A Year Of Design.....In Progress

Cherish Necklace

A couple of years ago, I designed a theatre token necklace as a prototype that was a reproduction of antique opera tokens - with a twist.  During the process of the design, I realized that it would be much more fun to integrate some current customized tokens using the antique opera token format.  As a result, I have encouraged my customers to customize their tokens for this necklace as a celebration of their lives - acknowledging honors, special events, hobbies and interests.  The necklace has always been a big success and each of the necklaces are uniquely one-of-a-kind as they represent the individual owner’s lives.

About a year ago, I had an inquiry about this necklace from a charming gal from Kansas.  As it turned out, she was visiting the Phoenix area and we had a chance to meet during her visit.  It was one of those moments when you immediately have a strong connection with someone you just met and we  happily chatted for hours about so many different subjects.  We discussed the token necklace and she came away realizing the tokens could be customized to be so much more than what she was seeing on the prototype necklace.  That is when the collaborative creative process really took flight.  Rather than simply add text to her tokens, she requested line drawings that symbolized significant events in her life.

As you can see from the photos, this has been a labor of love.  Even though the necklace has not reached 13 tokens or been assembled just yet - her necklace is the most unique and customized necklace I have done thus far.  She and I have been able to collaborate together, sharing the same vision for a year.  When she gets stumped as to how we can execute an idea, she emails and. . . between the two of us. . . a creative solution is just around the corner.

If you ask me why I am posting about an unfinished design, it is to exemplify what can be done when you think outside the box.  To encourage customers to request designs that are as unique as our fingerprints.  To NOT settle for the ordinary and expected.

On my end, there has been another added bonus.  Not only have I been part of a great collaboration to create a very unique necklace design, but I have also gained a lovely friend who has been an absolute delight to work with!  I cannot wait for her next visit to Phoenix for show and tell!

"If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary."      

Jim Rohn

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Doozy Of A Druzy

Devon Necklace

Those enchanting and unique mineral specimen beads known as “druzys” -  sprinkled with glistening colored confectionary sugar-like crystals are still hot on the radar of every fashionista.  If you don’t already have some of these mesmerizing stones in your jewelry armoire - they are a must have for fall and winter.  Their precious nature is upended by their raw and wild geologic cuts and they are perfect for elegant yet casual cashmere sweaters and suede skirts.

Zara Necklace 

I was awestruck when I found a resource that had a vast selection of fossilized druzy shells from a private collection - all found in the dusty and dry sea bed that we now call the Sahara Desert.

Mishell Necklace

Minerals deposited in the remnants of shells have naturally created these one-of-a-kind geologic wonders - which continue to be a curiosity - even today.

Peony Necklace

Jeannie Bracelet

Marching along the fashion route with the ever popularity druzy stones are geodes - one of nature’s true curiosities.  Geodes tell an spell-binding story.  They begin their life as little round geologic formations - just as any ordinary rock.  However, those clever geologists discovered that some of these seemingly ordinary rocks held a very dramatic story.

Lori Earrings 

I don’t know how it happened - by accident or design - but when these seemingly ordinary rocks are gently hand-cleaved - they break apart revealing a dazzling display of crystals safely ensconced within a dimpled nest.  The smallest of these orbs have become beautiful sets in a variety of colors, which I use for earrings.

Panisi Earrings

Chantal II Earrings

Natalie Earrings

Gracie Geode Earrings

Victoria Earrings

Coco Earrings

I hope you are just as enchanted by these little curiosities of nature as I have been.

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“Yes, Officer, I Am An Accessory To. . .

Jeannie Bracelet 
Camille Grande Carpetbag

. . .Beautiful Fall Fashions.  But, you should know - I do have an accomplice - Mary Kaiser Designs!”

I  have known about Mary Kaiser’s gorgeous handbag designs for  20+ years. I was first introduced to her clever line at the Atlanta Mart when I was buying for my store.  Mary's designs are made  of the finest home furnishings fabrics and leathers, including Scalamandre, Clarence House & Lee Jofa - they are then embellished with a variety of trimmings including vintage ribbons and braids, velvet flowers, rhinestones, French jacquard trims, buttons and high quality Italian brass & leather hardware.  

Fast forward many years later and we happily reconnected again when I purchased a wonderful handbag from her that others love to call my “Mary Poppins Carpetbag”.  I unwittingly became one of Mary’s best PR agents - giving out her cards and website info to total strangers - a stylist from the Four Seasons Beverly Hills to the fashion mecca of Boston - Newbury Street.

Brezza Dolce Antique Vinaigrette Necklace 
Mary Bag #3

If you are looking to perk up an outfit - why not add a great piece of jewelry and one of Mary’s stunning and one-of-a-kind handbags.  Here. .  I have already done some of the homework for you.

Adorned Layering Necklace Set
Mary Bag #2

Natalie Earrings
Bebe Carpetbag #4

Cherish Collection
Bella Grande Carpetbag

Pastilles Bracelet
Aqua Rose Linen Tote

Nerissa Necklace
Mary Bag #6

Celeste Earrings
Nantucket Bebe Carpetbag

Pink Daisy Necklace
Caroline Grande Carpetbag

Violet Necklace
Lily Grande Carpetbag

Bryn Earrings
Bebe Carpetbag #6

Officer, If Mary and I are being brought in for questioning - perhaps we could at least  beautifully accessorize those dreary striped outfits and the orange jumpsuits!

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Summer Soiree Jewelry Sale

Custom Orders, Made-to-Order, Layaways & Prior Sales Are Not Included In This Sale

www.karensugarmandesigns.com

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Dust Storm Designs

In addition to being 110-115 degrees this past week - the Phoenix/Scottsdale area has been graced with not one, but two of these lovely dust storms!  For those of you that have never experienced this weather phenomena - consider yourself lucky.  They usually occur late in the day (rush hour is a favorite time) and kick up winds and DUST like you cannot imagine.

My faithful design assistants - Asher & Olivia

Of course, both my little King Charles Spaniels consider this the absolute best time to ring the bell indicating they need to go outside - ugh!  They get so excited by the wind blowing everything around the yard (makes for a great game of “chase”) and don’t even seem to mind all the dust in their faces.  These dust storms or “Haboobs” usually occur right after I have had the patio furniture dusted and vacuumed.  I guess it is the law of probability - like when you finally have your car washed and it rains the same day!

The best plan of action when a storm approaches is stay inside and pray that the storm does not knock out your electricity and AC!  It is also a good time to work on new jewelry designs.

Sconset Market - filled with little gourmet goodies.

Hydrangeas grow in profusion on Nantucket

Sadly, this magnificent sculpture will be washed out to sea at high tide

Can you tell I have been dreaming of past summers spent on Nantucket?  Walking down to the Sconset Market early in the morning to pick up the newspaper and a pastry for breakfast - running into town to pick up some fresh flowers for guests arriving on the next ferry and strolling along Jetties’ Beach while enjoying some of the amazing sand sculptures.

Judy Dinnick's Sailor's Valentines are some of the most gorgeous I have ever seen.

Seychelles Sailor's Valentine Necklace consists of stick and baroque pearls and champagne citrine.  There is a glass crystal, but it is easier to photograph without!

It was during our 10 year sojourns to Nantucket that I discovered Sailor’s Valentines and I have been smitten ever since.  These little shell mosaic designs encased in old pocket watches allows me to  indulge two of my favorite things - shells and gemstones.

Sucrée Necklace - rough tourmaline nuggets and pink topaz

My last trip to the Tucson Gem Show resulted in finding some beautiful nuggets which I have been saving for a summer design.  Unique pink and green rough and organic tourmaline nuggets - several with crystals embedded in the nugget - are paired with delicate pink topaz rondelles to create a delicious necklace that looks good enough to eat!

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Shades of Gray - My Newest Captivation

via this Ivy House

Gottmanshofen Maria Heimsuchung Grisaille

Grisaille Painting Capitol Cupola Fine Art Print Christiane Schulze

via Fleaing France

I realize there are legions of women that have recently become captivated by the book - 50 Shades of Gray.  If you thought you would be reading some comments and thoughts about the book - I hate to disappoint.  No Missy, this is about another type of seduction - my growing interest into the world of gray or grisaille.

Christies - Late Louis XV Commode

French Empire Lamps en Grisaille with Scenes From Robinson Crusoe

Grisaille Beadwork - Trinity Antiques on Ruby Lane

via Lecurieux.com

Source Unknown

My little odyssey began about 8 years ago, when we were house-hunting in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area.  We came across a house that had a gorgeous lead-gray living room that I immediately fell in love with.  The memory of that stunning Living Room has stuck in my mind and greatly influenced my more recent renovation of my Kitchen/Family Room.

Antique French Enamel Lockets, Pendants & Watch - Sources Unknown

I recently came across some photos of gorgeous French enamel grisaille lockets and pendants which, of course, were already sold.  I was able to snag one that has yet to be made up, but the scarcity of this enamel technique got me thinking.  I have a growing collection of mourning lockets with glass on both sides that could make beautiful frames for hand-painted grisaille motifs.  The Elyse Locket is my first attempt at integrating the grisaille techinque into one of these mourning lockets.

Elyse Necklace - Emeralds, Green Onyx, Pyrite & Freshwater Pearls.
Recently Commissioned Grisaille Watercolor Putti in Edwardian Silver Paste Locket.

Back View of Elyse Necklace Features a Byzantine Gold Vermeil Cross
Floating in a Sea of 1.5cts. of Minuscule Emeralds

The necklace is composed of gorgeous emeralds and green onyx beads interspersed with gray pearls flanking bezel set pyrite accents stationed along the chain.  A precious hand-painted grisaille watercolor of a mischievous little Putti was recently commissioned to marry the charming folklore of it’s antique counterparts with a beautiful Edwardian double glazed silver paste locket.  This stunning locket, replete with a charming bow top, is a perfect frame to showcase the miniature art - which is a study in shades of gray.  However, there is a very unique surprise on the other side - a diminutive Byzantine cross in 24k gold vermeil, floating in a sea of minuscule emeralds. An emerald briolette capped with a profusion of textural gold vermeil rings, hangs delicately from the toggle clasp to make your exit just as dramatic as your entrance.

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