Bianca Rosen has always had a passion for both art and nature. which is brilliantly showcased through her beautiful paintings. She's a Canadian artist with a degree in Industrial Design. Throughout her childhood and during her studies, art was a stress releaser and hobby.
Today, Bianca is a full-time freelance artist.
We love Bianca's style so much that we couldn't resist asking her to create a piece inspired by our jewelry. With colors of natural gemstones and delicate, feminine design, her artwork embodies a similar energy of many of our pieces.
To see more of her work visit her instagram page @ArtbyBianca or her website.
I have always been passionate about nature and spending time in the garden with my mother when I was little. Watching tiny green plants turn into spectacular multi-colored blooms always fascinated me because of the ever-changing colors and shapes. It became my primary goal to capture these vibrant colors through my work!
First thing I like to do in the morning when I wake up is spend a few minutes cuddling my puppy, Patches! It may sound crazy to hear, but he really helps me start the day on a positive note. After that I'll make some breakfast and get to work - either painting or preparing prints for customers!
I love listening to very melodic music while painting. I love both classical and electronic music very much for that reason - they are extremely musical and don't have lyrics which means I can still focus on my art.
I have been painting ever since I could hold a brush! This passion for the arts started off with planting flowers, making bouquets for the dinning table, drawing, pottery, beading etc. I have always loved the arts in general! I got serious about painting on my 13th birthday when my mother gifted me a beautiful set of oil paints - that was the beginning of my focus on painting!
The three most important items for me are always a small notebook, a pencil and an eraser. These are always necessary in all my bags for when I get spontaneous ideas when I'm not in my studio.
I wouldn't really call it routine, but I definitely need to spend at least a few hours per week in nature. I find this helps me clear my mind and reorganize my thoughts. For this reason, I usually spend my weekends up north either hiking, kayaking, or painting in the forest when weather permits.
I love all your work! It is impossible to choose one piece because they are all unique pieces of art... All are so special!! :)
My favorite place to shop is definitely the art store! I make it a goal to discover new art stores every time I travel to new places. It's actually one of the most exciting parts about discovering a new city for me!
If you are passionate and you work hard, things will always happen for you! Keep pushing yourself outside your comfort zone as that is how you will grow in what you love to do.
My favorite piece I have ever created is this acrylic on canvas closeup of a peony! I have it hanging above my sofa - one of my only pieces that is not for sale! :)
]]>Katie Schuppler has always had an eye for fashion and styling, but it was the aesthetic of her blog and Instagram account that first caught our eye. From look books and personal styling, to closet clean outs and an impressive online presence, Katie has created a style empire that everyone can admire and find inspiration in.
Starting as a style consultant at a boutique and studying Fashion Merchandise Management in college, Katie began perfecting her eye for styling. She now runs her own styling and fashion consulting business and is a contributing writer for Chicago Woman Magazine. We love following her online as a fashion influencer and especially love to see how she styles her La Kaiser pieces! Featured in the Chicago Tribune and named as one of the best personal stylist in Chicago, we can't wait to see what she'll do next.
My favorite part about my job/business is that I can really help people gain confidence through how they dress. Many clients will reach out to me when they are going through a new phase in life and helping them transition through that really is fulfilling.
I have always loved fashion, but I really got into it when I started working in retail. I worked at Victoria’s Secret for a few years and then a Women’s Boutique in Milwaukee called Fred during and after I was in college for my fashion and business degree. The blogging part began while working at Fred by having my blog on their website for styling tips and tricks!
Oh gosh, hmmmm lots of wish list items! Moncler puffer, nude Louboutins, versatile trench coat, chunky cozy sweaters, and liquid leggings.
The Rainbow Moonstone Lovers Stack
Katie is wearing our Rainbow Moonstone & Opal Wing Climbers paired with our Rose Gold Snowflake ring
Silver metallic for sure
I always love Nordstrom, but I love local stores as well like Sara Jane, Lori’s, Tribeca, and of course La Kaiser :)
The Chicago Diner
I love to catch up on emails and blog while watching basically anything on Bravo!
My Yorkie, Wilbur :)
I am a big beauty junkie, I love to try new products and play with different treatments. But I use a cleanser morning and night, hyaluronic acid serum in the morning followed by a good eye cream and finished with a moisturizing cream. Nighttime is the same except swap out the hyaluronic acid for a retinol serum.
For inquiries and more information about working withe Katie, visit her at www.fashionstylingchicago.com!
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Chicago blogger and marketing genius Johanna Grange is a Chicago girl through and through and in her words: "Only left to attend the University of Iowa and then ran right back!"
Johanna launched Oak Street Social with her partner in 2013: A full service social media marketing agency from content creation to photography to execution. She resides in the Northshore with husband, two gorgeous daughters and puppy, Eloise.
She also has literally jaw dropping style and knows how to rock stilettos, leopard print and La Kaiser stacking rings!! Here is a glimpse into her world of blogging, fashion and family & how to flawlessly rock that 70's look (yes, you do have to subscribe to another Blog and follow her on Instagram, deal with it.)
It was nine years ago and I was working in the digital space in new business development. I graduated with a journalism degree and I was truly craving a creative outlet for my writing. One night I opened up a blogging platform and just created a site and started journaling my opinions, thoughts and feelings during a particularly rough patch in my life. That was then and I've never stopped. It's a virtual diary of my life ranging from getting married to having babies, always fashion, to travel and parenting. It filled a huge void in my life with lovely people, friendships and collaborations that I am forever grateful for.
Featured:
Opal & Diamond Window Into Dreamland Pendant
It's really changed in the last year. I literally just purged my entire closet and have opted for quality over quantity. Goodwill and Poshmark have kept me very busy. I have completely gravitated towards a wardrobe of blacks and whites with an edgy, urban vibe. I'm not afraid of prints but neutrality and versatility are paramount. I don't take myself seriously as I am a Gemini thru and thru.
Hmmmm. Tough. I love Topshop. I love Eskell. I never tire of the Gucci store on Michigan and I am a big Zara frequenter. I am not heavy on one boutique but I love boutiques and shopping local. They all have a special personality. These days, I spend most of my loot shopping online though. It's all about efficiency.
I can answer this! IT Cosmetics Cleansing Balm. It melts off your makeup without the drying effect. Just massage and wash the day off followed by any rose spray toner and IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Cream. Once a week I use Origins Clay Mask to suck out the toxins. I am a simple woman. But I ALWAYS wash my face!
I work out 5x's a week for 30-40 minutes. Weights interspersed with SPIN. It helps me stay sane; peace of mind.
Oh gosh. Long story but we met at a party when we were 18 and found out we were attending the same university. I tracked him down and fell in love with him but he wanted nothing to do with me. He was a slow learner. We got married in our 30's...see what I mean?
I don't know that I balance as much as I cram! My best work is done in the evenings while I run to meetings, the office and shoots during the day. I don't sleep all that much but I am a night owl for life now. Conversely, I can get a lot done in the morning when the house is quiet. I guess you just have to know what can wait and what is a priority.
I work out and I drink wine with my husband. All is right in the world.
Goosefoot
Second Season of This Is Us, Ozark and The Sinner.
Too many to list but right now: India, Greece and Croatia.
Hands down the stackable rings. I cannot get enough of all the gold pieces.
Above:
14kt Gold Pink Morganite & Diamond Butterfly Ring
14kt Gold Diamond Adele Ring
14kt Gold Diamond Princess Elle Band
14kt Gold Lilac Quartz & Diamond Aphrodite Shield Ring
Entitled "Our Stars Are Aligned" the shoot involved a large number of contributors to make it come together beautifully. These talented artists, designers and organizers are listed at the end of the post.
Photography: Wilde Company @wildecompany
Makeup and Hair: Katie-Laine Thornton @makeupbykatielaine
Cake: Oh Crumbs Bakery @ohcrumbsbakerytn
Flowers: Stella Rose Floral @stellarosefloral
Papergoods and calligraphy: Fanciful Ink @fancifulink
Planning & Design: Christina Logan Design @christinaloganevents
Bridal Attire: Modern Trousseau (Designer: Callie Tein) @moderntrousseaunashville
Bridesmaid gown: Bella Bridesmaid (Designer: Jenny Yoo) @bellabridesmaids @jennyyoonyc
Mensware: Oak Hall @oakhallnashville
Venue: The Estate at Cherokee Dock @cherokee.dock
Rentals: Music City Tents and Events @musiccitytents
Bartending: Concoctions Bartending @concoctionsbartending
Bridal Jewelry: La Kaiser Jewelry @lakaiserjewelry
Guest Book Poster: Modern Map Art @modernmapart
Nails: Lacquer Lounge @thelacquerlounge.nashville
Bride: @lexiifitzgerald
Groom: @jakephill17
Bridesmaid: @whitneyduncant
Like many bakers, I started my business in home home after I discovered the exciting medium of cake for art while making birthday cakes for my children. The guests at our family parties were very complimentary and as my reputation spread and my skills progressed, people I didn’t know started asking me to make cakes for them! That’s when I thought I might have something here, and applied for the license and started taking clients!
Everywhere! Many cakes are standard tiered cakes with decorations that match a theme, but sometimes I carve the cake or chocolate into the shape of anything. I love incorporating techniques from other mediums, from pottery, jewelry, watercolor, architecture, or nature into my cakes.
Wedding cakes are wonderful because the occasion is so momentous. I feel privileged to be involved in my clients’ special day and know that the cake has ceremonial as well as artistic significance. The flavors can be really interesting too.
I also love love love gravity defying 3D cakes that look like something other than cake. You may have seen these on TV sometimes, when a cake looks like a turtle or a dinosaur, for example. I find the structure and decorating not only interesting, but I know whomever sees the cake will remember it. These are not your average desserts!
Probably my Floating Sphere cake. It had three spheres of cake that were enrobed in marbled fondant and had sugar flowers twisting around them. It was really tall (over 4 feet) and was a real showstopper.
Sugar flowers and decoration often take much longer than I anticipate. I spent more than 40 hours on some of more intricate cakes.
I’m still learning how to do that, as it’s a constant juggling act with three little ones. I try to be as efficient with my time as possible. I try to have some time to myself doing non-business stuff, but that has sometimes been the hardest part to accomplish. There have been many many times when I am burning the candle at both ends and running non fumes, but most of the time I feel it is still worth it.
When I have a particularly big order or busy week, my sister Suzy, who is a trained artist and has helped me from the beginning of this cake adventure, will come and help me. Usually I’m a one-woman Show!
Running, listening to podcasts and audio books, and scanning Pinterest for my next inspiration for cake are wonderful times for me!
I use simple Cetaphil face soap and make a paste with baking soda for a scrub. My friend who is a makeup artist and aesthetician helped me choose some moisturizers, since I was using the wrong stuff without realizing it. And sunscreen.
I love kitchen shops, like Pottery Barn. For clothes I love Talbots and Ann Taylor.
Me! I started this whole thing because I didn’t like the cakes I found around me to buy for my kids’ birthday. And I love trying out new flavors, so if it’s for me, I can really go experiment!
Hmmmm. Do I really have to choose? I love opals; they remind me of my mother. There are several pieces in the collection currently that remind me of a family heirloom too, with a star theme. I love the Opal & Diamond Dolce Vita Studs!
Easthill Tea Co-Founder and CMO Kate Wille moved to NYC with one suitcase in 2005 after graduating college to pursue a career in the fashion industry. After working with Conde Nast, Calvin Klein & Red Bull she began working for herself as a marketing consultant for start-ups and small businesses. A decade later, she decided to relocate to Rome to take a year off to travel.
The time away allowed her to realize her true passion and she returned to Chicago to work on her debut novel full-time. Once she finished the first two drafts from her childhood bedroom in the northwest suburbs, Kate decided to return to her career. She moved to Logan Square and met Keqi Meng who was looking for a business partner with a marketing background to launch a new tea brand, called Easthill Tea Co.
Peppered amongst our Q&A with Kate are some beautiful tea's she created inspired by some of our best selling Opal pieces. Not only are these authentic, delicious and visually beautiful drinks but each one transports you into that much needed moment of zen.
We offer an urban escape in Bucktown for guests to sit down and enjoy tea. We also offer traditional (though abbreviated) Chinese tea ceremonies in the form of tasting flights. Our tasting flights present multiple steeps of three different teas, use traditional teaware, and creates a dialogue between guests and our teatenders on the history and evolution of tea.
Most people think you can only steep tea once, but you can actually steep high quality loose leaf tea like ours many times.
The flavor changes with every steep, and should be enjoyed like wine, first by observing the color and consistency, second by smelling the aroma, and third by taking a sip. Also similar to wine, you have permission to "slurp" your tea. Pulling in oxygen as you drink will bring out the best flavor!
Easthill Tea is premium, high end single estate loose leaf tea sourced directly by Keqi from farms in China, Taiwan and Japan. We don't blend or add spices to change the flavor. It is served in it's original, natural state so you can taste the delicate flavors. We call this presentation 'straight-up' though we also have sugar and milk if you'd like to add!
Always matcha (I love the energy it gives me and the way it makes me feel!) and also our new floral infusion, herbal offerings. They are caffeine free, perfect for a soothing evening experience and beautiful to watch as the buds open up in water. My favorite is Rose.
It depends on how you prefer to drink it. Matcha "straight-up" should be sifted into a matcha bowl, and whisked with hot water using a traditional bamboo whisk. An iced matcha latte is my daily go to and easily made at home by layering ice, matcha and your milk of choice (I use macadamia nut milk) in a mason jar. Sweeten to taste with honey or maple syrup, shake, and enjoy!
I'd call my style relaxed minimal with a touch of retro. I shop online at Everlane, Reformation and Levis. Favorite Chicago boutiques are Penelopes in Wicker Park, Oak & Fort in Bucktown and Birds Eye Rule in Logan Square.
I began writing in 2016. My inspiration comes from my backyard growing up, and my parents' love story.
Brass by Xhenet Aliu. Only on chapter 7, but throughly enjoying her style and voice!
This is definitely the hardest question! I find something new every time I look at the site. Currently loving the Black Diamond Alinea Ring.
Above: White Diamond Alinea Ring, Pearl & Diamond Mirage Ring, Black Diamond Alinea Ring
Easthill Tea Co. is a Chicago-based company specializing in small batch, premium loose leaf tea. This is the ONLY authentic Tea bar and Boutique in Chicago.
We discovered Ladylegs through our Collaboration with Illustrator Maggie Enterrios! With iridescent sparkle and glitter designs that pair perfectly with our Gemstone Collection we HAD to get her into the La Kaiser Studio for some nail banter and more glitter! This girl is cool, edgy and adventurous, fun and vibrant. She is passionate about what she does, and is just downright fabulous at it!
I went to boarding school girls would barter for manicures...manicures for a cup of noodles etc! For prom the girls were like “can u do my” nails and I was like “can you do my hair”
I Moved to Chicago after college and met ‘now’ fiancé, Rio, 2 months after moving. At a bar, no job, social work jobs on South side, no car. He said “why don’t you do nails?” I went to nail school Pink Nail School and was like “I'm good at this!”
"My mum said that when I was younger I said I wanted to be a therapist manicurist. Why would you go to school to be a therapist to just do nails.
Being a beautician is frowned upon by a lot of people, that its not a real job but it is a real job, I’m building a business. I’m not just a nail artist. I’m a business woman and I get to be creative!"
As my name is Ellegra one of my nicknames was "Legs" and then it was "let's go and see the Nail Lady "Legs" and thus the name was born.
I want to own a nail art salon. Small and boutiquey. Clean, chic and instagramable! Pretty and happy where people want to go to gossip, hang out and drink wine. I'm in the middle of a project BYO Babe - its all about girl power and boss babes. I want to build a community where woman can network, share stories and tips and just empower and support each other through online chats, events, pop ups etc.
I am currently in a salon Roscoe Village called Nail Box which is a shared space with other artists.
I am getting married October 13th at Lacuna Lofts, a traditional quirky, edgy space with exposed brick, graffiti and art. We are having a breakfast buffet. The super talented / Maggie Enterrios designed our invitations incorporating elements of all the things we love and our story. Our colors are going to be jewels tones and blush - I'll be rocking some dark red lipstick and he’s wearing a red velvet suit.
I love doing anything Star related!
H&M, ASOS, Buffalo Exchange, Forever 21 and Love Free People and Anthropologie. I also am currently a bit obsessed got into Rebecca Minkoff, we just did an event with them and I love everything!
Volare for Italian. Its kinda touristy and not the prettiest but has the best gnocchi - I love pasta!
Definitely the Rainbow Moonstone and Diamond Horizon Ring! I only really wear rings, I’m a ring person and if I find a ring I love I will wear it forever.
ABOVE: Rainbow Moonstone & Diamond Horizon Ring and the Opal & Moonstone Ballerina Ring
BELOW: Opal Lovers Bridge Band, Opal & Diamond Woodland Fairytale Ring, Opal Caribbean Sunrise Ring, Opal & Diamond Stella Ring and the Gold Diamond Arc Ring
You can find LadyLegs rocking her newest and coolest nail design along with her Heart Sun Glasses and La Kaiser Jewels at the address below!
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Sarah offers a complete guide to living a healthy and holistic lifestyle with ease, sass and balance! Through her plant based recipes, healthy lifestyle tips, natural beauty tips and remedies, holistic health guides Sarah supports, motivates and educates us on how to live a complete Balanced Babe lifestyle!
Not only is Sarah's own journey inspiring, her style is fabulous and her skincare routine impeccable! We can learn a lot from this Babe so we asked her as may questions as possible!
I was living in Istanbul Turkey at the time working in the fashion industry and felt like I was at an all time low point. I've been modeling for 13 years at the point and had an unhealthy relationship with my body - smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, obsessing over what I ate, and not taking care of myself at all. I had an "ah-ha" moment while at a casting call when I was surrounded by a slew of women who were eyeing each other up and down competitively. There just wasn't any good vibes in the room (and for my personal experience, no good vibes in that whole industry). So I decided that day to rebel against my career and create a life for myself where I empowered other women and helped them be healthy and happy without all the pressure that's put on us by social media, society, and others we are around. The next day I decided to become a holistic nutrition and health coach and I started Balanced Babe that very moment!
Now that I'm pregnant I don't have the same routine as I did before - but I love taking Barre classes 2-3x a week, and I walk at LEAST 1.5 miles a day. I also try to eat as healthy as I can while still balancing out indulgences like chocolate chip cookies OMG - they're called Butter Bubba Cookies from Wholefoods - they are 60 calories each and freaking addicting!
I turned to all natural products since I've become pregnant - the product lines I love (and they aren't only for pregnant women) - Seabuck Wonders face cream (I use it as an eye cream and LEGIT notice my fine lines going away) - Belli Beauty Skin care has an awesome line of anti-blemish products without harsh ingredients - Probulin has a probiotic infused skincare line that really calms my skin (I get red easily). Here's my daily routine:
Wash my face with Probulin face wash
Spot treat with Belli Beauty Skincare blemish treatment
Put Seabuck Wonders face cream on under my eyes
Massage in Juice Beauty antioxidant serum
Top with Belli Beauty lightweight moisturizer
I wash, spot treat, and use the same eye cream + serum - but I switch to an evening Hyaluronic acid gel from Passports to Organics. It REALLY hydrates my skin overnight and minimizes my pores.
For treatments I like using clay masks, Glycolic Peels to help with blemishes, wrinkles, and blemish scars, or a hydrating Popolis Honey mask from LATHER.
One of my best friends worked with him and he invited her to a 4th of July party. She and I were discussing plans and she mentioned that her coworker was having a 4th gathering and that "I might think he's cute". I was like GIRL you've known me for 10+ years and just now you are telling me that about someone you've worked with for 5 years?! So I had her give him my number and he persuaded me to go on a date with him that same day - and the rest is history!
Well I locked in the venue and the date WAY in advance (we are planning a July 2019 wedding), and I'm currently on the hunt for food, decor, and a live band. I want a secret garden theme and envision a ton of botanicals everywhere!
OMG I don't even know where to begin! I'm just going to create a list:
Hands down Thailand! It's such an amazing place and a holistic health mecca!
Balanced Babe has been featured in Refinery 29, Nylon Magazine, Mind Body Green, Glossed & Found, Good Day Chicago FOX News, WGN Mid-Day News, Windy City Live ABC, WCIU You & Me This Morning and more!
With all that she is currently working on PLUS getting married and having a baby (this girl is amazing!) Sarah took the time to share her expert lifestyle tips with us! So all you La Kaiser babes... you now know where to go to get that epic inner glow!
https://balancedbabe.com/
IG: @balanced_babe
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"All Things Gold and Radiant"
Chicago based Illustrator Alexandra Bertakis blends her love for fashion and design with her passion for playfully capturing the strength and beauty of the female form. She presents us with eye catching illustrations of colorfully chic femininity, weaving in a little mystery and a lotta sass ;)
Inspired by the whole La Kaiser Collection, and applying her skillful use of shape and color, Ali created for us the perfect Chicago dreamscape full of rings, romance and sparkle. But before we get to that....
I l have been drawing since I can remember. I think my first muses were actually horses (crazy horse lover as a kid). But by grade school I remember having the desire to sketch everything and anything- from portraits of family members to blueprint designs of my dream kitchen. It was in my second year of college where I really started to find wonder and adoration of sketching the human anatomy and I think that was what started the path that I’m on today. I began to invest more time into anatomy. Within another year of experimentation and wandering at Savannah College of Art and Design, I developed a fascination and marvel for the beauty of the feminine figure. I eventually infused my love for fashion and illustrating and it has been an evolving journey since. I’ve focused here while exploring in different avenues, applying my designs to custom prints, stationery, logos, advertisements, and murals.
I pull inspiration from so many platforms so it’s hard to choose one. From a gleam radiating out of a jeweled ring, to the textured appliqué on a Marchesa gown, to the wispy hairstyle seen in a Vogue Magazine, to the curvature from a typographic heading on an invitation, I pull snippets and styles to formulate ideas, themes and compositions.
Women and all the glorious components within the feminine world. It’s a fascination and wonder to see how women can hold such sophistication, glamour, delicacy and strength all at once. I always long to reiterate those exquisite traits in my figures. I accompany these muses of mine with fashion, nature, and city life scenes to create ambiance’s that reiterate the spunky, adventurous, always entertaining life of young women.
Something that relates to food or fashion. I absolutely love cooking, baking, and venturing out to new restaurants in the city to explore new cuisines and dining experiences. When I’m not doing that I’m browsing the city shop windows and flipping through the latest and greatest releases of designer collections.
There is nothing more soothing to me than being by the water. I grew up on a lake and it was always my go-to for unwinding and calming my mind. Whether I’m sitting on the shore or waisting a day away in the sunshine on a boat, the water will always hold a special release and ease.
Every day I wake up to see something, someone or someplace that I did not see the day before. I cherish the wonder and surprise of the city, with an endless possibility to spruce up the liveliness of your day, wherever and whenever.
That’s a tough one... But I would have to choose Revolve. I go weak in the knees every time I open their new arrivals page :/
Curl cream, Luna and Louie my sweet pups, Joe Malone’s Myrrh & Tonka Perfume, olives, and of course my amazing family.
I’m beyond thrilled to finally pull out the summer dresses and anything white. I know summer is all about colors but white is my favorite to wear.
(Featured and Ali's own) The 14KT Gold Opal and Diamond Ice Queen Ring
The Opal and Diamond Wing Ear Climbers
The Labradorite and Diamond Silver Linings Pendant
Ali's illustration captures the soft, delicate romantic tones of the 'made in Chicago' La Kaiser Collection. We are honored to have worked with such a talented and committed artist who's own sparkle and radiance can be seen in everything she draws!
Want to see more by Ali and have her draw something beautiful for you?! Here's her website: www.alexandranbertakis.com
Product Photography by Jenni Dowie
]]>Shout out to Chicago based Nail Artist Ladylegs for this so so pretty Diamond and Opal Inspired Nail design!!
We asked Maggie to tell us as much as possible about her creative process, her advice to aspiring artists and most importantly her new book AND favorite La Kaiser Stack!!
Her inspiration:
I work from home, which is certainly a luxury (athleisure all day, every day!) but it also can get stir crazy if you don’t build in some outside time and activities. I like to really buckle down and work for long stretches of time, so I typically allow myself from 6am - 7:30 am to go to the gym, or go for a walk with my neighborhood girlfriends. Coffee is extremely important to me, so the ritual of listening to a podcast and drinking a cup of coffee in the mornings is something I also cherish.
It really depends on the day and whether I need to relax or kick myself into gear. As I answer this, I’m listening to Charles Bradley, and I do tend to listen to a lot of soul and R&B in general. Lifetime favorites are Jenny Lewis, Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie and Arcade Fire. My absolute favorite album right now is Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett’s ‘Lotta Sea Lice’. I have been listening on repeat for months.
I am the ultimate secret-keeper, but I will tell you that one of my upcoming projects is my favorite yet! Before that, working with Apple was huge for me. I created work for them and was featured as an illustrator for their advertising campaign of the iPad Pro 9.7, and I’ve also taught some illustration demos at the Michigan Avenue store(s)!
My first book, Nature Observer, is a completely new type of guided journal. It’s a year-long dot-grid book that is comprised of beautifully illustrated calendars (fill-in-your-own dates, so it works any year!), goal trackers, weekly planners and writing prompts meant to spark your creativity. Nature Observer follows the seasons and encourages you to organize your daily life while appreciating and exploring the outdoors on a constant basis. It’s for sale everywhere books are sold, or you can find out more at littlepatterns.com/natureobserver/. And fun news, I’m working on my second book, Gather, with the same publisher, Timber Press, right now!
I’m all about a ring stack. I wear no fewer than 5 rings on a daily basis, but I also like to have a lower profile height so my hands are free to draw. That’s why I love the interplay of textures and stones in the Birds of a Feather stacking ring. Special shout out to all of the ear climbers as well - that is such a cool look!
THANK YOU MAGGIE!!
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The 'La Kaiser' contemporary gem stone and diamond Collection is distinguished by its simplicity, delicate details and dreamlike sophistication. Soft feminine tones are complimented by bright pops of color.
With Swiss roots and a South African upbringing there is a unique playful elegance to Cindy's designs as European minimalism is juxtaposed with the vibrant energy of South Africa.
Cindy's passion and commitment to perfection is reflected in every piece she brings to life. Here she talks about her journey and what she has discovered along the way.
I grew up in Zimbabwe and moved to Cape Town when I was 18 to study Jewelry and Metal Design. After receiving my BA at age 23 I decided to move to LA, attracted by its cool, artsy, creative scene. I began work in the fashion industry apprenticing for a jewelry designer. He created bold, masculine statement pieces. He also specialized in extravagant costume design for celebrities and events. We styled Black Eyed Peas Fergie in intense bling (LA Times described it as "butterfly-shaped battle armor") for the Super Bowl Half Time Show!
I began experimenting with my own designs, starting off with chunkier pieces and using mainly crystals. I realized however that people just gravitate towards gem stones, especially opals! Everyone loves opals! I moved towards a more delicate aesthetic and established my overall look.
I visit my family often in Switzerland and love traveling throughout Europe. My inspirational is definitely drawn from the minimalism, clean lines and fresh simplicity of many European cities.
Definitely my specific use of gem stones to achieve a certain look. I try to combine gems and diamonds to keep the overall design soft and neutral yet eye catching. I focus on pairing different colors of stones that have unique sheens and flashes of color.
To begin with the overall design in mind and then place fabrication into the hands of others is definitely a risk. When working with another jeweler the overall result can be spectacular or it could fail completely!
It is so rewarding when a design comes to fruition and people love it!
It is a challenge to keep on growing as there is a constant pressure to produce. People always want to see more from you, They want to see what you are going to do next. The whole process can be bit of a rollercoaster!
Persistence! Persistence! Persistence! Unfortunately any emerging designers are not really noticed or taken that seriously when they start out. You have to keep on hammering through and most importantly you have to respond to your customers and listen to their feedback. You can’t be stubborn just because you like a design, You have to bring your customers into your own work.
Definitely opals and moonstones. I personally just love these two gem stones! I am also a big fan of labradorite and abalone. All of these stones have mixes of color within them which makes them so beautiful to work with and fuels my passion to keep designing. I also love diamonds!
The Solo Diamond Pendant is a favorite. Its delicate, elegant and timeless. The Warrior Shield Ring is one of my favorite rings. It has just enough masculinity to make it edgy whilst still maintaining a degree of delicacy with its tiny diamonds.
Enjoying the simple things in life and viewing them as rich and memorable experiences. Traveling especially is always a luxury to me as I get to experience different cultures and meet amazing people along the way.
Hiking and walks by the Lake. I visit my brother often in Lake Geneva and love the Sleeping Bear Dunes!
The winters! I like snow, sweaters, boots… all things winter! Also summertime thunderstorms!