Earth Day Fashion: Eco-Friendly Jewelry and Accessories

Earth Day is the perfect time to support designers with a "green" thumb. Everything She Wants recently discovered two talented female artisans with a commitment to using natural, sustainable, and recycled materials for their edgy and bohemian jewelry designs.

Mina Caragay

With a glance at her chunky, natural stone encrusted jewels you'd never know that Mina Caragay is a newbie to jewelry design. Six months ago, Mina left her job as a visual merchandiser for Nordstrom to pursue her passion to craft wearable art.

Dear Mina designs

Her line of rocker-chic statement necklaces is called Dear Mina. For her "Castaway Collection 2011" the San Francisco resident used raw, organic materials like pyrite nuggets and quartz crystal to mimic metallic spikes and studs.

Dear Mina's initial collection, "Galactic Nomad," is fashioned from hand cut leather tassels on brass and bronze chains, and precious stones like agate, jade, and pink opal. Currently sold online, Dear Mina pieces are made with love and retail for $60 and up.

Amy Pfaffman

"I see potential in everything," says Amy Pfaffman. "When these common materials are worn as jewelry, they're reconsidered and valued in a new way."

The trained industrial designer sees beauty in functional objects and materials such as colored sewing thread and vintage thimbles, and has used recycled and repurposed materials to craft jewelry before it was en vogue. Based in Marin County, California, Amy often combs flea markets for inspiration.

Amy Pfaffman New York City skyline, laser cut felt scarf.

"I see potential in everything," she says. "When these common materials are worn as jewelry, they're reconsidered and valued in a new way."

Amy's designs retail from $25 - $150 ($234 for the laser cut felt scarves) and are sold online, in select boutiques, and museum stores.

Photo credit: Tracy E. Hopkins

Comments

Conway Discount Clothing Chain Closing in New York City

(Tracy E. Hopkins) It's the end of a budget shopping era. Conway discount stores are closing in New York City . As of this weekend, a sign on the sole Herald Square location (34th Street btwn 7th and 8th Ave) says the store will close in "7 Days." Before I relocated to the Big Apple, I was introduced to the discount chain while on a bus trip from Baltimore. I recall the first time I saw Conway's signature pink bags carried by hurried shoppers in midtown. And Miss Foster, the trip organizer and a bargain hunter from way back, took me to the store for the first time. Conway store in the Fulton Mall./Tracy E. Hopkins When I moved here in 1994, my love affair with Conway continued. I furnished my first apartment with discount knick-knacks and home goods from the store. And much to my chagrin, in hindsight, I curated most of my wardrobe for my first full-time job from the long-shuttered 42nd Street and Third Avenue store. One regretful ensemble: Lime green and

Enter to Win the Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste Regimen Giveaway!

Jessica Simpson may not brush her teeth. But we all know that white teeth and fresh breath are as essential as adding a floral pattern to your wardrobe this spring. Crest wants the readers of Everything She Wants to have pretty pearly whites. So the brand is offering three lucky readers the chance to win a tube of the new Crest Pro-Health Sensitive Shield toothpaste, plus a Crest toothbrush and floss! The toothpaste offers sensitivity protection with no trade-offs by also protecting the seven areas dentists check most: cavities, gingivitis, plaque, tartar, sensitivity, whitening and fresh breath – all in one package! If you have sensitive teeth, you no longer have to spend your time and money using more than one toothpaste to get comprehensive oral health protection for their teeth and gums. To enter the giveaway, follow these three easy steps: 1) Respond to this post with your first name and email address and tell me your favorite toothpaste (hint, the answer sho

Win a $50 Gift Card for Fall Fashion Trends on Amazon.com!

Tweens and teens aren't the only ones who need new clothes for fall. We also need new tops, frocks, and trousers for work and play. Fortunately, Amazon.com has launched the new Amazon Contemporary Shop to suit our grown-up fashion needs. Me (r) and a model (l) wearing a MINKPINK maxi skirt from Amazon.com. The online boutique is stocked with trendy clothing, shoes and accessories for women and men by designer brands like Halston Heritage, Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent, Rock & Republic, BCBGeneration and more. I even picked up a great pair of Heidi Klum for New Balance (HKNB) sneakers for under $55! So, are you ready to shop? Everything She Wants will help one lucky reader jazz up her fall wardrobe with a $50 gift card to use online in the Amazon Contemporary Shop. Here's how to win: Retweet this post (if you don't have a Twitter account it's easy to sign up on Twitter.com) Subscribe to Everything She Wants via Google Connect, email or RSS Feed.

Everything She Wants

Search This Blog