Posts from — November 2011

Happy Cyber Monday Lovelies! Today we are excited to sit down and talk with the the two sisters from the super cute company Rosella Resin. Not only are these two ladies really sweet but they also create gorgeous handmade bracelets and rings featuring found objects such as feathers, moss and pretty leaves.

Here is what the duo had to say about their company and what keeps them inspired! Oh and they are giving you all a special discount to save 15% off your purchase from their etsy shop with coupon code EVERSOLOVELY.

Jessica and Gwynne Burgess are the talented sisters and designers behind Rosella Resin.

How did you get started in this field?

Jessica: I was living in Melbourne and signed up to take a mould making and resin jewellery course. I was also doing a lot of exploring and collecting beautiful parrot feathers that I would use in the jewellery.

Gwynne:  When Jessica came back home she taught me what she had learned and together we experimented some more, created new designs and started our Etsy shop.

Did you go to art school or are you self taught?

Jessica: I went to school for media and communications, but have always had an interest in art. I took the resin jewellery course mentioned above.

Gwynne: I am currently an engineering student. We’ve both always had keen interest in the creative arts. We’re also both taking a sculpture and mould making night class at the Ottawa School of Art. It’s a really great group of people working on a wide variety of projects – everything from boat parts to masks to chocolates.

How did you come up with you company’s name and brand?

Jessica: The rosella is a beautiful Australian parrot that comes in many colours. The crimson rosella is found around Victoria and they have beautiful red and purple feathers. I was always looking for beautiful rosella feathers on the ground and I found  a couple that I preserved in resin.

Gwynne: Our jewellery has two main categories – some contains real artifacts from nature such as feather, lichen or shells and some takes inspiration from nature – we do a lot with metallic flakes and pigments to mimic minerals and gemstones.

What is the most challenging aspect of jewelry designing?

Jessica: Staying focused and keeping a cohesive look. There are so many things I want to put in resin and so many different shapes for bangles and rings, it’s easy to get carried away!

Gwynne: It’s also difficult to predict what colour trends to take cues from, and which to avoid – colours are so much fun, so sometimes I get carried away with summery tones in the dead of winter. Luckily, it’s always summer somewhere!

What is your most favorite thing about jewelry designing?

Jessica: Demoulding or taking the cast resin out of the rubber moulds! It’s always a surprise because you never know exactly how it will turn out.

Gwynne: Agreed – taking the resin out of the moulds is super fun. It always rewards you for your patience waiting for the resin to cure (which is several days).

What is your favorite piece in your collection?

Jessica: I love the oblong multifaceted ring with Japanese maple keys from our grandma’s tree – that’s probably my favorite, although I am also particular to the African Grey feathers

Gwynne: I am currently loving anything with a muted green lichen!

Who are some of your favorites artists and why?

Jessica: I love Jason deCaires Taylor’s Underwater Sculptures. Definitely on my list of scuba-diving destinations! I am also continually in awe by the amazing illustrators of etsy.

Gwynne: Frank Gehry – he’s a great Canadian architect and it’s great to experience his designs in person.

Can you describe what your creative process is like:

Gwynne: We seem to do a lot in spurts, where we have late nights fueled by Tim Horton’s coffee and Project Runway episodes.

What inspires you?

Jessica: I love the details and patterns found in nature – the spiral in a fern, grains of wheat, birch bark, lines in a feather. I love looking at macro photography of things up close.

Gwynne:  I think every artist or designer has taken inspiration from nature but in nature is really where the most beautiful designs are found.

In your opinion, what makes a successful piece?

Jessica: One that is simple, elegant but also makes people look twice.

Gwynne: For jewellery – something that brightens your day.

If you could take a peek into any designer or artist’s studio, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

Jessica: Winged Lion creates these beautifully detailed silver rings with little sculpted figures holding up the gemstones. The patterns are sculpted in wax under a microscope – I’ve never seen anything like it and would love to see the process.

Gwynne: Patrick Blanc, Theo Jansen, or Dean Kamen.

You are most proud of…

Jessica: the great connections we’ve made with so many innovators in the past year.

Gwynne: the continuous development of our products – always improving, always realizing new ideas.

In five years you want to….
Jessica: have traveled to Borneo.
Gwynne: have graduated!

Do you have any upcoming events where people can see more of your work?
Jessica: We’re currently at the Cambridge Galleries show and sale

What is one thing you cannot go without?

Jessica: coffee
Gwynne: Chocolate, cozy sweater, good tunes.

Do you have assistants or do you do everything yourself?
Gwynne: I wish we had assistants, especially for the sanding! Right now it’s just a two-sister operation doing everything from start to finish.

Coffee or tea?
Jessica: Coffee. A dirty chai to be precise
Gwynne:  I’m not picky. ;)

Thanks Jessica and Gwynne for taking the time to talk with us! If you would like to submit your shop to be featured on Ever So Lovely, please see our submissions page on how to contact us!

Tomorrow is Cyber Monday and if you are looking for some fabulous gifts to give this year, here are five lovely treasures that won’t break the bank. Each one is under $50 and were starting off the list with this awesome Octopus coat rack for $48 (pictured above).

The Drawing Room necklace is so perfect for the holidays coming in at $48.

At $32, you can pick up several of this pretty green earrings for your mom, sister, best friend and yourself!

Celestial colored coasters would make a great hostess gift this holiday season. They are also available in nine color options and are just $32 for a set of four.

How pretty is this pink scalloped scarf for $38? If pink is not your first choice, it’s also available in a pale yellow color.

Hi Lovelies! We just wanted to take a quick moment to remind everyone that today is Small Business Saturday. While you are out this weekend getting your holiday shopping on, please take a moment to purchase some gifts from your local businesses and artisans that depend on your purchases. Here are a few of our favorite items from some lovely independent shops.

This “cute as hell” hand-stamped pillow cover by Phoenix, Arizona designer Debra Williamson would make a great gift either for yourself or someone on your list. ($44)

We love this adorable bag with handmade crocheted flowers in various colors by Turkey designer Star Bags for $215.00

Looking for a gift for the owl lover who has everything? Try this mixed-media framed print from Elm Place for $19.20.

Need a gift for the chef or gardener in your family? This chili pepper photo series from the Russian and Brazilian shop ZaiaZoom is only $24.

Haven’t decided on a prop for your holiday photos or winter wedding yet? We LOVE this BE MERRY burlap banner from At Company B and at only $25 you have to scoop this up!

The perfect gravy boat for $12 won’t break the bank and will be perfect for your holiday dinners from vintage etsy shop In My Igloo.

This next piece has us speechless. One of the prettiest vintage card catalogs we’ve ever seen. Pick this up beauty for $325 over at Bonn Bonn.

This hair pin is so adorable and perfect for both little and grown up princesses alike. They come in silver and gold and is only $7.20 for a single crown pin (shown above) or if you are looking for a set…

you can get the Mother and Daughter set (shown above) for $20 from the lovely Ukraine shop Dariami.

Who wouldn’t love a dozen of these red and black lace sugar cookies ($30) from Birmingham, Alabama bake shop the Piece de Resistance.

A perfect gift for anyone on your holiday list – Four hand-pulled letterpress Mojave coasters by San Francisco design shop In Haus Press are a steal at $10.

Stay tuned to the Ever So Lovely blog for more independent holiday finds and if you are a designer and would like to submit your products to be featured on the blog, visit our submissions page. Happy Holidays Lovelies!

Happy Thanksgiving Lovelies! We just wanted to take the time to wish you all a wonderful holiday and that each and every one of you are celebrating today with your loved ones. We’ve spent a good portion of today in the kitchen cooking and are so excited to have our first holiday in our new home! As you can see, one of our cats spent the day in the kitchen eager for her portion of turkey. We were blessed with great weather here in North Carolina and bright blue skies were all around! Here are a few images from today! Sorry we didn’t get a chance to take a photo of our turkey but we promise it was fabulous! Happy Thanksgiving all!