Little Lace=Big Statement

Gabrielle Ring (My FAVE)

I love statement jewelry. My mother always told me that I am too petite to wear big jewelry, advice that has always fallen on deaf ears. Kind of like nothing good goes on past midnight. I am a big believer in building an outfit around a bold accessory; I feel like it takes confidence in your ability to edit to get this right. There is an up and coming Charleston-based designer who is creating the most beautiful, wearable art (in my opinion) that is sure to pull together an outfit, and honestly the stuff heirlooms are made of. Gabrielle Bratton, born and raised in Raleigh, NC is a graduate of the Lamar Dodd School of Arts at UGA with a BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing. Gabe has really focused her work on a technique called lost wax casting, which is what allows her to use extremely delicate materials such as lace in her jewelry. The process allows her to have intricate, old world detail while still working in such substantial materials as sterling silver, bronze, and silicone brass. She also does some work with stones, occasionally using sapphires and rubies. (My mother got a gorgeous necklace featuring tiny amethyst droplets.) Gabe takes inspiration from all things vintage and Victorian; you can see the juxtaposition of antique romance and modernity in her pieces.

Gorgeous lace bracelet

Gabe is currently living and working in Charleston, SC. She was recently featured in Garden & Gun magazine (one of my favorite reads) as an up and coming Southern designer. Gabe's collection can be shopped on her website:

 www.gabriellejewelry.com

or

http://www.taigan.com/shops/gabrielle

Her prices start at around $40 and range into the hundreds. Gabe can also do custom design work, and you can contact her through her website for more information and pricing. I promise, these are pieces that people will stop you on the street about.

Who needs a model when the designer is so pretty?

Ring with lace detail, lays across two fingers...