Love the look of multiple piercings, but don’t want to go through the effort? Check out Otis Jaxon‘s ear climbers – their innovative design blends earring and ear cuff to give you the look without the permanence. Just insert the earring through your normal lobe piercing, then twist upward and place in the dip at the top of your ear. They’re available as pairs or singles in triangle, circle, square, and heart shapes in multiple metals.
Ten years ago this month I started Design Crush as a place to gather inspiration for my day job as a graphic designer, and five years ago it became my full-time job. To thank you all, as well as highlight some of my favorite sponsors from over the years, we’ll be hosting ten days of giveaways in celebration of ten years of this little site that could.
Over the past few years I’ve have the pleasure of working closely with two incredible companies who have business models built on investing in and empowering women in impoverished countries. The first of which was Fashionable, and in 2016 we worked together to create a line of table and kitchen linens.
Fashionable works with women, both locally and globally, who have overcome challenges ranging from prostitution to addiction to a lack of opportunity. With your help they work to give opportunity to women where there is often little, and then they effect change.
The line has grown from a collection of handwoven scarves to include leather goods from around the world and jewelry made in Nashville, Tennessee. Now just this month Fashionable has added apparel and shoes to their shop!
Like the rest of their collections, Fashionable‘s apparel and shoes are perfectly pared down versions of everyday styles. I’m aching to get my hands on the Cecilia T-Shirt Dress a pair of Pamela Platform Sandals for the perfect summer outfit. I can see layering some of the other tops in different colors over the dress to mix things up and create new outfits, too.
With lovely collections of leather, jewelry, apparel, and shoes, you’ll have no trouble spending the $250 gift card Fashionable is gifting one reader for our last day of giveaways! You have 22 ways to enter to win and 48-hours to get crackin’. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Ten years ago this month I started Design Crush as a place to gather inspiration for my day job as a graphic designer, and five years ago it became my full-time job. To thank you all, as well as highlight some of my favorite sponsors from over the years, we’ll be hosting ten days of giveaways in celebration of ten years of this little site that could.
I first met Sarah Fox, founder and jewelry designer of all things Cursive Design, what feels like ages ago. After falling for her work we connected online (oh gosh, it was such a smaller place then) and then became pals. Her Chicago-based jewelry line was created in 2005 and is inspired by Sarah’s background in art – she received a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a focus in Sculpture, Color Theory, and Lighting Design. Triple threat!
Cursive Design‘s ever-evolving collection strikes a balance between everyday wearable pieces that also create a statement. Her jewelry designs are characterized by their playful shape composition, relaxed geometry, and use of targeted color combinations. Sarah takes great time and care when sourcing the materials involved in the creation of every piece, and each is made by hand in her studio.
I’ve had the pleasure of attending New York Fashion Week twice, and in 2012 I took Sarah along with me to work on a sponsored project! She created the most incredible art deco-inspired reversible necklace featuring cast brass shapes with the help of a little input from Design Crush’s readers.
I must own at least seven pieces of Cursive Design‘s jewelry, and every time I wear one I’m complimented. Everything is so wearable, I’ve dressed it up and dressed it down and love the versatility of Sarah’s designs. She is generously offering one reader a mini collection of jewelry – color theory no. 7 necklace, dalmatian jasper supermoon necklace, primary circle earrings, triple triangle stud, and circle stud. All pieces can be seen above! You know how it goes, this time there are 24 ways to enter to win but only 48-hours to do it.
Ten years ago this month I started Design Crush as a place to gather inspiration for my day job as a graphic designer, and five years ago it became my full-time job. To thank you all, as well as highlight some of my favorite sponsors from over the years, we’ll be hosting ten days of giveaways in celebration of ten years of this little site that could.
I have two favorite jewelry designers in Austin, Texas and this is one of them – meet Fail. After working for two internationally renowned jewelry designers, Christine Fail (yes, that’s her actual last name) decided to strike out and put her stamp on the world. I had the chance to meet her in person a few years ago and she’s just the absolute embodiment of her brand and the pieces she creates – understated elegance, delicate yet strong, a modern classic.
Christine is also a smart businesswoman and split Fail into three categories – Fail, Epic Fail, and a home line. Fail offers designs in 14K gold fill and sterling silver, Epic Fail‘s line is full of timeless designs in 14K gold and diamonds, and the home collection is stocked with unique metal accessories.
I wear this 14K Open Ring in yellow gold from the Epic Fail line on my left hand every day. It’s so perfectly thin that I barely feel it, yet sturdy enough that it doesn’t feel precious which is a balance that I really look for in all jewelry I wear regularly. (It’s also available in rose gold and white gold.)
I hung one of Christine’s organic spirit chains on the curtain rod above my bed before even knowing that’s where it’s supposed to go! These hand-cut and hammered brass beauties come in three different lengths, and are meant to be hung next to a window or in a curtain to keep bad dreams at bay. It’s one of my very favorite things.
All three of Fail‘s lines are always expanding, which means I’ve got my eye out for new pieces to add to my own collection. After the latest round of additions I’m eyeing the Graphite Ridge Ring, the 14K Lightning Stud, the Aeon Earrings, and the Saros Necklace (that stone!).
Oh, and guess what! You have a chance to win a $250 gift card to spoil yourself or someone you love with Fail goodies! There are 18 chances to enter but only 48-hours to do it, so get going. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Viva la feminism! No part of the human form should be taboo, and I love people and companies who stand for that thought in tasteful, tongue in cheek ways. Best of all, several of these shops donate a portion of proceeds from each purchase to organizations that give back!
Sseko Designs is an ethical brand that’s using fashion and design to help bright, brave young women in East Africa attend university. To date they’ve enabled 86 women in Uganda go to college to pursue their dreams and become change makers in their communities!
At the beginning of February I first connected with Sseko Designs founder Liz Forkin Bohannon, thanks to a mutual friend we met up and when she reached out about being a 2017 Sseko Sole Sister I was in 500%.
As a Sseko Sole Sister I’ve been connected to one university-bound woman on Sseko’s team in Uganda – meet Shakira! She lives with her mother and three siblings and loves wearing bold prints in simple designs, reading for fun, and spending time with her friends. Shakira seeks out happy moments, loves horror films and chili-flavored snacks, adventure and exploring new places, and hopes to one day get to Switzerland to see the sights and learn more about its neutral and stable history. She looks up to her mother and the strength she has shown in every situation. When things get tough, Shakira likes to remind herself that, “for every successful man, there are very many unsuccessful years.”
She reminded me a lot of myself and so the deal was sealed! (And that dress! Style for days.)
In school Shakira’s favorite subjects are literature and geography, and she hopes to go on to study art at the university level – specifically design. “One thing that makes me love art – I love nature,” she explains. “I love everything about nature. So maybe if I can put it toward design, something can come out of it.”
The fifteen women in this year’s Sole Sister class won’t be making beautiful sandals, bags, and accessories forever – they’re destined for more and deserve the chance to pursue their dreams. The Sseko community wants them to know we’re here, rooting for them and cheering them on the entire way.
And with every single purchase made through mine and Shakira’s link, sales will go towards earning her an additional scholarship towards university!
To kickoff the start of my year as Shakira’s Sole Sister and to get you outfitted for spring in some super stylish ethically made goods,we’re giving away $100! Choose from their incredible selection of handmade sandals, leather bags, and accessories – I’ve already picked up the Brave necklace with a few charms and a pair of camel Rue sandals or myself.
Rock Salt Vintage is a new shop find full of minimal, affordable jewelry. Katelin Reeser’s influences of architecture and natural forms are evident in each piece she creates in her signatures structural yet delicate designs. Every piece would take a little black dress to the next level or be just as at home with a pair of jeans and t-shirt, my kind of jewelry.
