Please welcome another of our wonderful 2010 sponsors, Emily Leonard of Lady Bejewel!! Emily writes: “I’m a jewelry artist here in the greater Seattle area and I recently opened an online shop on Etsy called Lady Bejewel. I specialize in re-fashioning vintage costume jewelry from the Hollywood glamour era. My background is in Apparel Design with 2 degrees; my B.A. from Seattle Pacific University and my A.A. from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. ( Imagine Project Runway in 1981 ). I’ve worked in the fashion design field in Seattle for over 25 years. In 2007 my sister gave me a vintage brooch for my birthday and I was smitten by it. I was immediately drawn to the beauty of the piece and was curious about it’s history… who had designed it, where was it purchased and by whom?
” Thus began a creative journey to learn more about this beautiful jewelry and to design a line of contemporary jewelry showcasing these “Lovely Ladies” as I affectionately call them. Vintage costume jewelry tells a story of wartime America where women’s clothing was rationed and a piece of costume jewelry breathed new life into an otherwise plain dress. It tells the story of immigrant jewelry makers from the Czech Republic coming to America and being immediately employed by jewelry designers to create the “fake” versions of the exquisite jewelry of Europe that they were use to making. It also tells the personal stories of our great-grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers and aunts who lived during a period of time in history where women were fighting for the right to vote, for the right to be paid fairly so they could take care of themselves and their families. It’s these stories locked inside each piece of jewelry that fascinates and inspires me to design.”
Emily, what do you love about your work? I love traveling all over Seattle and the outlining areas looking for vintage costume jewelry. You can often find me scouring antique malls and estate sales looking for these beauties. I call it urban treasure hunting. I also love how vintage costume jewelry catches peoples eyes. The beauty and aged sparkle of the stones themselves set them apart from their contemporaries and people are drawn to them. My whole purpose in designing this jewelry is to free these “Lovely Ladies” from their glass cages in antique malls so they can come out and play again! I try very hard to minimally alter the jewelry so that it retains it’s original beauty.
What drew you to Get Hitched, Give Hope? I was drawn to Get Hitched Give Hope because I was looking for something meaningful to do with my jewelry. I’ve always been drawn to organizations that promote and nurture women and for a couple of years, I was a part of a group helping finance micro loans to women in third world countries so they could start businesses of their own. I recently started a search to see if I could find organizations that helped women here in the Seattle area and I found GHGH. The hunt for vintage costume jewelry, the designing process and the online shop on Etsy are all milestones in my creative journey these past several years but now, the real excitement for me as an artist is realizing that I can help finance great causes with my jewelry in two ways. One is by donating pieces of my jewelry to auction events like GHGH and the other is by donating 20% of my jewelry sales to organizations that help women and young girls here in the NW.
How are you participating? I am donating a one-of-a-kind bracelet and earring set called “Lady Audrey” inspired by the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” starring Audrey Hepburn. I like to name my pieces of jewelry after famous actresses of the Hollywood glamour era. My jewelry will be a part of the raffle event. I’ve taken an original “Sarah Coventry” silvertone bracelet from the 1950′s and hand-wired a beautiful, clear and black rhinestone brooch to the center of it. Faceted rhinestone earrings flank it on either side. It is then embellished with fresh water pearls and black glass beads. A glass teardrop chandelier crystal hangs off the bracelet and a pair of matching vintage rhinestone earrings set against silver filigree add the final touch to this lovely jewelry set.
What is your favorite product you provide? My favorite items to make would be my bracelets because they are such a fashion statement that can be worn with a casual, fun outfit for going out to lunch, or paired with an elegant dress for a special night out on the town! Each bracelet is made up of layers of all sorts of treasures like vintage rhinestone earrings, fresh water pearls, vintage baubles and beads and heirloom keepsakes. Did I mention that each bracelet has a hidden charm tucked away inside just waiting to be found! I also offer my services to the Bride-to-be who would like to have her family heirloom jewelry or mementos transformed into beautiful, keepsake bridal jewelry. A token of ” something old ” that adds that perfect touch to her very special day.
What makes you stand out? What is unique about my business is that it feels more like a mission rather then a business. I know I could be doing more as far as advertising my business etc. but the truth is, I’m more focused on finding great causes to finance through the donating of my pieces and if women are drawn to my work and would like to purchase my jewelry, that’s the icing on the cake. My mission is simple: Women of the past, and their jewels, helping women of today.
Anything else you’d like to share? I think the most important thing I’d like to say is Lady Bejewel started out as one of thousands of jewelry artists on Etsy who wanted to sell their art to the world but all of that changed when I realized that there was something more meaningful I could do with my art that would make a difference in women’s lives and I am truly enriched because of it.
Learn more about Lady Bejewel at Emily’s website.
Photos by Rebecca Ellison Photography
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