Mood Yndigo... Yndigo Designs

Name: Kim Lyons
Store name: Yndigo Designs
Website/online presence: http://yndigo.com

A look behind the scenes:
Kim Lyons of Yndigo Designs, has been designing and handcrafting jewelry for 9 years. In that time she has taken what started out as a hobby and turned it into an award-winning line of one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry and accessories. Kim's design style is a fusion of ethnic and contemporary elements resulting in "ethno-chic" works of art. Inspired by geometric shapes, music, and all things cultural, she creates pieces that have a distinct identity and enhance a woman's individual style.

Kim was awarded Best Indie Women's Accessory (Jewelry) at the 2003 Indie Fashion Awards in New York, and nominated for the Fashion Group Internationale's 8^th Annual Rising Star Awards, Accessories (2006). Her work has been seen in various venues such as dc Fashion Week®, The Baltimore Sun, Black Elegance magazine, and Consciousness magazine.

Born and raised in Washington, DC, Kim got her artistic start writing and performing poetry throughout the DC Metropolitan Area at various jazz poetry sets and on the radio. This self-taught designer is also an avid supporter of the arts and strong believer in giving back to the community. She has taught several jewelry-making, art, and entrepreneurial workshops to inner city children at summer camps and Saturday art programs. She is a past president of the D.C. Chapter of The National Association of Fashion & Accessory Designers, a non-profit organization of professionals and hobbyists representing all areas of the fashion, apparel, and accessories industries.

Kim is offering a free gift with every purchase thru May 30th from her website, Yndigo Designs. As a bonus for Style Conspiracy readers, Kim is offering 15% off, just enter code "conspiracy" at check-out thru May 30th as well.

Brace Yourself Boutique Sale

Brace Yourself Boutique is celebrating their new and improved website with a HUGE sale. Bracelets from 50-80% off. Some prices as low as $3! The Boutique has also added some wonderful new early summer finds.
They offer free gift-wrapping on purchases over $25.00 and free shipping on orders over $50.00.

BHM Featured Artist: Beads In The Belfry

Name: Nina Jackson
Store name: Beads In The Belfry
Website/online presence: http://shopbatty.com

A look behind the scenes:
Ever since I could recall I've been making things…One of my earliest memories is sitting in the living room of my parents' house cutting up frilly socks to make clothes for Barbie. It got so bad that my grandmother started bringing me little frilly girl socks just for that purpose!

So I have pretty much been making art all my life. I like to make all sorts of things but I am focusing right now on jewelry with a focus on wire wrapping and metal smithing. I like the tactile feel of wrapping and bending wire into something that was not there before. Beads In The Belfry is my brainchild to that end. It is the place for those who've gone quite batty for baubles. I make pieces that are more often than not influenced by nature and her organic shapes. Precious metals and semi-precious stones are primarily used in conjunction with wire wrapping techniques. I've just started learning how to solder metal together. Watch out world!

BHM Featured Artist: C.B. Herrera Jewelry

Name: Carmen Beatriz
Store: C.B. Herrera Jewelry
Website/online presence: http://www.cbherrera.com

A look behind the scenes:

After many years of running a very successful commercial cleaning business, C.B. Herrera, whose friends know as Betty, turned to relax a bit. She found herself interested in the jewelry her daughters were always coveting. So, to stop dishing out allowances that were satisfying shopping fetishes, Herrera picked up some tools and gems & went to work! "I'm not really inspired as much as I am in love with the peace jewelry designing offers me! A lot of times I get up around 1 a.m. and go to my studio and just start putting my ideas together."

Her pieces are an eclectic, yet fancy fusion of stones, crystals, earthy elements and one of-a-kind pieces she finds along her travels. She loves pretty things and wants to make sure her client is seen that way. A lot of pieces, no matter how earthy, will have a touch of crystal--may not be visible to the on-looker, but it's there! Her line is ever evolving and working toward a distinguishable look. She makes jewelry that any woman will love to wear.

Carmen lives outside Washington, D.C with her husband. She is currently rep'd by her daughter, Bren, in Atlanta, who puts on her designer hat every so often!

BHM Featured Artist: Brace Yourself Boutique

Name: Myisha Croom-Turner
Store: Brace Yourself Boutique
Website/Online presence: www.braceyourselfboutique.com (shop)
www.myspace.com/braceyourself74 (blog)

A look behind the scenes:
Hello, My name is Myisha and I am a independent jewelry designer from Southern California. I reside in Fontana which is 50 miles east of Los Angeles. I am employed full time and I also design/create jewelry and participate in local fairs. I am happily married, and a mother of one wonderful 8 year old named Myles. I started my business back in 2000 making bracelets for co-workers and family, and realized how enjoyable it was creating wearable art that people actually loved. With an appreciation for nature and uniqueness, I love creating bracelets that stand out and make a bold statement.....'I am not afraid to be different!' I love creating 'chunky' styled jewelry, and this year I have expanded my collection to include earrings.









In 2007, I created a shopping event/vendor fair for women called Sip n' Shop Girls Night Out. I solicited over 30 business owners to participate. At Sip n' Shop women were able to shop from other women designers, boutique owners, and consultants, sip cocktails, view hourly fashion shows, and listen to neo-soul music spun by a DJ all evening. Due to the success of the event I am currently planning Sip n' Shop Girls Night Out for Spring 2008, and I am seeking handmade crafters, and independent artists in SoCal to participate. For information about this years Sip n' Shop event or to view last years pictures you can go to www.myspace.com/sipandshop.

Hearts and Flowers for Valentine's Days

You can get the flowers anywhere but you can find a cute pair of heart earrings at A Pretty Rock. A Pretty Rock is having a special deal for Valentine's Day. All orders over $40 will receive a free pair of Filigree Heart Circle Drop Earrings.

Sale ends February 14th and only while her supplies last. All details on this Valentine's special can be found on her shop's blog.

BHM Featured Artist: Uzuri Designs

Name: Sharonda Crome
Business Name: Uzuri Designs
Website Name: www.UzuriDesigns.net, www.uzuri.etsy.com



A look behind the scenes:
Who am I: Sharonda Crome a Wife, a mother of 3 great children and a self taught jewelry designer.
I design unusual handcrafted beaded and fine silver jewelry using a mix of gemstones, wire, and my new medium silver art clay. After being introduced to jewelry making by a friend, I found that I was absolutely in love! I love combining unique colors and shapes and mixing stones to create fabulous pieces of jewelry

BHM Featured Artist: Abelee's Handcrafted Jewelry

Name: Lee Weal

Store Name: Abelee's Handcrafted Jewelry - a FivetonineDesign Production

Website/online presence:

http://www.fivetoninedesign.com (shop)

http://fivetoninedesign.blogspot.com (blog)

A look behind the scenes:
Executive assistant by day, sister with a crafty soul by night. I've always been involved with some sort of art or craft. Growing up, my brother and I spent most of our allowance on crayons and construction or tracing paper. I knitted little sweaters and sewed little dresses for my Barbie Dolls, and much later, made some of my maternity clothes and some of my baby daughter's clothing as well (some 28 years ago!). I haven't left the house with naked ears since I was 12. Sporting a small afro and a fairly flat chest at the time, I wanted to make sure people knew I was a girl so I wore the biggest hoops I could find. :-) I started making earrings early last spring and fell in love with the craft. I have no formal training; I just make what I like to wear and what I think others will enjoy as well.

Everybody's Working for The Weekend [Store]

Up at the Renegade Craft Fair, Brooklyn last June, I had the honor of meeting Oakland, California designer Adjowah Brodie of The Weekend Store. She was one of the RCM booth neighbors, so we chatted a bit and I got to oogle her wonderful jewelry up close.

Her jewelry collection features old school typewriter keys, which I love! Does anyone else besides me remember typing on type writers and having to retype a whole page because of all the liquid paper spots? Smith Corona, anyone? (And no, I'm not that old!)
You can pick your keys to personalize, which is so great for gifts.

In addition to running The Weekend Store full time, Adjowah is also one of the organizers of Maven: Urban Design + Craft Fair in San Francisco, California.