Just In: Pamela Love Spring Collection
Posted: February 13, 2013 Filed under: Just In, Pamela Love, Uncategorized | Tags: arrowhead cuff, Arrowhead necklace, bracelets, cuffs, earrings, fly necklace, hitchcock madrona, necklaces, pamela love, rings, spring collection Leave a commentPamela Love’s spring collection has arrived! Love’s amazing jewelry is regularly featured in magazines like Vogue and Elle. Her unique and playful designs imply rock-and-roll and Southwestern influences and have been perfectly executed and imbued with just the right amount of edge. Currently in stock are necklaces ideal for layering, statement rings and dramatic cuffs. Her work is amazing – stop by and check it out!
Artist Profile: Xenia Mara
Posted: January 2, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized, Xenia Mara | Tags: "goddess" chain necklace, "waterfall" necklace, bracelets, designer interview, earrings, hitchcock madrona, jewelry, layering, necklaces, styling, vintage, Xenia Mara Leave a commentXenia Mara is a Seattle-based jewelry designer who handcrafts all of her pieces using vintage materials and semi-precious stones. Each necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings she makes is one of a kind, feminine, and glamorous without being over-the-top. Much of her jewelry can be easily layered and all of it is extremely versatile. We are so fortunate to have Xenia’s collection here at Hitchcock Madrona. Thank you, Xenia, for continually inspiring us with your beautiful and creative designs!
How would you describe your line’s aesthetic?
Short answer: vintage inspired, with a modern yet classic sensibility and of course, one-of-a-kind. Well, and did I mention patina? I like a warm, worn-in, well-loved feel, so a fair amount of my work has patina.
One of Xenia’s iconic and dramatic “waterfall” necklaces. AMAZING!
When you design your jewelry, is there any particular woman whom you design for?
To be perfectly honest, I design every piece so that I love it first. But at the same time, I’m always thinking of a bright and confident woman who is inspired to look and do her best at whatever she does in life. As I’m designing, I sometimes reference icons like Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn’s character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s), Elizabeth Taylor, Chanel, and even the Wilson sisters and Janis Joplin when my mood swings to vintage rock-n-roll …
What is your favorite way to style your pieces?
Each piece has to stand on it’s own. That’s just a given. But I have a penchant for making things that are convertible: two clasps on a necklace allow multiple lengths, from long and draped to short and chunky when wrapped a few times around the neck; belts convert into necklaces and back; a long layered chain necklace turned sideways on itself transforms into a short looped chain neck piece. Why not have options? I love to engineer [the piece] so that the customer can customize the necklace to fit [her] needs or [her] mood of the moment.
But speaking to the question of styling, I love the way that Hitchcock layers my pieces. Their display work is inspired. But everyone knows that!
I have doubled up! Wearing two of Xenia’s chunky necklaces.
Where do you find inspiration for your collections?
My inspiration stems from the materials first and foremost; I design based on what chains and gemstones catch my eye. Sometimes I just play with a chain, draping it into different shapes. Possibly this method of working comes from my background as a clothing designer. To further explain it, my favorite reality TV show is Project Runway: I can totally relate to being given a project with a day or two to source and design and sew before having it reviewed by my instructors in front of my peers. In design school I could never sketch an idea on paper before having picked out the fabric and trims—the materials always inspired the design and I continue to work this same way as I drape the jewels and chains into their final forms.
What do you particularly love about designing jewelry?
Designing jewelry is like making sculpture. I always wanted to try throwing pottery and sculpting because those disciplines involve working in three dimensions and I love working with my hands. Designing, as well as actually hand-making the jewelry, lets me express myself in this way.
What would you say are three key pieces of jewelry that every woman should own?
I think this can change over time and certainly may differ from person to person. But elementally, jewelry that makes you smile, feel confident, sexy, womanly, edgy, empowered, beautiful and elegant would be key pieces. From my own collection, I would suggest a multi-chain layering piece as a foundation. On top of that, throw [on] a chunky strand of natural rock crystal or maybe a long pendant with some color. Swinging the other direction to a more delicate approach, what woman doesn’t deserve raw diamonds or sapphires on a fine gold or silver chain?
What aspect of the design process do you find most challenging?
Committing to one particular idea when a material is in limited supply is the toughest challenge for me. For instance, if I only have a short length of a very fabulous vintage chain [then] I have only one chance to get the design just right … to do justice to that “bit” of the past that is awaiting a rebirth. I can agonize over it. I would also like to note that I do not scavenge intact vintage jewelry. I only use broken or discarded items or vintage chain factory over-runs.
Speaking of fabulous vintage chain….
What clothing or jewelry designers do you admire?
This is actually a very tough question to answer. I have a wide range of influences and find inspiration all over the design world. For vintage, of course I could not miss mentioning Miriam Haskell, Tiffany, Fortuny, Erté, Madame Grès, Vionnet, Balenciaga and everything Deco and Art Nouveau … no surprise there! I would have to give Ralph Lauren kudos for creating American classics (and what an empire!). Karl Lagerfeld is brilliant and prolific. Because I find pleating so cool, I have great respect for Issey Miyake and I’ve even gone so far as to hand-pleat silk using the Japanese technique of shibori pole-wrapping. I’ve always loved John Galliano, whether he’s being good or naughty. When I had the money, I could never resist Prada boots and heels. Because I love clever draping, I must now hail Haider Ackermann. And because I could go on forever with this list, I will end by saying that I’m still in mourning for the loss of Alexander McQueen (though his Sarah Burton is doing well holding down the fort somehow).
What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of being a jewelry designer?
I love what I do. Re-purposing vintage chains and other found items into new forms allows me creative expression, and I wake up excited each day to get to “work”. As Robert Frost describes in “Two Tramps in Mud Time,” “my vocation is my avocation.” I wouldn’t have it any other way. Life is good!
Artist Profile: Crystal Hartman
Posted: December 20, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: "lost wax process", bracelets, Colorado, Crystal Hartman, Durango, Durango Silver Company, earrings, handmade, hitchcock madrona, jewelry, layering, necklaces, rings, Silver Leave a commentWe asked designer Crystal Hartman to answer our artist questionnaire. She is one of the most recent designers to join Hitchcock Madrona and she recently created a line of sterling silver jewelry exclusively for us! Crystal makes of all of her jewelry by hand in Durango, Colorado, her home town. The craftsmanship of her work is extraordinary, and her designs are elegant and timeless. Read all about her design philosophy below:
How would you describe your line’s aesthetic?
Sculptural…solid designs heavy in detail referencing botanical illustration and the movement of water, grass and air.
When you design your jewelry, is there any particular woman whom you design for?
I love the idea of all women wearing my jewelry, but I certainly design for the strong. I love a woman with “feist” in her eyes. The designs are heavy silver with stones set in them to stay; they will withstand being worn on stage, round the world, and to a very fine dinner.
What is your favorite way to style your pieces?
Layers…I like the rings with stones oddly stacked over bands. I like to see the bracelets layered with strands of navy or deep red glass beads, leather or lace tied round the wrist to remember love and texture. I like classic roses; feathers, driftwood and fabrics that emphasize beauty in the line work but remind us a bit of the physical strength of the jewelry in a subtly psychological way.
A sampling of some of Crystal’s pieces that we have in stock. How beautiful are these?!
Where do you find inspiration for your collections?
Music, film, travel and contemporary art and history. This line [at Hitchcock] was influenced by the giant, red rock walls and purple grama bursting between [them] at Indian Creek and the water rippling beneath it [in] Utah, [and] by the blue sky breaking to grey in late October [in] Seattle. I am egged on by E.E. Cummings, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Andre Breton, Caravaggio and Woody Allen, by Jonah Skurky-Thomas, Rebecca Tischler, Rachel Mindel, The Panoply, and sound… each album that catches the light in my ears just right at any moment…
On these pieces for Hitchcock Madrona: Cole Porter, Hurray for the Riff Raff, the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, LCD Soundsystem, Billie Holiday, The Black Keys, Louis XIV and Ibrahim Ferrer played great inspiration.
What do you particularly love about designing jewelry?
The tradition, process and accessibility of it. I love to pour beauty into an object that will be worn on someone’s hand or heart to remember a time or display a feeling [and] into an object that is at once contemporary art and functional adornment.
Crystal at work!
What aspect of the design process do you find most challenging?
I used to be daunted by the enormity of the industry, of all of the different techniques and styles and the desire to try them all out. As I’ve developed a conversation with the materials that fear has faded into excitement… most challenging now is the time it takes to see a process through. With so many possibilities, it is easy to dream up a thousand designs. Choosing the freshest ones and introducing them to the design world takes perseverance.
One of the wax molds Crystal uses to create her jewelry – she employs a technique known as the “lost wax process”.
What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of being a jewelry designer?
Letters from lovers. And knowing that the pieces I design will help define an individual. A long time ago, I heard a story about modern man; the narrator [of the story] said that what distinguished him [modern man] was when he hung the first bead round his neck – adornment as an expression of individuality. I am honored to design pieces that are truly unique, where we see and feel my hand in them and no one will have another that is the same.
What clothing or jewelry designers do you admire? Asagi Maeda, Alexander Calder, Alexander McQueen, Coco Chanel, Agnes B., and Mervin Stilson (an outrageous cobbler down the street from my studio).
This is a piece that was just cast. It now has to be cleaned, polished, oxidized and polished again! Each one of Crystal’s unique pieces is understated but also incredibly detailed.
What would you say are three key pieces of jewelry that every woman should own?
A band ring that fits on several different fingers and can be worn alone everyday or stacked with others when she likes. A strong, great bracelet. A conversation piece… something big and bold and certainly made by hand.
Just In: Crystal Hartman Jewelry
Posted: December 16, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: "lost wax process", bracelets, Colorado, Crystal Hartman, diamonds, Durango Silver Company, earrings, garnets, gifts, hitchcock madrona, holiday 2012, jewelry, mother of pearl, necklace, onyx, pyrite, rings, Silver Leave a commentWe are so excited to introduce Crystal Hartman to our customers. Crystal is a new artist to Hitchcock Madrona and to the Seattle area. She has created a collection of exquisitely wrought designs exclusively for us – check ’em out!
This necklace is an exclusive design for Hitchcock Madrona. It is amazing.
Crystal grew up in a family of jewelers. Her father John and mother Estell began the Durango Silver Company in 1972. It remains family owned and operated in scenic Durango, Colorado. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in printmaking from the University of Colorado, Boulder, Crystal also has an interest in watercolor. She initially turned her attention to painting and printmaking before learning sliversmithing from her father, a master gold and silversmith and stonecutter. Dustin and I are planning a trip to Durango to visit Crystal and her family’s business. We can’t wait!
Black onyx cabochon and sterling silver stud earrings
Crystal employs a technique called the “lost wax process” when making her jewelry; it involves using wax to create a mold into which she then pours molten silver. John cuts all the stones that will subsequently be added to her designs.
An example of a wax mold for one of Crystal’s bracelets – be sure to keep an eye out for a future blog post on the “lost wax process”!
We have silver rings, bracelets, and one gorgeous necklace of Crystal’s currently in stock. She is such a talented artist – all of her jewelry is beautiful, elegant and entirely handcrafted!
Mother of pearl and sterling silver earrings
Wide sterling silver band with tiny black diamonds
Wide sterling silver cuff bracelet (with or without diamonds available)
When Dustin and I met with Crystal during her recent visit to Seattle we were enamored with her skill and design narrative. I challenged her to incorporate white, champagne and black diamonds into her organic pieces. They turned out better than I ever thought possible. She cast the diamonds into the pieces and therefore they are seamlessly integrated into the design. Your eye has to hunt for the stones (she didn’t want prongs) and when you see one the others magically appear. Pure genius.
XOXO
Erica
Just in: Xenia Mara HUGE Collection
Posted: November 28, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: "goddess" chain necklace, bracelets, earrings, gift ideas, hitchcock madrona, holiday 2012, necklaces, Xenia Mara Leave a commentXenia visited us today and brought the largest collection of jewels she has ever dropped off. They are going to be great gifts this season.
One of my favorite styles by Xenia, her “goddess” layers of vintage chain. Everyone needs one of these!
I will feature more pieces on the blog in outfit posts throughout the month.
XOXO
Erica