Designer Spotlight: Tracy Dungo of Kalaki Riot

When I first saw Tracy Dungo's jewelry line, Kalaki Riot, I was taken by its beachy vibe, the way it lends itself to layering, and the beauty revealed in its simplicity. Based out of New York City, but with a decidedly care-free vibe, Tracy's designs find have an organic feel and pair wonderfully with one another. 

Keep reading for more on Tracy's designer life and the inspiration behind her alluring designs.

1. Take us back to the beginning. How did you get into jewelry design and what, if any, is your training?

I never formally went to school for jewelry design but I took a jewelry making class in search of a creative outlet to my day job and was immediately hooked. Making those first couple designs come to life really was the coolest feeling. I spent most of my career working for a luxury retail brand and in publishing so those experiences really shaped my initial interest in creating a business around things I like to make and would wear.

2. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

A lot of things! Many times I’ll draw inspiration out of necessity. If I’m in need of a specific piece, like earrings I can wear every day, I’ll design some. I also love incorporating findings or concepts that I’ll discover on my travels, especially when I’m working a new collection. That’s a big reason why I love jewelry design- everything sort of becomes your own interpretation of whatever it was that originally inspired you.

3. Who would your dream client be?

All of my clients are dream clients! But I would probably freak out seeing Jessica Alba or the Olsen twins wearing my pieces. 

4. Being a jewelry designer, what do you like best about your job? What are some of the most challenging aspects of running your business?

How rewarding it is to see customers wearing and styling my work- it’s the coolest thing every time. As far as the actual business goes, I love being location independent and seeing the impact of the work I put in. In my previous careers, it almost felt like people would kill themselves over deadlines and projects and without seeing the end result or the impact that their work even had on the overall business at the end of the day. But now, I definitely see how things that I do (or don’t do) will affect my brand’s performance, which can definitely be challenging at times as well.

5. What is your typical day like? 

I’ll usually do benchwork in the morning so I can dedicate the rest of the day to meetings and the business side of my brand (i.e. marketing, partnerships, website, etc.). And I ship on specific days too (so I’m not running to the post office every day). It’s loosely structured but no two days are ever the same, which I love!

6. If you could go back and give your 20 year old self some advice, what would it be?

To identify your natural strengths and passions, and then strive to build a life around them so when the time comes, you can. 

Thanks Tracy! Looking forward to following along with your success and keeping my eye on your destination bar necklace - such a neat idea! 

Designer Spotlight: Monikia Hibbs // BFREND

I first found Monika Hibb's cute bracelet line through her blog, The Doctor's Closet. Her line of dainty,  feminine, friendship bracelets is aptly named BFREND. (Side note: could she come up with better names for her ventures?!) 

Monika seamlessly applies the same pretty aesthetic to both of her brands and this has earned her a huge following.  From perfectly styled photos of her new house on Instagram, to tweets about fun fashion events that she's attending, her aesthetic is well defined and leaves the rest of wanting more.

In an effort to get to the bottom of how she makes it all seem effortless while producing quality work on both her blog and with her jewelry line, I set out to interview Monika. She was kind enough to answer all of my burning questions about BFREND and left me hanging with a few others. Once you read her last answer, you too will be chomping at the bit for more.

Let's get into it! 

Take us back to the start: How did your jewelry line, BFREND, begin? Was it something you purposefully started out to do or was it one of those happy occurrences that just sort of evolved and took off? 

It's so funny how things start in life, most of the time very unexpected. I was not planning on starting a business at all. I was actually making some friendship bracelets at home and decided to give away two on my blog that month. Once I posted them I had a lot of requests to buy them... and that's pretty much how it all began!

What inspires BFREND and your designs? 

I love working with different colors and gold. My range is everything from chunky to simple and delicate depending what my mood is! 

What is your typical work day like? 

My day is so different EVERYDAY. Anything from working on BFREND orders to blogging for myself (and my followers of course) on thedoctorscloset.com. Some people might also not know that I am the main contributor for the Blush Bridal blog and ( yes, there is another 'and'....) work at as the events coordinator part time at The Hudson's Bay Company in downtown Vancouver! So you can just imagine how every day can be so diverse! I love being busy and kept on my toes!

What do you like best about being a jewelry designer? What are some of the challenges? 

I love creating a piece of jewelry that I can't find! It's definitely not easy to source everything I want or have imagined, which makes it a bit challenging! 

 
What advice would you give to other aspiring jewelry designers and bloggers on growing their business?  

Be yourself and create your own ideas! I think that is so important! Creating a brand that represents you and your passion will get you the furthest in life! 

Where do you see BFREND headed (or any fun future plans you can share with us)? 

I do have a little new business venture coming up! But it's still top secret. It's not exactly with BFREND... and that's all I can say! :) 

  

Thanks Monika! Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve next. And don't forget to shop BFREND here!

Designer Spotlight: Pennyroyal

Designer Tim Foster decided to leave the recording industry in 2006 after discovering a new passion for jewelry-making while creating a gift for his girlfriend.  What followed was Pennyroyal Studio and a slew of edgy, inspiring, handmade collections. Keep reading for more on Tim's career and insight into the life of a jewelry designer.

Let's start at the beginning. How did you get into jewelry design? Are you formally trained, self-taught, or some combination of the two? 

Before I was a designer, I worked in artist development and marketing at a major record company and after about 6 years I was looking for a way out as the industry was changing very quickly.  I made a Christmas gift for my girlfriend out of a penny from my birth year that I hammered into a rough shape and hung from a cord.   I loved the process of creating an object that was imperfect and meaningful and that started me on the path of becoming a designer full time.  I bought as many books as I could and watched videos online and started buying and improvising tools to teach myself how to work with silver.   One year later I left my job at the record company and launched the first version of the Pennyroyal website with just 7 designs.   Over the past 6 years, I've had some training in various techniques but for the most part I was self taught.   

What inspires your designs?

When I first started, all my designs were inspired by music. They were named after songs and often featured imagery from the songs they were inspired by like "Learning to Fly", "All You Need Is Love", and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". I've always compared my design process to the songwriting and recording process.   I like things to be a little bit imperfect so they have that handmade human quality. I've never been a fan of music that is overly produced and too polished, and I embrace that same philosophy in my jewelry design. These days my designs still embrace imperfection, but I find inspiration in a lot of different places.  It's very creatively freeing to allow yourself to be open to different types of inspiration.  My latest collection for women, called The Empire Collection was inspired by Art Deco art and architecture. It's a departure for me because I've never really done anything that involves so many straight lines, but the combination of my imperfect, handcrafted texture and the straight bold lines makes what I hope people think is a unique take on the style.  

 

I love how you also design jewelry for men. Many designers overlook this market. How is designing for men different and how has the feedback been?

Designing for men is really easy for me because, well... I am a man. So I just design stuff I would want to wear and lean on texture and simplicity. Designing for women is the more challenging one for me but I do a lot of research and I have some really great women in my life both personally and professionally who I bounce ideas off and make test designs for all the time.  

Being a jewelry designer, what do you like best about your job? What are some of the trials or toughest parts of running your own business?

My favorite thing about being a jewelry designer is the actual process of designing jewelry.  Whether it's working on a custom design for a customer or drawing and carving my own ideas, its easy to get lost in that process.  I also love the business side of things, so it's relatively easy to switch back and forth between the two whenever needed and that keeps me from getting burned out on one or the other.  I think running any kind of business is a very difficult thing to do, but when you love what you do it's easy to get up every day and face whatever challenges happen to come up.

What is your typical day like?

I don't really have a typical day.  I'm really into making lists, so the beginning of the day always starts with making the plan of attack.  After that, it's anybody's guess what might happen, but that's what keeps it interesting.  Some days I'm carving wax and sketching ideas, and dealing with website issues.  Other days I'm back and forth on email hashing out details of custom designs for individual customers.  Some days I'm in the car for a few hours driving around LA going to meetings, and some days I get a phone call or email in the middle of my plan that sends me off in a completely different direction.  

If you could go back and give your 20 year old self some advice, what would it be?

The only advice I would give to anyone who is 20 would be to embrace the mistakes you make in life and learn from them.  Nobody has a magic answer that will make you happy, or make you more money, or find you the perfect mate.  You just have to commit to your own journey, follow your instincts and make the best of whatever comes.  But also, I would tell my 20 year old self to invest everything you can in a new company called "Facebook".

Thanks Tim!

Designer Spotlight: Gabriela Artigas

I first came across Gabriela Artigas on Sincerely Jules' blog and was instantly taken by the stunning designs and unique, edgy pieces. After a little investigating on my own, I found her website and the many other beautiful pieces of jewelry she has to offer. I needed to know more. I reached out to Gabriela and she and co-owner and Sales Director, Tere Artigas, graciously answered my questions. Here is an inside look into the Gabriela Artigas jewelry line.

Take us back to the start. How did you get into jewelry design and what is your training? 

T: Everything started very unplanned, Gabriela was 21 leaving in Mexico City when our mom needed a necklace for a wedding, she didn't wanted to wear her usual jewels because the city wasn't at it's safest. We bought some gems and Gabriela made her a coral and silver necklace. The two of them came to LA for a little holiday and a recognized buyer bought that same necklace for our mom's neck, then we knew something was about to start. 

 

G: Tere has always been a sales person, she would sell everything to her friends, even my clothing when I was away! She enjoys the experience and the thrill to sell, that's why we make a great team. Together, we started running the company in 2008.  Before that it was me with my brother and my mom. It's been a family business but now is just the two of us. 

 

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

 

G: Everywhere. It's more about the experience than the inspiration. We try to do as many trips as possible and we drive a lot, so its pretty much from there that I get inspiration, from the laughter in the car, from the driving stories, to the places we visit. We are always researching new ways to have fun with pieces.

Who would your dream client be? 

T: All of our clients are really nice. When you are dealing with someone who is appreciating what you do, that speaks for it self.  The people that we deal with are people who have a lot in common with us and our aesthetics. We are thankful for that.

 

Being a jewelry designer, what do you like best about your job? What are some of the most challenging parts of running your own business?
 

Running your own business it's always very hard, it takes a lot time, money and effort. Whenever you are about to start something, think it through and start it with ambition, but always be planned and thoughtful.

 

Always keep in mind that you are never at the top, even if things are going great for you, sit back, breath enjoy where you are and keep working hard.  Remind yourself that you are never at the top, you always have to fight to get a little closer to it, but you never reach it. 

 

Don't take things for granted, Be humble to learn from others and from yours mistakes. 

 

What is your typical day like?

 

G: Work, work and work.

 

T: We wake up early, try to workout every morning if we are not exhausted, have a freshly squeezed juice and start or day. Believe me is not always fun to run a business, but at the end of the day it totally worth it! 

 

If you could go back and give your 20 year old self some advice, what would it be?

 

Enjoy it! Your 20's go so fast!

Thanks Gabriela and Tere! Please enjoy some photos of their favorite blogger-muse with her Gabriela Artigas jewels. All images from Sincerely Jules.

Designer Spotlight: Vale Jewelry

One day I made it my mission to find out who made Kelly Ripa's gold shark tooth necklace. Kelly wears a pretty, dainty shark tooth necklace most mornings on her show, and from the first time I saw the it, I instantly fell in love. I am not going to lie, it took a long time to successfully link Kelly Ripa to Vale jewelry.  But boy, am I glad that my search lead me to Ava and Eva Bai's beautiful jewelry line. Their jewelry arsenal extends way further than shark teeth and their professional attitudes and fun take on jewelry is refreshing and inspiring.

For more inspiration from the twin sisters, their gorgeous jewelry line, business philosophy, and celebrity clients, just keep reading!

We love being able to do what we love and never take for granted how lucky we truly are. There are certainly challenges to running one's own business, the toughest being time management.

Our days are usually unpredictable, while there is a typical arc for the mornings, afternoons, and evenings, it's this unpredictability that makes our work so fun and enjoyable. We often find ourselves purchasing raw materials in the morning; diamonds, gold, castings, findings, preparing for the day's work at the studio. Meeting private clients throughout the day is a big part of our work. We spend time at museums and reading to draw inspiration for new pieces. Sometimes we can spend hours hunched over drawing and designing our next collections. We also participate in many shopping events and then we're in the midst of selling and meeting our past, current and future clients.

Our obsession with fashion and accessories started at a young age. During our youth, we spent many summers together at our aunt's house in South Jersey, where days were pretty idyllic, where most afternoons were passed at the beach, time marked mainly by meals. To shake things up, we found
ourselves killing hours upon hours in the aisles of craft stores, discovering all the hidden joys of craft projects from building hummingbird houses to needlework to jewelry making. Our foray into jewelry
didn't pick up again until college where we ended up making pieces in our off-time, between exams and classes, for friends. We started getting random requests from friends of friends and had an inkling that perhaps we were on to something.

Post college, we opened up a store with some other designers just starting off in the lower east side, when it was just rows of bodegas, bars and clubs. The traffic never caught up with the neighborhood's growing trendiness until recently, but we decided to close after one year and start pitching to other stores. Soon our line was carried at over 90 shops and boutiques around the world.

We both love fashion that is wearable but still visually interesting and current. We are both passionate about continually and consistently designing a cohesive line that speaks to our idea of making jewelry that transcends fads and trends. We are lucky to have a really loyal clientele partly because of that.

We continue to travel often and extensively and consider it really important to remain open-minded during those travels. Our collections are constantly inspired from concepts, look and feel, and ideas from the many cultures and places we've been lucky to see and be a part of.

And of course, being in NY, you have this amazing access to so many artists. Every year, we do a collaboration with a local artist and it's such an amazing opportunity to see their work from a different light but also to then create this "love child" of sculpture, painting and jewelry!

We believe that accessorizing should be fun and easy. These pieces are like little art but also represent something that gives a woman a chance to be playful and create a personality, allowing her to finish her "look".

We design for the Vale girl in mind. She is a woman who enjoys classic as well as edgier styles but ultimately has fun with fashion. She knows her style and isn't tied down by any one trend, but instead is able to pull together looks and styles from everywhere to create a look that is uniquely her own. One days she'll be wearing leather tie-up boots with a skirt and another she's with her cocktail dress and heels.

We love working with stars and stylists but we find equally fun to work with our "every girl" client. You realize after a while that they are just women like the rest of us who enjoy looking good and taking care of themselves. And we definitely still find it flattering to see that given their access to so much fashion and freebies, that they still choose to buy from us directly. Interaction and staying in touch with our clientele is key for us. Despite having a sales staff, we continue to participate in our sample sale, fundraising and private client events because we love meeting the women and men that purchase our jewelry and it's always a joy to see the pieces being worn and enjoyed! It's something we find constantly exciting.

As twins, we have this great connection but are so incredibly different in many ways. There is a dynamic there that has really made it a perfect union. However, regardless of that fact, working with any family member adds additional challenges. You're much more comfortable with one another but that comfort level can lead to taking one another for granted. Key to a working "family" business is respect, space and role management. Respect one another, give one another space and assign roles within the business.

Like any business, it's only as strong as those running it. Each partner has a strength and they should focus on managing those aspects of the business where they are good at handling.

A big part of being businesswomen who are also on the creative side is knowing when to be strong and stand by your decisions as well as ensure our business has "heart" and still exist for the original reason for which we started it. Ultimately, patience and knowing which battles to pick is probably the advice we'll give. Knowing that some things are worth fighting for and others are not.

 Thanks Ava + Eva, you're a real inspiration! 

Designer Spotlight: Alimonada

Heidi An has worked for some seriously cool fashion companies (you probably shop there monthly) and now focuses her time and energy into her beautiful and affordable jewelry line, Alimonada. Handmade in Brooklyn, Heidi uses beautiful materials that are handpicked from her native Brazil. What really made an impact on me was that she generously donates 10% of all proceeds to “Casa de Graca” (Grace House), a temporary shelter for local girls from underprivileged families in Brazil.  Keep reading to learn more about the creative and generous designer behind the fun jewelry line.

Let's start at the beginning. How did you get into jewelry design? Are you formally trained, self-taught, or some combination of the two?  

I’ve been a fashion designer for over 11 years, designing for retailers like Urban Outfitters and Forever 21. When I moved to New York a year ago, I decided to start making my own jewelry as a hobby.  I started receiving a lot of positive feedback, and that's when I decided to start my own shop.

From where do you draw your inspiration? 

I'm inspired everyday by things around me - it could be anything from a jacket to an art exhibition - but I think Brazil has had the biggest influence on my designs because I grew up there. I think you can see a bit of it in my pieces. Colors, music, the fashion scene, and people on the streets all contribute to create something different and new.

10% of proceeds from Alimonda jewelry sales go to "Casa da Graca" (Grace House), a temporary shelter for girls from underprivileged families in Brazil. Can you tell us more about this and what made you decide to include this generous aspect to your jewelry line?

A local judge places girls at Casa da Graça if they have been abandoned, neglected, and/or abused by their parents or guardians. Some of girls’ parents are unable to provide adequate living condition for their children due to extreme poverty and others have escaped from street life. Even when a girl is fortunate enough to return to her home, there is very little social assistance available to her family, which is the biggest challenge.

 

This past January I went on a mission trip to this shelter and spent 12 days with these girls, and it really became big part of my heart.

Being a jewelry designer, what do you like best about your job? What are some of the most challenging parts of running your own business? 

What I like most about my job, is that I am able to create new designs. I just love to spend hours thinking and playing with the materials until I find a design that I like and that I think people will like. It makes me very happy to see people liking my jewelry.

I think the most challenging part of this business is creating awareness about my shop, just getting the word out there. This is a very competitive business.

What is your typical day like?

I am usually making jewelry or going errands for inspiration. Oh, and I walk my dog three times a day :)

PS - Bloggers love Alimonada! Check out some blogger shots from Alimonda's website:

Designer Spotlight: Spark and Pepper

Meredith Peck operates her pretty jewelry line, Spark and Pepper from her San Fransisco studio. Her pieces are delicate with a pure and simple beauty that is pleasing to even the most critical eye. Her pieces are perfect for everyday, adding just the right amount of sparkle to your office attire or comfortable weekend wear. For more on this inspiring designer and what motives her precious designs, keep reading!

Take us back to the start. How did you get into jewelry design? Did you have a different job prior to Spark and Pepper that led you down this path?

I started making jewelry because I wanted to make things that I wanted to wear; things that were simple, delicate and with hard and soft lines. I have no formal training in jewelry making, but I do have formal schooling in graphic design. My “day job”, I guess you could call it, is in art direction and graphic design.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I’m very inspired by my travels to Japan. I have a great deal of appreciation for Japanese culture and for the Japanese aesthetic. I try to incorporate this elegant simplicity into every piece. Also, the experience in Japan of having even the most mundane of purchases painstakingly and beautifully wrapped in front of me really left an impression. I want to create that same feeling for my customers.

What do you like best about your job as a jewelry designer? What are some of the most challenging parts of running your own business?

My favorite part about this job is hearing the responses from my customers. Just knowing that people are responding to the designs, and have the same connection to the pieces as I do, makes me want to keep going. The most challenging part is taking what started off as a personal passion of mine that I was doing for myself, and turning it into a business. Running the day-to-day aspects of the business; bookkeeping, inventory, etc.

What is your typical day like?

My typical day starts with a cup of coffee and my little dog Lucy. My day is half designing and the other half is jewelry making.

You also have a blog, Inspire and Share, how much of your time is devoted to blogging and other online media?

I started Inspire and share because I wanted a place where I could share my aesthetic. I spend quite a bit of time looking elsewhere to find imagery that inspires me.

What advice would you give to other young designers who may just be starting out on their jewelry designing journey?

My advice to young designer would be to keep at it. Learn as much as you can about the techniques and skills. The industry is so saturated with great stuff that you really have to have your own point of view and don't lose sight of your own personal aesthetic.

Stay tuned for an exciting giveaway  from Spark and Pepper soon!

Designer Spotlight: Alexa Leigh

Known for her dainty hearts and signatures stars, jewelry designer Alexa Leigh, offers pretty necklaces, bracelets, and anklets for the minimalist and layer-loving crowd. Determined to enter a job that she loved, Alexa started her eponymous line and hasn't looked back. To learn more about how Alexa started her own company and what inspires her pretty jewels, read on! 

Let's start at the beginning. How did you get into jewelry design? Are you formally trained, self-taught, or some combination of the two?

I have no real formal training, but I love to draw so that has enabled me to design jewelry. I have always loved jewelry. Even though I would regularly go through my mother’s pieces when I was younger, it was always as if I was seeing them for the first time. I am a sucker for anything that sparkles. In high school I started making a lot of beaded jewelry, always saying I was going to sell them, but then liking them too much to part with. Funny enough, I still have everything I made then.  

What inspires your jewelry designs?

I think subconsciously I am constantly drawing inspiration from everything around me, but my designs are most affected by my mood and style at the time. I create jewelry I would want to wear myself. If I don't like it how can I expect anyone else to? 

Who would your dream client be? 

I would really love to have Alexa Chung as a client. I think she has impeccable taste and a great sense of style so I would be honored to have her wearing my jewelry.

Being a jewelry designer, what do you like best about your job? What are some of the most challenging parts of running your own business? 

I love that I am constantly creating. I can get lost for hours designing new pieces. Running your own business, however, is a 24/7 job. Both the successes and the failures lie on my shoulders alone. 

If you could go back and give your 20 year old self some advice, what would it be? 

I wouldn't go back and tell myself anything. I believe everything happens for a reason. 

Ps - take a look at some of the fabulous bloggers who love Alexa Leigh! Sincerely Jules, The Glamourai, and Song of Style. *All photos from Alexa Leigh Facebook page - go to her page for more!*

Designer Spotlight: Aaron Ruff of Digby & Iona

I first discovered the Digby & Iona through the Brooklyn-based jewelry shop, Catbird. I was instantly smitten with the line's quirky pieces - like the Big Bunny Ring - and the pretty gem pieces - like the Atreyu ring. 
 
The man behind the beautiful jewelry line is Aaron Ruff.  As a young boy, Aaron was fascinated with the idea of stumbling upon hidden treasures and unearthing ancient relics. Today, he transforms the beautiful treasures and trinkets from his mind’s eye into stunning and sometimes quirky jewelry. Created in 2006, and named after two quiet seaside towns in Nova Scotia,  Digby & Iona represents Aaron’s connection with the small province and wanting to maintain a level of anonymity.

Read on as Aaron offers us glimpse into his day-to-day life in his Brooklyn studio, where he draws his inspiration, and how his childhood fantasies influence his work. Once you've seen his work, you too will be dying to get your hands on a Digby & Iona piece.  I for one can't take my eye off of that Bunny ring!

Let's start at the beginning. How did you get into jewelry design? Are you formally trained, self-taught, or some combination of the two?  

I took a class when I was in school for furniture design. After graduating and a few years of running a wood shop, I started messing around with jewelry again - and from there is was a lot of trial and error.

Where do you draw your inspiration from? 

Almost all of my work is historically based - whether it's a specific time and event, like the current collection, war of 1812, or just based on the feel of a period, like the wanderer series.

Who would your dream client be? 

Well, the practical answer would be someone with unlimited budget and love for gems! But in reality I don't have an ideal. I really enjoy working on custom pieces because each one reflects the client's personality and presents a different challenge.

Being a jewelry designer, what do you like best about your job? What are some of the trials or toughest parts of running your own business? 

Being able to set my own hours and design what ever comes into my head is a pretty ideal way to work. The hard part is always the paper work. This presented the greatest learning curve, for me, since they don't really prepare you for that aspect in design school.

What is your typical day like? 

It really varies depending on whether I'm designing a new collection or working on any custom jobs that day. I generally split my time between the bench working on jewelry and the computer.
 

If you could go back and give your 20-year-old self some advice, what would it be? 

A few business classes would have gone a long way, although my 20-year-old self would probably have just ignored me.