Somehow with all the events of everyday life becoming more stressful, is it possible that our Christmas Wishes became more realistic? The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas used to be a time pregnant with possibilities of good times, wonderful gifts, both given and received, and just about a month that seemed a whole lot more care free than the other 11 months.

In honor of both sides of the coin, let’s have a look at what those wishes might be.

One might simply wish for a white Christmas (“just like the ones we used to know”), or a “cottage” by the sea in Newport, a yacht like Paul Allen’s, a diamond watch, an Hermes Kelly bag in Croco, a made to order couture gown or suit, a diamond and emerald necklace or maybe just oodles of money that you can spend as you please on yourself and everyone else you know and never worry if there will be more.
On the flip side, wishing for a less dysfunctional government, a news day without any political or cultural zealots (including Sarah Palin), a 3% unemployment rate, more time to spend with your family and friends without worries, a cure for Cancer and all diseases, less days felled with news of  disasters and death, and just maybe a month or so of “happy news” rather than all the bad news we get barraged with on a daily basis.

Whichever you wish for, whatever your combination, let’s just hope that this year you do get what you wish for, no matter what else might be going on around us, and just maybe your wish(es) will be granted.

And so I’m offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it’s been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you.

Don’t forget to look for me on Facebook and at http://www.examiner.com/aging-style-in-new-york/jeffrey-felner.

He believes that “there’s a beauty, in a kind of misshapen roughness, in both art and life.” So, Mr. Belack takes his thought and translates it to his métier which is fine jewelry. The end result is a hand made work of art which has been crafted in the manner of the master jewelers and metal workers of times gone by. The pieces might be wrought in gold or sterling and some with stones but always with an incomparable level of awareness for the inherent beauty of each unique creation.

Even though it seems that the jewelry is perfect, there is always an underlying quality of imperfection which echoes back to Mr. Belack’s philosophy. Take for example the winged cuff with its hand wrought hammered surface and yet its perfect depiction of a single wing or notice the semi precious stones which by nature are not perfect. An even more stunning example is used with the branch necklace and twig cuff bracelet where one has only to see it to know the perfect imperfection of nature itself.

Mr. Belack, who is based out of the Miami area, has a very limited distribution but can be found online on his website http://www.belackinc.com/ and don’t forget to keep up with me on Facebook or at http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/.

The Designer

There seems to be a growing trend amongst new talent that entails old world artistry.  In particular, I have noticed this growth in the accessory area. One classification which is almost totally overlooked is millinery and yet there is a burgeoning industry amongst the young designers. There was a time that ladies never left her home without the appropriate headwear but today’s milliners have fashion in mind.

So first up is Victor Osborne who started his business with Zachary Bennett in 2007. They have steadfastly worked together with one aim, to grow their nascent business into a thriving industry. The guys have set up a shop in Williamsburg which also doubles a factory and showroom for their wholesale accounts. The art of hat making is alive and well within these confines and once again we can be introduced to hats as a must have fashion accessory.

Keeping with the old world ways of manufacturing is a jeweler located in London by the name of Duncan Stevens.  Whether creating his works in sterling or in gold or as an accessory or decoration, he continually demonstrates the fine art of manufacturing jewelry. His pieces take on many themes and looks and he is constantly creating new looks for his clientele which now stretches to Dublin and Johannesburg. Duncan has grown to a point where he can now offer “one off” pieces which greatly appeal to the luxury customer.

Both designers hearken back to a  time to when craftsmanship  was an art form as well as to when these items were the must haves of  every ” proper” lady or genleman in their daily wardrobe.

Please look them up on their websites and as always look for me at http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/

Too early to be making your Christmas list? Possibly, but after you glance at this stunning jewelry, you might start writing it on the closest post-it within grasp. Jennifer Meyer designs luxurious pieces that every woman regardless her age needs. She began designing jewelry when stopping her hopeless search for a leaf charm for her necklace and deciding to create her own instead.

Jennifer’s jewelry gained national prominence when her trademark leaf-shaped 18-karat gold charm, which to her represents “turn[ing] over a new leaf,” was worn by Jennifer Aniston in the Break Up. Now, Jennifer’s lines of rings, charms pendants and necklaces can be found in Barney’s New York and various boutiques throughout the country.

What caught my eye about this jewelry was its fun, flirtatious attitude. This line dares to be different, but still maintains that crucial aspect of class. The diamond-embedded wishbone necklace and the Buddha pendant are just two of many pieces in Jennifer’s line that are eye catching and delightful. Perfect for any occasion and with the words “stylish” and “gorgeous” being chosen to describe them, how could anyone not want to be the owner of Jennifer Meyer’s Jewelry?

So Santa, baby, hurry down my chimney tonight, oh and don’t forget the four-leaf clover gold necklace. Cheers!

Call off the dogs, the hunt is over; oligoville.com has found THE new must-have necklace. Not Just Any Old Day has recently added a new Calendar Key to its signature line of jewelry and gift keepsakes. The Calendar Keys are offered in 14kt gold with a 2pt diamond, or in sterling silver using a Swarovski crystal which is used to mark the recipient’s special day.

Just take a look ladies and gentlemen at the fabulous necklace featured below. While it’s not your typical diamond necklace, there is something oddly intriguing about this exquisite piece. I believe it has something to do with the necklace being eye-catching without being over the top or too flashy. And of course, having diamonds or Swarovski crystals located in the necklace doesn’t hurt either.

Another awesome feature is Not Just Any Old Day can customize each piece for that someone special. For example, with this necklace, if you met your girlfriend on Feb 18, a special gem can be placed on that day of the necklace. Making it a one-of-a-kind gift that combines jewelry and thoughtfulness, and that equals the perfect gift. So it seems gentlemen, that you will literally have the key to her heart with this necklace. (I know that was a cheesy statement, but how often do you get to write something like that?)

There are only a few remaining weeks left of summer. Stores have already begun transitioning into fall fashions and most people have ceased adding clothes to their summer wardrobes. But, what is the one thing a woman needs year round? Jewelry.

Robynn Molino’s Jewelry is a great find. Not only can these unique pieces be worn all four seasons but they can also be the accessory at an event that every other woman envies. This Los Angeles jeweler has conjured up a new ring design. The letters located at the top of the rings are touch tone keypad buttons. Ranging in color from jet black to mint green, these rings are anything but unnoticeable.

While Molino’s rings offer more of the “Wow” factor, the earrings have a more subtle approach about grabbing people’s attention. At first glance each earring looks like a simple, feminine earring, but take a closer look and you notice its intricate design. Some of the delicate earrings in this line resemble flowers in bloom or a sea shells found on the beach.

No matter which style you prefer, Robynn Molino’s jewelry line has something for everyone, for every event and, of course, for every season.

Oh jewelry, it’s something we’ve loved since we were little girls playing with our mother’s pearls. It’s a life-long passion that will never burn out. As we grow up, our candy necklaces and plastic earrings tend to be put away and more daring and exquisite jewelry some how finds its way to us.

jules hand fabricated artisan jewelry line pairs eclectic materials with distinctive metalsmithing techniques to produce inherently one-of-a-kind pieces. This striking Chrysoprase Bullets necklace is just one of many marvelous pieces in this line.

Featured in Lucky Magazine, this necklace’s versatility is one of the reasons it is so unique. It can be paired with jeans and tank when heading to an afternoon movie with a gal pal. Or it can be the final alluring touch with the little back dress that will leave him speechless. Like every piece in this jewelry line, each gem is hand selected for its brilliance and color.

If jules jewelry is guilty of one thing, it is feeding women’s addiction to jewelry. Although, one would hardly call that a flaw.

Mash up n:  to combine data from two or more external sources to create something new. Need me to use it in a sentence? How about “REALM Jewelry by Jesse Walker is a mash up of  DIY design, classic gemstones, and the eighties.” Using industrialish materials (think safety pins, dog tags, brass chains) and pretty pieces (think cameos, porcelain medallions, faux pearls), Jesse has crafted a unique look that I like to call uptown industrial. Jesse might owe a lot of his inspiration to the glampunk 80s, but I promise you that REALM is all the way au courant. But don’t take my word for it—here’s the scoop straight from Jesse.

Oligoville: Fill in the blanks: In five words or less, REALM Jewelry is . . .

Jesse: Organic meets industrial.

Oligoville: How would you describe your ideal  customer?

Jesse:  Someone who loves fashion and pays attention to style trends, but isn’t afraid to go their own way.

Oligoville: How’d you end up a designer?

Jesse:  I was always drawing as a kid, and then, as a teenager, I got really into music and fashion ( thank you MTV). So I went to FIT [Fashion Institute of Technology] in New York to study fashion design/ After that I moved on to home accessories design, but it was only a few years ago that I started making the jewelry, pretty much on a whim.

Oligoville: How/when did you launch your brand?

Jesse:  In 2005, at Eastern Market, here in Washington,DC. I made some jewelry to sell along with the home accessories I was making at the time, and the jewelry sold better—and was more fun to make—so I switched to it full-time.

Oligoville: What’s with the kilt pins?

Jesse:  I grew up in the eighties, so I’m always inspired by anything with a punk element to it. I also just think they have a really elegant and beautiful shape to them. It’s become a signature technique of mine to use them, not just as decorative elements, but as part of the structure of my jewelry.

Oligoville: Who and/or what inspires you?

Jesse: High Fashion, big cities, art, and music. I’m inspired by contrasts, mash-ups of unlikely or mundane materials so that they can be seen in a new way.

Oligoville:  What’s 24 hours like in your life?

Jesse:  A blur.

Oligoville: What’s in your closet? What are you wearing right now?

Jesse:  Oh god, for someone so interested in fashion, I don’t have any nice or cool clothes. It’s all jeans and t-shirts. Every few years I try to get my act together and buy some nice things, and make an effort to have some style. But I don’t have the energy to keep it up when I’m thinking about how to dress other people all the time. Also, I’d rather put my money back into my business right now.

Oligoville: What’s in your bag right now?

Jesse:  It’s a messenger bag with some basic jewelry making tools, an umbrella, my ipod and cell, a sample bag of Giant Cheetos, and lots of gum.

Oligoville:  Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned.

Jesse: The amount of competition can be overwhelming; there are so many jewelry designers out there. I’m learning to be ruthlessly honest with myself about what I design and sell. Is it really me? Is it really unique? Is it really wearable?

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Jesse:  Being able to make money doing something that really allows me to put all my creative energies, and imagination, to use.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

Jesse:  I plan to start focusing more on wholesale, so REALM will be carried in a lot more stores. And I expect to have some employees, so that I can spend more time creating new designs and less time making product.

Oligoville: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Jesse:  Get yourself a trust fund.

Oligoville: What’s on your playlist right now?

Jesse:  Lady GaGa, and Jordan Sparks…Yes I know it’s cheesy, but it keeps me moving.

Oligoville: Any last words?

Jesse:  Accessorize.

These are some REALLY nice rings. Nice as in Andrew Nyce. I fell in love with the truly unique patterns and shadows that are characteristic of  his elegant technique. When they say ‘No two are alike’….they mean it.

When it comes to the ancient Japanese technique of Mokume Gane, you know you are going to get a unique work of art.

“I am intrigued by the history and beauty of Mokume Gane and Damascus Stainless Steel. Each of these materials has beauty in their patterns, colors and the play of shadow and light that speaks to me and motivates me each day. No two pieces of jewelry are ever exactly the same.” says the designer.

“To me, metalsmithing is more than just the technique of working metals into a desired shape. It is the skillful blending of art and science to create a lasting symbol of one person’s love for another.”

Lucky for us, Andrew has been creating engagement rings, wedding bands, commitment rings and men’s rings,all with his intricate pattern, since 2002. They are sure to appeal to the more fashion forward crowd, who appreciate quality and style. That would everyone who reads Oligoville!