Afterglow Jewellery

 

Conscious Design

and sustainable fashion

There are more and more conscientious designers making changes within their business to conserve our planet and better peoples working conditions.

Fashion and jewellery designers are ensuring ethical work practices (this means no child labour and fair pay) and using organic, recycled and ethically mined materials in there production.

I stumbled across Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Michelle Baggerman on WGSN today. She has developed a technique for spinning used plastic bags into a durable yarn to create strong woven fabrics, involving neither heat or chemicals. The yarn is quite beautiful and when it wears out it can still be recycled in the conventional way.

 


Check out her work here http://bureaubaggerman.nl/ 

I have spent my 'maternity' leave researching ethical jewellery production and sourcing materials that are kind to our planet. Unfortunately there is no one place to find the information required so the process takes time. In saying that we are almost there!  Afterglow is soon to become a completely ethical and eco label.

The release of our new collection will coincide with our new eco ethos, its due out in late Spring so not long.

Its very inspiring to me when I find artists like Michelle dedicating her career to new production methods that recycle discarded materials. The earth needs more of her!

Bjorg Obsessed

Wander into the mind of Bjorg’s 2012 collection, most likely by unicorn and open your eyes to the possibilities. It’s where time is distorted, parallel universes exist and ancient tales and futuristic imagery are at the forefront of its very being. This mystique odyssey of imagination welcomes dark knights, pale moons, magic hours, misty mountains and of course yourself to explore its natural mystery. 

Bjorg Nordli-Mathisen grew up in Norway and began making one-of-a-kind jewellery whilst living in India in 2004. Today, Bjorg’s trademark is the use of uncut diamonds, raw crystals and precious stones with a natural finish. All the materials She uses like opals, crystals, feathers and horsehair are 100% natural and obtain in accordance to environmental preservation. 

This latest collection is said to be bounded by a dreamlike state where to look back and think “did that really happen?”. Therefore, throughout the collection Bjorg plays with the notion of escapist and romantic fantasies, mythology and tales.

All pieces are hand made and natural materials are also used like feathers and horsehair. If you would like to discover more of Bjorg's 2012 collection visit her website by clicking on this link Bjorg  

The unicorn is a lunar, a symbol of power and virility, not to be tamed by any man.

Time travel into the world of Bjorg. You will never know what you might become 

....Until Next Time Rochelle x

...Let it Begin

 New beginnings.. Rx

 

I feel the days are getting closer when we will meet again, I can almost smell your sweet scent and freshness of your breath lingering. It's been way too long and I have been in mourning over your late arrival. The days you have kept yourself away from me. I know I may be clingy and never want to let you go!! I just want to be around you and hold onto your very essence. You make me want to dance barefoot and swim in the ocean of your heart. Your presence is intoxicating. You are a drug for my soul and my warm and fuzzy soft spot.

However I am not the only one who is obsessed with your very being. You're the name on everyones lips. They whisper your lovely name 'SUMMER'.  That's right, SUMMER!!! "Wherefore art thou Summer?" 

 We haven't experienced your full potential yet. We know you have so much more love to give. Though, I feel you are closer than ever before. Your greatest quality is the your romance of sun drenched days and starlit nights. So let us hold hands and may you stick around for awhile because its with you that it all begins....

 The last few weeks feels like I got more of a tan from the glow of my computer than the sun itself and it has only been over the last couple days that summer has actually arrived. This feeling has got me amped for long hot days, sun kissed hair and the ocean breeze. As I pondered the joys that summer brings me I was curious to see what everyone else seemed to love about summer.

Therefore I asked a bunch of special people in my life "what they love about summer?" and here is what they came up with: 

Summer is filled with breaking the rules, standing apart, ignoring your head and following your heart

Fall in love with Summer and enjoy what it has to offer....Happy Holidays :) 

Rochelle xx 

 

 

Switcheroo

We know deep down inside us we all love to throw on our boyfriends jumper an d cuddle up in its oversized goodness. It makes us feel a sense of security and comfort, and lets be honest we seem to always make their clothes look good. This urge to wear their hoodies over our own makes me wonder how the men feel about this clothes stealing activity?

The self taught photographer, Hana Pesut has taken this gender bender concept an extra leap forward. They say that a picture speaks a thousand words and judging by her photographs they scream so much more.

Based in Vancouver, Hana believes in capturing the little moments in life that people seem to miss and later on wish they had captured. So, throw your wishes to the sky because you wouldn't want to miss these creative, quirky photos that seem to trick the eyes at first glance. This ongoing project is called Switcheroo where couples are convinced to switch looks. The idea is to wear your partners clothes and other accoutrement. The couples take a picture in the same position to create an identical formation. Enjoy what Hana has to offer below.   

Brenna and Javan

Johnny and Mila 

Maya and Graham 

Cam and Caitlin 

Steve and Monika 

switch.er.oo         informal change, reversal, or exchange, esp. a surprising or deceptive one. 

If you would like to see more of Hana's work visit her website at Sincerely Hana

Rochelle xx 

Raise your glasses ladies and gentlemen because Afterglow has just launched their latest Spring/Summer 2011 collection, Patty's got a Gun.

  This collection has been predominately inspired by the seventies and the famous Patty Hearst. Keep your eyes opened behind those oversized sunglasses as the collection has already been dropping into boutiques and is now available on our online store. 

 

Take a blast to the past with a seventies obsession, where crochet rained, glamour florished and freedom, peace and love were worth fighting for. This collection reflects just that, the spirit of the seventies shimmering back to life through the each piece of jewellery. 

Here is a sneak peek of the the collection..

 Throughout the collection is sterling silver of the finest, hand carved timber made with love, crochet pieces that only nana's could make this good, turquoise which captures the ocean in a stone, gold dipped goodness, leather as soft as butter, plus so much more.  

   Featured above is a the wonder woman feel the fever gold dipped cuff with turquoise, hand carved timber and gold leaf pendant and finally a double finger ring with turquoise and sterling silver  

From  left to right: karma earrings with hand carved burmese jade, turquoise and cotton tassel. Im a believer cotton tassel earrings with sterling silver and turquoise and Im loaded gold dipped pendant on a leather chain. 

Below is a free me leather tassel pendant with a copper chain and heiress neckpiece with iron pyrite, silver, turquoise and hand carved timber.  

This collection oozes fabulousness and style beyond compare, reminiscent of the good old days and capturing the essence of what we all love about the past and bringing it forward to the future. If you like what you see, check out more of the collection @ Afterglow Jewellery or in store at Milton NSW. (some collection pieces are limited editions and one off pieces so email us if you see something you like but can't find it online, sales@afterglowjewellery.com)
By the way, thought you might be interested in discovering who Patty Hearst is, in case you didn't know. Here's a little info....

Patricia “Patty” Hearst is a multi million dollar heiress, socialite, kidnapping victim  and convicted bank robber. Patty was abducted in 1974 at age 19 by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) and later joined her captors in furthering their cause. Two months after her abduction, Patty was photographed wielding a M1 carbine while robbing a bank with other SLA members. Patty was imprisoned for almost two years. behind bars, Patty enlisted her occupation as “Urban Guerilla” and asked her attorney to relay the following Message: 

“Tell everybody that I’m  smiling, that I feel free and strong and I send my greetings and love to all the  sisters and brothers out there”      

Peace, love and Friendship 

Rochelle xx

A Gift that keeps on Giving

Who would have thought that gemstones hold so much more value than just looking majestic, visually appealing and easy on the eyes?  

 They seem to be NOT just a pretty face, but gemstones are known to give us gifts of love, happiness, peace, balance,  release of anxiety plus so much more. Gemstones have been used throughout history in ancient cultures for everything, from adorning a King’s crown to aiding in the healing process of broken bones.

Whilst the jeweller allows us to wear a sapphire blue lake on our finger, emerald green leaves around our neck, and take the citrine sunset with us wherever we go, the gemstone itself is believed to be also gifting us. Peace and happiness from the sapphire, lifting depression from the emerald and balancing impatience and restlessness from the citrine stone. It is the gift that just keeps on giving.

Gems have a life in them, the stone heals, their colours speak, say what words fail of (paraphrased George Eliot quote). Here are a few definitions of the various gemstones and their properties.

Agate- believed to help you gain more clarity

Amethyst- said to lift burdens and allow happiness to come in

Aquamarine- said to assure love and affection plus a release of anxiety and fear

Carnelian- balance creativity and help you gain more energy

Garnet- believed to stimulate the senses and increase stamina

Smokey Quartz- brings balance and harmony

Turquoise- believed to be the stone of friendship

 



Gemstones have been cherished ever since man first saw them glow in the sunlight. They have been treasured for many years and will be appreciated for many years to come. And the best thing of all is when you love them they seem love you back.  

 

 

Little Lost Sheep

 
 Spring is only a couple of days away and I can feel it in the air more than ever! As I look around nature is showing us its true spring colours. Flowers are blooming, leaves are sprouting and there is a noticeable difference in the vibe on the streets. People are starting to come out of hibernation and enjoy the love of the sun and warmth in the air. Whilst the layers are stripping , I somehow am struggling to let go of my winter woollens. 

I am still in love with the feel of snuggling up in an oversized woollen cardi, being wrapped in a woollen scarf and cocooning myself with a woollen blanket. I am not ready to break-up with this woollen goodness, it can't be over and the ethical luxury brand, Issy Lane, who specialises in wool as soft as cashmere is making it that much harder. Want to know why this unique brand has captured my attention and heart?

  

Izzy Lane has not only become a leading voice of animal welfare in the fashion industry but also as one of the leading ethical brands in the world. This luxury brand has rescued 600 rare breed sheep which would have been sent to slaughter for various reasons such as being too small, too old or missing a pregnancy. Instead, these precious sheep have the opportunity to live out their natural lives in Izzy Lane’s sheep sanctuary and their wool is used in the brands knitwear and wovens. They have won the RE New Designer of the Year Award at the world’s first ethical fashion awards in Shoreditch and were also asked to show their collection in a catwalk show for the Queen.

 
  Among their flock, are a small primitive breed known as Shetlands which have fibres as soft as cashmere. Their fleeces are woven into cloth for the Izzy Lane’s range of jackets, coats and shirts. Izzy Lane not only makes clothes but also vegetarian shoes and boots which are made from faux leathers, crocs and snakeskin and organic cotton.

I highly recommend you visit Izzy Lane’s website and read the stories about the sheep and the shepherd. The stories will melt your heart.

 
Here is the link to their website:  http://izzylane.com/

Enjoy the last few chilly days while they last...                                                     Rochelle xx

The Gathering

We  love the concept of taking something that was destined for destruction and breathing life into its very being, allowing it again to be a useful and innovative design. Each second hand product has a past, but by recycling it you have the power to determine its future. Something forgotten is found, restored and given new subsistence. An object that was once loved can be loved once more.

                                                

Each year improvements in technology have resulted in the ability to recycle more materials. Society has become more aware of the benefits of recycling and looking after the world in which we live. Therefore, what’s not to love about the prospect of recycled goods? 

Below are some recycled products by designers who choose to use something old rather than make something new.

 

Left going clockwise: Necklace designed by Tom Binns. Binns designs and markets high quality contemporary recycled jewellery pieces, using vintage pendants and crystals. The Hand painted crystal massai necklace above sells for $2175.00 US. The inventive light is made with old fluorescent tubes by design collective Castor Candensis. Who would of thought that a shopping trolley could be turned into a retro style chair and look incredible. Also reinventing an iron as a light and bicycle tyres as a coffee table. Bliss! 

This couture dress is made out of pleated paper and the necklaces are made from old school flip style clock faces.

 From left to right: Gold neckpiece is made out of bottle caps by Israeli designer, Yoav Kotik from Kotik Designs. The clothes hangers are made from the backs of old chairs. Finally the shoes are made out of old denim jeans. 

Making use of an old cast iron bathtub by turning it into a sofa. The ring pictured above is made out of tally paper valued at $130.00. This trendy clutch bag is made from aluminium can pull rings and finally a bicycle wheel has been transformed into a clock. 

Resorting the past for a better future has never been this much fun. These crazy recycled concepts doesn’t cost the earth, it only makes it a whole lot more creative, beautiful and inspiring. 

Reduce. Reuse. Design!

Rochelle xx

afterglowjewellery.com

 

All those who in July are Born, the Gleaming Ruby should Adorn…

 

Ru-by  

[roo-bee]

-noun

1. a red variety of corundum, used as a gem.

 Rubies remind me of diving into the deepest depths of someones heart and becoming friends with their deepest dreams, secrets and desires. Each ruby comes with a story. So put on your scuba gear, come on a journey with me and discover the beauty of this precious gemstone...

The ruby is understood to be the birthstone for the month of July.

The ruby is the oldest and first known of all precious stones and it has been placed in high regards, deemed as the KING of the gemstones. Still to this day the ruby is considered the most valuable and beautiful of the precious gemstones of all the earth.

This valued gemstone symbolises devotion, courage and happiness. It is believed to discourage betrayal and encourage friendship and marriage. This stone is also called the ‘glowing stone’ as the flame inside never seems to go out and therefore is said to represent the sun.

The ruby is found in limestone deposits on side hills and alluvial deposits of clay and gravel in riverbeds. The value of rubies depends upon their colour and transparency. The shades of a natural ruby vary from light and dark red and they also seem to have a purplish undertone.The best source for rubies is Burma. Burmese rubies are very well known for their pigeon blood colour. Some rubies are much more valuable than a fine diamond of the same size depending on their colour.

 Here are some fab jewellery designers work, who seem to love rubies just as much as we do!!  
Details of the designer and  their work are listed below starting from the top left hand corner going clockwise:

Ileana Makri: ladybird 18 karat white gold ruby earrings.

Website: makri.gr/

Solange Azagury-Partridge: 18ct Yellow-gold, ruby, diamond and enamel ring.

Website: http://www.solangeazagurypartridge.com/

Shaun Leane: Ruby hook my heart 18ct yellow gold with pave set rubies.

Website: http://www.shaunleaneshop.com/index

The natural sapphire company: 8.62ct cushion cut Burmese ruby

website: http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Rubies/
 

Solange Azagury-Partridge: Hot Lips 18-karat white gold ruby ring

Until next time

Rochelle xx