This weekend gave me a lot to think about, including but not limited to, the dangers of falling asleep on my roof-deck for 2.5 hours in the blazing sun. Ouch!!
Okay, moving on today’s designer, meet the super talented Justine Collins of singleBbeautiful.
Justine began making jewelry because she likes to make beautiful things with her hands. Her 100% handmade designs include silver and gold, and precious and semi-precious gemstones. Inspired by ancient jewelry, her creations are both thoughtfully crafted and timeless in design. All of the metals she uses are 100% recycled and do not encourage destructive mining practices.
You can purchase her designs on Etsy and read about the process on her blog.
You have no idea how badly I want to take a jewelry making class. They have one at MassArt, but knowing me and my perpetually overbooked schedule, I would probably end up missing half the classes anyway… I digress. More later.
8 comments
i'm bored says:
Jun 13, 2009
These are anything but unique designs. She is copying the more expensive models that have been out for quite some time. Pretty and a cheap knock off, maybe but hardly the thing one who totes herself as the urban socialite should be driveling over.
urbansocialite says:
Jun 13, 2009
I actually never called her designs unique… I called them beautiful because they are :). I also wouldn’t call my comments about the designer “driveling over” her, rather I’m impressed with anyone who make designs like that by hand.
For “driveling” posts see:
http://urbansocialite.com/2009/06/10/lift-off-w-nike-and-doris/
http://urbansocialite.com/2009/02/20/1306/
http://urbansocialite.com/2009/01/29/obsession-emily-ryan/
Anyway, I am not much a jewelry person, but the bezel setting has always been my favorite, and I love the fact that she incorporates it into so many of her designs.
Sorry you’re bored! Try going for a run… it’s good for the mind body and the soul ;).
Justine Collins says:
Jun 21, 2009
Hi,
I actually do have unique designs, just not those bezel set stacking rings. I do those because people want to buy them and they like being able to choose different combinations of stones. The ring on the top is my own design. You can’t see from the angle, but it is not a stone set into a tube setting like the ones below. It’s been flush set into a hand carved pebble of solid 14kt palladium white gold. I’m not copying anyone. As far as I know, a tube setting has been around forever and if I were to choose not to use a tube setting because it would be “copying” I wouldn’t be able to make jewelry. Perhaps I should not use prongs or I should not flush set anything because that would be copying too. Or maybe I shouldn’t use a torch or gold or silver or gemstones because god knows that would be copying too. Can you please tell me what unique jewelery would be? What is unique anything?
Sincerely,
Justine Collins
Justine Collins says:
Jun 21, 2009
and it’s tout, not tote.
urbansocialite says:
Jun 21, 2009
I think “I’m bored” was literally just bored Justine. I love your designs. Like I said in my response, I very rarely write about jewelry designers. I am just not a huge jewelry person. I absolutely love your work! I actually do think your collection is unique, I just had to correct the commenter because that wasn’t a word I used to describe it in my post… but like you said… I mean… what is “unique” anyway?
Thanks for commentating and keep creating beautiful designs!
sunjules says:
Dec 8, 2010
I am eagerly awaiting when you are back on Etsy in January. I have been following your designs for over a year, and my boyfriend knows that when the time comes to propose, I want a ring made by you! :)
sunjules says:
Dec 8, 2010
That comment was directed to Justine. :)
Brooke says:
Dec 29, 2010
I also can’t wait for her to reopen! I be her engagement rings are amazing!