Sneak Peek - New Collection, New Website Coming Soon!

I have had my hands full for past few weeks - can't wait to show you what I've been up to!  Here is an advance image from the latest photo shoot.  My new website will be launching in just a few weeks!

Photo by Amanda Waltman Photography

Visit me on www.JoannaMorganDesigns.com

Ready for Fun in the Sun?

I have just found out that my gemstone and silver rings made it into this stylish and fun inspiration board by an online publisher Fashion Rooftop!  I love the colors, and I wish I were at the sun drenched marina pictured below....

Most Asked Question - How Do I Care For My Jewelry?

There's one question that comes up most often whenever I talk to clients - "how do I care for my jewelry?"  You love your new bling, and now you'd like to take care of it the best you can, so it lasts you forever.

Here are a few tips from me to you - simple, common sense, and easy to follow:

• When storing jewelry keep each piece separate.  Gold, silver, and other metal can scratch each other, and stones and enamel can chip when they hit one another.  Take special care of softer stones, such as opals, emeralds, and aquamarines; same applies to pearls.  Keep everything in its box, ideally custom fitted original packaging. 

• Many gems should not be exposed to chemicals - let your perfume and hair spray dry completely before you put on your jewelry, especially pearls.  Don't wear jewelry and watches to the beach or pool, and while doing housework.

• I always recommend keeping silver jewelry in tightly fastened plastic bags (such as Ziploc) to prevent tarnishing when not in frequent use.  Anti-tarnish strips can be added to the bags.  If your silver jewelry still blackens, bring it to a friendly jeweler to have it cleaned. 

• Some stones are fragile - dropping a jewelry piece onto a hard surface may damage them.  Always put down your jewelry gently.

• Ultrasonic cleaning machines are great for some pieces of jewelry, but may damage others - so only hard stones should go into the ultrasonic bath (such as diamonds), but softer stones may get damaged (pearls, turquoise, amber); gold and platinum will come out gleaming, however the process will not remove tarnish from silver or copper.
• Some things are common sense - don't yank on chain necklaces, don't step on or drive over jewelry, don't give your earrings to a toddler to play with - yes, it all happened...

As with everything that you care about, and is meant to last you for a long time - treat it with care.  And do let me know if you have any comments or questions!

Spring Trends - Grunge Re-Invented

One of the Spring 2013 fashion trends - grown-up grunge - is not what you may remember from Nirvana times.  Much more polished and upscale, and yet very cool, should appeal to women of (almost) all ages.

I found out my Bridget necklace and cuff have been included in the Spring Forecast feature of
Seattle Magazine's  March 2013 issue - I'm loving this look :)
(they're shown here along Dries van Noten pants and T-shirt (Barney's), H&M jacket, other jewelry pieces from Butch Blum boutique in Seattle.

Thank you Seattle Magazine!

                                          Magazine photography by: Elke Van De Velde, styling by Ali Brownrigg

                                   

                                        Bridget Necklace                            Bridget cuff

Love Is In the Air, Spring is Coming

To me Valentine's Day is the first sign that Spring is approaching.  From its vibrant red and pink color scheme, to soft pastel sugar hearts, and lacy greeting cards, I know that long winter and cold weather will be ending soon.  As I am not an overly traditional person, and Valentine's Day is not so much about red roses, jewelry, and going out for me (although that's very nice too!), it is an occasion to reflect who are the most important people in our life.  This, and that Spring is just around the corner.

Happy Valentine's Day to You!  Don't forget loves in your life - be it a spouse, a pet, or a friend that lives across the globe.  Tell them how much they mean to you!  XOXO

Seattle Gift Show - January 2013

We'd love to show you our latest work in Joanna Morgan Designs jewelry line!  Once again we will be a part of the Seattle Gift Show*, which is starting in just two weeks.  Stop by our booth #1342 - January 17th - 20th.  Looking forward to seeing you!

*the show is open to the trade only

www.JoannaMorganDesigns.com

www.seattlegiftshow.com

Happy Holidays!!!

We Are in "425 Magazine" Holiday Shopping Guide!

Our Elena Necklace has been included by "425 Magazine" in their Holiday Shopping Guide!  It is fun to see it beautifully photographed and in company of other locally crafted jewels.  The guide is in the magazine's November-December 2012 issue.

Quiet Drama - New Designs Coming Soon

The story behind many of my designs is pure necessity - when I am in need of some new jewelry I simply make it myself...  The joy of creating something from nothing is also a huge reward in itself - there is alchemy to how metal changes its shape and forms to what we envisioned.

In my collection there is a variety of designs from statement making to quite delicate and subtle.  This time I felt a need for several pieces that would make an every day more exciting, add some architectural shape to a simple outfit, and offer a dramatic accent.  As always, the pieces needed to be wearable and comfortable.

These five bracelets and cuffs will certainly fit the bill!

Coming to Joanna Morgan Designs in early 2013.  Available in brass and sterling silver (pictured here is the collection in brass).

Nature's Jewels

Drops of dew on a cold October morning - couldn't resist taking some pictures of them - they glistened and beckoned like diamonds, but were so much more fragile....

Fall Colors While They Last...

Just out for a walk with Mandy - enjoying autumn.

Just Because It's Still Summer - Sort Of...

Having a little fun with the Krystallos ring - and marveling at the gorgeous bark of this tree, and the juicy green (still!) of the leaves with brilliant blue sky peeking through...

* Krystallos ring in brass is available on www.JoannaMorganDesigns.com

What Inspires You?

On our wall - fashion, lifestyle, design images.  Inspiration.  A feast for the eyes.  Strong influences that will put a stamp on what comes next in our collection.  Or not.

Last Days of Summer...

Catching the last days of warm summer weather on beautiful Vashon Island...

Latest Love - Montana Agate

At the latest gem show I fell in love with the earthy colors and patterns of Montana Agate.  Each one is different, some with crazy abstract lines and dots - can't wait to set them into rings!

Seattle Summer

This is what a summer day in Seattle looks like :)  Snapped this while passing by Lake Union today - I never tire of looking at the water and boats.

Midsummer

Taking a minute to savor fresh fruit and a book...  Summertime is so short....

Show Time!

We'd love to show you our latest - we will have our entire collection at the Seattle Gift Show* in August - stop by our booth!

* the show is not open to the public - trade only; contact us for an appointment at info@joannamorgandesigns.com

Minutes, Moments

Recently I've been preoccupied.  A new collection unfolding, preparations to a trade show, but somewhere in the busy schedule there must be room for personal time.  Even if it's minutes - living in the moment, so refreshing, and delicious.

BOOKS -

My husband surprised me with this one - "Yes, Chef" by Marcus Samuelsson.  I love reading about people who have a creative passion in life, and their path to what they cherish and love most in life.  This one is written in a very straightforward way, such a great tread.

FLOWERS -

Always have to have some of those - even if it is the tiniest bloom.  Nasturtiums always cheer me up with their color and an interesting shape.

RAIN -

Yes, rain.  An occasional rainy day in the summer feels like a gift of time to refocus and recharge.  I always get most things done on a rainy day.

What We've Been Up To...

Meet Alana, Drea, Krystallos, Oona, Bridget, and Justine. We've designed these sculptural rings to fill a void in our collection, and in our jewelry box.  As with every item we introduce at Joanna Morgan Designs these rings were necessary for our everyday fashion life!

The rings were hand carved in wax and then cast in metal (brass or sterling silver).  Afterwards, each one got a nice polish to gleam and shine on your hand.

You can wear one ring as a statement, or stack them up to create different looks.  They can be found at www.JoannaMorganDesigns.com*. Look out for more statement pieces from us soon!

*available in brass; will be available in sterling silver soon; wholesale inquiries please email info@joannamorgandesigns.com