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With all the wrapping and merry-making going on these days, even the most fashionable girl doesn’t have time for breakfast at Tiffany’s to get her jewels just so. Thanks to a new cottage industry of at-home jewelry designers, made up largely of middle-aged women looking for new direction in their careers and their creative drive, the shimmer shopping comes to you. We’ve identified some of the best at-home jewelry vendors around town, to keep you as sparkling as your champagne.
Most of the vendors on our list make and design the unique pieces in their collections—often to your personal specifications. Check out their websites or the shops that show their jewelry. Whether you go silver or gold, periodot or pearls, you’re sure to find yourself bedazzled by the wondrous wares of these local enterprising gems.
Sally Moore Designs
Style: designed and made by Moore; sterling and vermeil with natural gemstones; necklaces and chains adorned with unique handmade clasps from Bangkok that can be wore in front or back; specializes in custom pieces for brides and bridal parties
Pick: Faceted chunks of light yellow citrine with unique toggle clasp of hammered silver (shown)
Contact: 410.494.4314,
, or at The Little Shoebox, Panache, Bijoux and Craft Concepts.
bella-jewels by Tracey Pettingill
Style: designed and made by Pettingill; gemstone-encrusted jewelry with sterling silver or 18Kgold; heavily textural sterling silver work is hand fabricated from raw silver and then cast into limited edition pieces and signed on the back.
Pick: riotous mosaics gemstone-encrusted sculptural bracelet, $410
Contact: Tracey Pettingill, 410.235.3402, http://www.rubylane.com/shops/bella-jewels, or by request
Gita Chowdhury
Style: collection is curated by Chowdry from India and around the world, and inspired by Gem Palace’s collection of jewels, eighth generation court jewelers of the Maharajahs; timeless with classic design elements and modern fashion sensibilities; 22K gold with only the best gem stones in chic understated colors.
Pick: brilliant blue topaz drop on fine 22k gold chain, $950
Contact: Gita Chowdhury, 443.562.6665, appointments on request
Carole McCrory
Style: designed and made by McCrory, all jewelry is one-of-a-kind, metals (sterling and vermeil), gemstones, quartz, garnet, carnelian, pearl, periodot, chains, chokers with beads, dangle earrings, wrap-around necklaces, no special orders
Pick: triple strand sterling silver chain with quartz pendant, $160
Contact: Carole McCrory, by request, 410.560.0332, or at Lord and Lady Bug, 410.832.5437
Sloane Brown Designs
Style: designed and made-to-order by Brown; light-weight chandelier and drop earrings; sterling or gold-fill embellished hoops; all jewelry made according to purchaser’s preference; all styles can be adjusted by stone, metal and length.
Pick: marquis chandelier earrings with mystical topaz and Swarovski crystals; sterling or gold-fill, $250
Contact: Sloane Brown, appointments on request or to join the email list:
, at Ruth Shaw and Fresh!
Botticelli’s Niece
Style: designed and made by Ellen Miller; an eclectic mix jewelry made from fine metals, 18k and 22k gold, leather, antique charms, original castings and precious gems; unique details to each piece include “found” objects from around the world
Pick: “baby mala” necklace: multi strand thin suede cord with various unique handmade and custom designed charms, $120; fine baby mala, 18k gold pieces, $420.
Contact: Ellen Miller, Botticelli’s Niece, http://www.botticellisniece.com, 410.654.0085.
Gardenia Designs
Style: designed and made by Molly White; collection is predominantly necklaces of chunky strands of freshwater pearls, semi-precious stone, and vintage Japanese glass, in understated and natural tones: soft greens, browns, blues and creams; no metal, gold or silver; earrings and bracelets can be made-to-order to complete a set.
Pick: 17” five strand multi-shaped, multi-sized freshwater pearl torsade, $300
Contact: Molly White, http://www.gardeniadesigns.com, 443.850.8084, at The Pink Crab and Cupcake.
Gaudét
Style: designed and made by artist Nicole Watts; collection is exclusively earrings handcrafted from “found objects, semi precious crystals, stones, old prom dresses, earthly treasures and beyond;” sold in pairs or as singles; each unique piece is named, with titles like Disco Heart Attack, Jujitsu Master, and No.15 Buddhist Delight.
Pick: “Labyrinth 1986”, Mother of Pearl, Blown Glass Beads, Onyx, Swarovski Crystal, Glass Beads & Sterling Silver Wire, $230.
Contact: Nicole Watts, http://www.gaudetjewlery.com, or http://www.myspace.com/gaudetjewelry, 443.852.3918,
, at Via Chic in the Inner Harbor.