internet a dozen times to look things up. I never thought I would feel so old already! Skinny Puppy, Repo The Genetic Opera, Keana Teixera….who are these people? …Kat Von D, September Mourning, The Creep Show…Miley Cyrus, Fran Drescher, whew, at least I know a couple….the list goes on and on and on. Plus, she throws around words like “steampunk” and “emo.” Huh? This girl moves and shakes in circles I have never even heard of and she is so overrun with orders that she sells out of limited editions as fast as she releases them.

After I came to grips with the fact that I am not nearly so hip and trendy as I once believed, I learned that all these minor and major celebrities are part of underground music and counter culture scenes that have huge followings around the country. Not every jewelry designer dreams of being in Vogue after all. RockLove is rockin’ all over glossies like Bust, VenusZine, Fangoria, Gothic Beauty and Rebel Rodz. Instead of traditional trade shows like JCK and New York Gift she made a killing at Ink-N-Iron and the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly weekend.

Hourcade is a talented wax carver and caster with a penchant for … Click the red button below to continue reading

Anna Balkan: Passionate About Life & Style

Call it nerve, vivacity or chutzpah. Whatever word you choose, it is clear that independent jewelry designers have something special that drives them to succeed. All entrepreneurs struggle against the tide of risk and uncertainty on a daily basis. Those who succeed have my utmost respect and admiration. Anna Balkan is one of those designers.

Anna Balkan has endured more adversity than most design entrepreneurs, which is saying a lot. She arrived to the United States from Russia seventeen years ago without any money or English language skills.From this humble beginning, Balkan tenaciously fought for a better life by dedicating herself to hard work, a college education, a consulting job with a prestigious firm and now the creation of her own business. When you are with her you cannot help but be impressed by her energy and charisma. Her passion for life is evident in her story, her tireless work for her business and, of course, her designs.

Anna Balkan designer jewelry is feminine and colorful. Each piece is created from a multitude of gems and pearls bound together with intricate wire work. Each piece exudes the same verve as Balkan herself. Her line is enormous with jewelry pieces available in every color combination under the sun. Each pretty bauble begs to be worn with a sun dress or evening gown. Or, adding an Anna Balkan piece to a business ensemble is the perfect way to flash elegant style along with conservative attire. Balkan’s work has been featured in national fashion magazines and is for sale at fine boutiques around the country.

But Balkan’s  story does not end there. While her career in jewelry design continues to flourish, Balkan has developed a new flair for philanthropy. She sits on the board for STOP International, a non-profit dedicated to stopping human sex trafficking and providing social services to rescued victims. This worthy cause is close to her heart since so many immigrants from her native Russia are exploited through trafficking around the world. Anna Balkan donates 10% of profits to  STOP International. She has also designed a signature necklace to raise awareness and donations for the charity.

Anna Balkan was a 2009 finalist in the Jewelry Design Business Development Grant competition sponsored by Halstead Bead, Inc.