5/27/08
Sneak Peek
The High Noon collection which debuts-SOON-at the Pulse tradeshow will
have rings! This is a sneak peek at what these look like, sterling silver or gold vermeil, (3mm band width). Not available till mid June 08.
5/25/08
New PM Rings
Our new addition to the PM collection is our vintage cuff link rings. The PM collection
uses vintage or found pieces constructing new jewelry out of the old. Due to the quick demand
for the PM collection we rarely have a chance to post product online. If you are interested in
personally purchasing this line please contact us via email.
5/20/08
Anorak
Anorak's "Kissing Animals" is the launch collection for Laurie Robertson. Laurie is a close friend of mine that I met while studying in England. Anorak will also be exhibiting at the Pulse Tradeshow & is the reason for our involvement with Pulse. Seen above (kissing horses bedding & kissing rabbits garden kneeling pad). I am very proud of Laurie! High Noon
My next collection "High Noon" is influenced by the wild west, 70's western movies, parlors, horses, saloons, & the like. Above is a picture of Grace Kelly in the movie High Noon. I will be debuting this line at Pulse tradeshow, this is my first collection which will have rings available.
5/18/08
Fragments from my Grandparents Farm
My grandparents live just down the road from my farm where I grew up. So lots of time was spent there. As you can see my roots are deeply sewn in the earthiness of farm life. These photos are by my cousin Chris who does Dirtroad Photography, he captured the place beautifully. I will continually post pictures taken by Chris, whose sensitivity to rural subjects also reflects my own.
5/13/08
Pics from the Studio
The studio(research station). This is my friend Star's white chair that has been left with me, it does not get used enough.
The toolbox.
Looking Glass
I have been making these compact mirrors with special Early Jewelry images as a complementary gift from my business since our website Launch party in 2005. We love handing them out to people interested in Early. I am now including one with online orders. They go quickly so we were constantly "out", we are making a strong effort to keep a supply always on hand. There are about 7 different images available, some designed by my friend Ilka Iwanczuk. Below, Kristen who assists me with jewelry production is making a compact in the studio. 
5/10/08
Design Getaway
A few weekends ago I decided that a weekend getaway was needed. I packed up a suitcase of design research and headed to The Elms Resort in Excelsior Springs, MO. The weekend was fabulous and The Elms atmosphere was soothing & nostalgic. I went solo having a chance to leave my home/studio & reflect on design questions. The beginning of June I will be showcasing these new designs at the PULSE tradeshow in London, my first international show.
Handmade for Urban Outfitters
When Early Jewelry says “handmade,” we mean it in the fullest sense. Every wire is cut, bent, and polished by hand, including ear wires, necklace clasps, and jump rings in Lawrence, KS by our small crew of workers. By hand-building the pieces, we can ensure the highest quality and durability at each stage of production.
This is true even of major orders; for example, in October of 2007, Urban Outfitters ordered a total of 6,000 pieces, to be delivered in phases from the end of November to mid-December. The workshop became a factory. Jewelry-making stations were set up all over the house. Early Jewelry’s small team worked overtime, every weekend, until the order was completed.
Even during this time, when our small crew was stressed to the max, we kept up these high quality standards. Every single one of those 6,000 pieces was still made from start to finish by hand; wires were cut and sanded, bone pieces were matched up two by two, ear wires and clasps were bent as carefully and conscientiously as always.
In this era of mechanization and mass production, Early Jewelry is proud to offer its creations, made in the spirit of true artisan craftmanship.
My family was forced to help sort beads & sand wires at our Thanksgiving Day meal for the Urban order, which I hosted intentionally to have their help. My niece Leah gave us orders, but eventually got bored with the whole ordeal.
This is true even of major orders; for example, in October of 2007, Urban Outfitters ordered a total of 6,000 pieces, to be delivered in phases from the end of November to mid-December. The workshop became a factory. Jewelry-making stations were set up all over the house. Early Jewelry’s small team worked overtime, every weekend, until the order was completed.
Even during this time, when our small crew was stressed to the max, we kept up these high quality standards. Every single one of those 6,000 pieces was still made from start to finish by hand; wires were cut and sanded, bone pieces were matched up two by two, ear wires and clasps were bent as carefully and conscientiously as always.
In this era of mechanization and mass production, Early Jewelry is proud to offer its creations, made in the spirit of true artisan craftmanship.
My family was forced to help sort beads & sand wires at our Thanksgiving Day meal for the Urban order, which I hosted intentionally to have their help. My niece Leah gave us orders, but eventually got bored with the whole ordeal.
5/9/08
LOLA Spring Show a success!
Early Jewelry would like to thanks the Ladies of Lawrence and the many supporters who attended the show. If you couldn't make it, check out the images below.
One Mango Tree, one of the vendors at the LOLA show, is doing amazing international work. This company employs women as tailors to make beautiful products such as yoga mat covers, oven mitts, aprons, handbags, lunch bags, and more. One Mango Tree operates under a fair trade model to help women in Uganda generate their own income. Please check out the Web site, www.onemangotree.com, to buy gifts or make a donation.
Photos by Heather Kearns
One Mango Tree, one of the vendors at the LOLA show, is doing amazing international work. This company employs women as tailors to make beautiful products such as yoga mat covers, oven mitts, aprons, handbags, lunch bags, and more. One Mango Tree operates under a fair trade model to help women in Uganda generate their own income. Please check out the Web site, www.onemangotree.com, to buy gifts or make a donation.
Photos by Heather Kearns5/1/08
A supplier with environmental conscience
Since Early Jewelry began, we’ve ordered metals from Rio Grande, a company in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its spring newsletter described the company’s efforts to become more environmentally efficient and to minimize its impact on the ecosystem. Their efforts to be ecologically responsible are impressive.
The company has been using recovered metals for the last twenty years, taking in scrap metal from photographic wastes, used catalysts, computer and electronics parts, jewelry, dental material and silverware. Now, Rio Grande recycles more metal than it uses.
Rio Grande has also developed ways to manufacture metals which save energy and reduce waste. They also clean their finished products with soap and water instead of toxic solvents.
Since Rio Grande moved to its current location 10 years ago, they revamped their factory building to be more energy efficient; now the factory uses 50 percent less energy AND one-third less water. And, of course, they purchase recycled materials and actively recycle paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum.
Like Rio Grande, Early Jewelry values the same broad-spectrum environmental efforts, and we’re proud to support their business with our own.
The company has been using recovered metals for the last twenty years, taking in scrap metal from photographic wastes, used catalysts, computer and electronics parts, jewelry, dental material and silverware. Now, Rio Grande recycles more metal than it uses.
Rio Grande has also developed ways to manufacture metals which save energy and reduce waste. They also clean their finished products with soap and water instead of toxic solvents.
Since Rio Grande moved to its current location 10 years ago, they revamped their factory building to be more energy efficient; now the factory uses 50 percent less energy AND one-third less water. And, of course, they purchase recycled materials and actively recycle paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum.
Like Rio Grande, Early Jewelry values the same broad-spectrum environmental efforts, and we’re proud to support their business with our own.
LOLA Spring Show
Early Jewelry will be featured in a local show this Saturday: the Ladies of Lawrence Artwork (LOLA) springtime event. Nine local artisan women show a melee of crafts available to buy.
This Saturday only, you can find special Early Jewelry pieces made just for the show: metal silhouettes of buffaloes and roosters made into pendants, and some surprises...
Ladies of Lawrence Artwork-LOLA
Saturday, May 3
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Pachamama's
8th & New Hampshire
Check out LOLA's web site: http://www.ladiesoflawrence.blogspot.com
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