Rarity // Behind The Scenes with Voce Keen + Eva Kolenko

I first met Amanda a few years ago at a trunk show she was doing at Hangr 16 boutique, formally located on 16th st.  I remember seeing her and thinking she was some sort of rock goddess.  I loved her jewelry, much of it sand-casted by hand, and her incredible personal style {her interview totally nails her influences to a T}.  When I opened Crown Nine, Amanda was one of the first designers I wanted on board, I felt like Oakland women would really vibe what she is doing.  She has a loyal following here, including probably one of her number one fans Erin D {who has become one of my favorite people!}.

I figured that EVA KOLENKO would really dig Amanda and her line VOCE KEEN.  Eva's jewelry taste is definitely on the rock/ gritty/ pretty-masculine side {a girl after my own heart!}.  Eva and I met up, drove out to San Francisco's Mission neighborhood to see Amanda's studio and talk shop.  See Eva's photo tour {here} and shop Voce Keen stunning silver pyramid necklace {here}.  Enjoy!

Shop Voce Keen Silver Pyramid Necklace >>>

L O V E + M E T A L

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RARITY // Behind the Scenes with Sarah Swell + Eva Kolenko

There are days when I am totally amazed by the job I made for myself. When I envisioned becoming a jeweler, one of the things I was looking for in my life was more time spent with creative, inspiring people. And blam-o, here I am all these years later, hanging with two amazing and inspiring women who continually blow me away with their grit and eye for beauty. Sarah Swell and Eva Kolenko are total comrades who have taught me many things about life and supported my business in uncountable ways.  Friendship, business support, inspiration...not so bad, I must say.

Sarah and I have studios fairly close to one another, so I often pop by for errands and to bug her for no good reason. Eva had yet to check it out, so she brought baby Parker along and snapped all theses amazing PHOTOS for Rarity. Sarah made a excuse-my-language-outburst worthy necklace/ring, a silvery slithering serpent with a green diamond eye. You must see it >>>.

Here are some of my favorite outtakes from hanging with these girls. Enjoy.

L O V E + M E T A L

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A Rarity // Behind The Scenes with Eva Kolenko + Brian Enright of 12 Sticks

Another Rarity design launched yesterday, and now to show you the behind the scenes photos I took when EVA KOLENKO and I visited the shop of Oakland jewelry artist, Brian Enright of 12 Sticks.  Brian works out of The Crucible--working as an instructor and renting his own work space where he creates jewelry and industrial art, furniture, and custom wood projects.

The Crucible is a dream come true if you are interested in anything having to do with fire, building, and awesome tools.  Brian gave us the tour of the jewelry studio, machine shop, and we passed by the Smithy and welding areas, all with baby Parker in tow (how cool that this kid gets to go to so many cool places and see her bad-ass mom work, kind of puts 'Take Your Daughter to Work Day' in its place!).  Anyway, hope you enjoy xo.

 

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