New Kathy Bransfield Jewelry

Since we started carrying her work in March, Kathy Bransfield has become one of our most popular artists. Her hand-stamped necklaces with inspirational, funny, or poignant messages are extremely versatile. With over 20 options to choose from on Monsoon and Artfully Elegant, you're bound to find the one that speaks to you. I am the proud owner of the Compass necklace. (Are you sensing a theme? I have a ton of our jewelry!)

Each of Kathy's necklaces features 2 parts: a covering in a unique design that then lies on top of the hand-stamped sterling silver piece. The coverings are either sterling silver with a patina or gold-plated solid bronze. Whichever look you decide on, it's sure to draw many compliments. Check out 2 more examples below. The one on the left is the Gandhi Ivy necklace, a new addition to our collection. On the right is the Love Tree, one of our most popular necklaces.

Handbags!

One of the great things about Artfully Elegant is that it allows us to expand into accessories. If you're shopping for jewelry, then you're also going to want to see some cute handbags. Pictured below are 2 options from Tivi. We first started carrying Tivi as a jewelry designer. Their wood veneer jewelry with silkscreening is super lightweight and wearable. I have these earrings and wear them often.

Their clutches are what first attracted us to them and we're happy to be carrying them now. Made of wood veneer, the clutches have an elegant shape that makes them perfect for a night out. They're able to be dressed up or dressed down, so they're very versatile. Each bag has super-soft hand-sewn leather in a complimentary color. Whether you're choosing a silk-screened version or a plain version, you're bound to get a ton of compliments on these funky clutches!!






Walnut Ivory Sari Clutch











Ebony Clutch with Black Leather

New Todd Reed Jewelry!

We have a huge selection of Todd Reed jewelry available currently on Artfully Elegant. With more options than we even have in the gallery, we're bound to have the piece you're searching for. We have a great relationship with everyone over at Todd Reed, so if there's a ring or necklace we don't carry, we'd be happy to get it for you. If you're interested in commissioning a special piece, we can do that too! Check out the last photo below to see a recently commissioned engagement ring. It's gorgeous!

Ring 703 has always been a personal favorite of mine. My favorite rings and jewelry from Todd Reed are the ones that combine the different types of diamonds that Todd uses: raw cubes, rose cuts, colored, etc. Ring 703 features a gorgeous yellow center stone surrounded by white brilliant cuts. The band features Todd's signature raw cubes. When I get my Todd Reed ring someday, it will definitely need to have raw cubes in it. Even though Todd has branched out beyond the raw cube, he never forgets it - it still pops up in the majority of his designs.

Looking for a great pair of earrings from Todd Reed? Try Earrings 631. These delicate hoops hang from 18k yellow gold french wire and have a combination of raw and rosecut diamonds. The hoop itself is sterling silver that has been darkened with patina. If wires aren't your thing, these can also be made with a post. That's one of the best things about Todd's work - changes can be made to your specification. Want the earrings with a post? Done. Want the ring in palladium? Done. Want a different stone? Done. Where else can you find jewelry so versatile?

Here's a great example of custom work created by Todd and his team. Our client came to us with a request - he wanted a non-traditional engagement ring for his girlfriend, soon to be his fiance. Starting with the design for ring 660, he arrived at the ring pictured below. His only specifications were to remove the outer ring of stones and have it entirely in palladium. I think the final product is amazing and the most unique engagement ring I've seen in quite awhile! That's a 10+ carat raw diamond set in palladium. He proposed on a glacier in Montana, so it's the perfect natural ring for such a natural setting.

We're Back!

After a brief hiatus, the Monsoon blog is back and better than ever! We've had a busy summer here at the gallery - we've launched a new website, lined up shows through December, and added a member to our gallery team, but more on that later.

We have a full lineup of shows planned for the fall, starting with Marty Desilets and his show "A Mirror With Memory" opening on September 4th. His digitally manipulated photographs transform everyday environments into surreal scenes. The skies in his photographs can be ethereal wisps of clouds or brooding storms on the horizon. Regardless of the subject, Marty’s work invites you in to his unique world.

October brings us local metal artist Dan Minnich. As an apprentice to world renowned artist Steve Tobin, Dan is learning from the best. He has his own unique style of painting landscapes - he paints with hot welded metal. Dan tries to utilize his steel skills in every creation by making every tree, and every part of the scene, out of steel, bronze, and stainless steel. Visit the gallery to see Dan’s view of nature in metal. His show opens October 2nd.

For November and December, we are once again partnering with the Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths for a special 2 month jewelry show. With jewelry artists from Pennsylvania and beyond, PSG’s artisans are some of the most talented in their field. With an array of jewelry in various mediums and price ranges, All That Glitters arrives just in time for the holidays. Artist receptions are on November 6th and December 4th, so be sure to stop by and meet the many talented jewelry artists who make the show possible.

Most of our summer here at the gallery has been devoted to launching our new website, Artfully Elegant. Artfully Elegant is a new, easier way to shop for jewelry and gifts for the home. It's more user-friendly than our Monsoon site - you can sort by price, artist, material, create a wish list to keep track of your favorite items, and lots more. Take a look over there and explore! All of us here at Monsoon have spent countless hours perfecting the site and we are all very proud of it. We hope you feel the same!

Last, but certainly not least, we are pleased to introduce the newest member of the Monsoon team, Wilco. Wilco is Rori's dog - he's part cattle dog, border collie, and husky. He's the friendliest dog you'll ever meet, so if you stop by the gallery sometime from Monday to Friday, you should be able to meet him! Check him out below!!

Khalil Allaik, Lara Bly, & Ranjeet Pawar on YouTube

Check out this YouTube video featuring owner Ranjeet Pawar and husband and wife artists Khalil Allaik and Lara Bly. The clip, shot by the al Alam channel in Dec. 2007, features Khalil's work at the Banana Factory and showcases Lara's show here at Monsoon. Quick note, Khalil's parts of the clip are in Arabic, but Ranjeet and Lara's interviews are in English. Enjoy!

New Artist - Alex Sepkus

Monsoon is very pleased to announce the addition of Alex Sepkus jewelry to our fine, handmade jewelry collection. A native of Vilnius, Lithuania, Alex received his graduate degree in industrial design from the Lithuanian Academy of Arts. His studies included interiors, glass making sculpture, etchings and graphics, but his graduate study was in jewelry design. While Alex's jewelry is beautiful to the naked eye, it becomes even more intricate when viewed under a magnifying glass. Each section of his jewelry has its own texture and pattern. With a strong respect for precision and balance, Alex developed a great passion for the intricacies of his craft, creating jewelry unlike any other.

Alex's organic shapes feature diamonds along with many semi-precious stones. We have a great selection of rings coming, along with a pair of earrings and 2 gorgeous pendants. Check out a sneak peek below of 2 great rings soon to be a part of Monsoon's collection. Look for the Sepkus line to debut in mid June!

Special Offers for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is right around the corner, so what better gift than a handmade piece of jewelry or one-of-a-kind work of art for that special woman in your life. Check out the coupon codes at the bottom of this post for some special savings, for your mom and you too!

Check out Figs and Ginger's family necklaces featuring birds, deer, and bunnies, they represent every member of the family - even dad! Check out another option pictured below!

Don't miss new jewelry artist Christine Mighion's Never Alone ring. It perfectly expresses the relationship between parent and child, husband and wife, siblings, best friends and more.

Why get your mother flowers when you can get here some of these paintings by Kate Birch? Unlike those bouquets, these lovely flowers will last forever and continue to brighten her day!

For the nature loving moms out there - check out mixed media metal artist Dan Minnich. His work strikes a balance between the heavy metals and the delicate trees. One work, Mixed Metal, is pictured below.

Use coupon code ForMomma to receive 20% off all work from Figs and Ginger, Christine Mighion, Todd Reed, Kathy Bransfield, Nature Crafts, Kate Birch, Dan Minnich, and Gary Benfield. Valid until May 11, 2009.

Use coupon code ForMe to receive 15% off all other work in the gallery and online store. Valid until May 11, 2009.