Lena Loves… Sailorgirl (Contest!) CLOSED
In my collection of pretty baubles, there are about 5 pieces that I absolutely adore. These are items I reach for when I want to jazz up an outfit, play up my features, or simply bask in compliments from admiring strangers. Included in the top 5 is my Purple & Pink Bubble Pendant from Sailorgirl Jewelry.
Purchased over two years ago, it’s still the perfect pairing for a black maxi dress, white tee, or pink sweater. LOVES it! I first became intrigued with Sailorgirl when I came across her designs at the One of A Kind Art Show in Toronto. Her pieces were so whimsical and vibrant, it literally took eons to decide on the right pendant (and even then, I ended up buying three). And though her talent for creating jaw-dropping jewelry was quite evident, what impressed me most was the the story behind the brand.
In a previous life, the designer, Catherine, worked for a small software start-up company. It was fun for a while… and then it was not. While considering life’s possibilities, she and her partner purchased a small sailboat, and before long, discovered their true passion. Soon after, she decided that life is too short to spend time doing un-fun things; Catherine quit her job and spent the next 5 months sailing to Cuba. (Um, yeah – jealous.) Sailorgirl was born.
Having escaped the rat race, she decided that she needed to have a “lifestyle” business; one that would allow her to live her dreams. Sailorgirl Jewelry was created in 2003. And now, when Catherine wakes up in the morning, she can’t wait to get to work!
Sailorgirl’s designs are inspired by the world around her. Where others see objects, Catherine see colours. Using a propane/oxygen torch and kiln, she turns raw glass into brightly coloured beads. She then pairs up the beads with sterling silver to create whimsical, fun, shiny, happy jewelry. Every piece is one-of-a-kind.
In her her pieces that sparkle, there is absolutely no paint on any of the beads, just glass upon glass upon glass (upon glass – each bead can incorporate between 4-8 layers). At around the third layer, the bead is rolled in fine silver leaf, then encased in more glass. Finally, when the bead is large enough, it is mashed flat so that the silver disperses. This is what gives the beads the shimmering transparency that will light up a room (and bring you oodles of compliments – check out the Midnight Sparkle Pendant below).
Her bubble pendants are made much the same way, using Moretti (Effetre) glass, a little CIM glass and occasionally Vetrofond. All of the beads are made by hand and are kiln annealed, thoroughly cleaned and inspected.
Here are some of my favourite designs (click to enlarge):
Pretty hot! There’s nothing like a flirty, fun and fabulous piece of jewelry to completely lift your mood, confidence and attitude! The three pendants that I own are constantly in heavy rotation around my neck (I happen to be wearing my Purple & Pink today – sooo pretty; I promise to take a pic later).
If you live in the Toronto area and would like to see Sailorgirl Jewelry in person, visit her new Toronto showroom at Flux + Form (116 1/2 Sherbourne Street). For complete contact details, please click here. For online shopping, shipping across Canada is just $3, and all items ship within 48 hours. All items are gift wrapped and can be sent anywhere in the world! ($4 to the USA, $5 international).
Click here to begin shopping at Sailorgirl Jewelry.
Contest time!
Sailorgirl has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win her breathtaking Signature Ocean Pendant picture below.
“It’s like wearing a nugget of the ocean around your neck! If you spend a day by the seaside, you’ll notice that the water changes as the sun moves across the sky. Every ocean has different shades of blues and greens, and I’ve brought as many shades into play here as I could.
The ocean pendant, which details a shimmering transparency reminiscent of the ocean in sunshine, is approximately 25mm x 23mm and hangs from a sterling silver snake chain (your choice of 16” or 18”). Retail Value $45.”
To enter, simply visit Sailorgirl’s online store, take a peek around, and leave a comment telling us your favourite(s). I’ll draw for a winner next Monday. Good luck everybody!
hmmm…hard to pick but i really like the coral turquoise earrings..love the colour combo :)
Love the blue ocean ring pendent! Beautiful work Catherine!
Fabulous designs- Love the blue ocean ring pendent !
I love the blue ocean ring pendant and the red doodle pendant
I really like the pink ribbon earrings! And the midnight sparkle earrings & matching pendant are gorgeous – very unique!
I found Sailorgirl at the one of a kind show also. They are all great designs. I like the Ocean dangle necklace and the retro red polka dot pendant.
My fave are the painted desert earrings
These are adorable. I might just grab some for my friends' kids!thanks for the ideas!
I heart the following:- sandstone lampwork glass pendant- river and rock pendant- midnight sparkle pendant- silver eiffel tower
I love contests, but I love Sailorgirl's jewelry even more. There is something about the crazy-beautiful nexus between glass and water that makes her ocean pieces vibrantly alive. My favorites naturally include the signature ocean pendant, with its amazing depth and cool blend of blues & greens, the "ocean twisty" and ocean earrings for the same reasons, the amazing "bubbly dots" earrings (especially the albino peacock and the turquoise/ivory versions), and the absolutely yummy honey bubble earrings. And the dramatic midnight sparkle pieces (earrings, pendant) move heaven and earth! Outstanding!
oooo, i've seen her stuff before! really neat-o!I love the pink flower pendant…of course!
Besides the pendant from the contest, I love the matching earrings and I also love the cotton candy pendant. I lived in Italy for a little bit and I really appreciate glass artistry.
For me, I love the Electric Watermelon bracelet, but I thought of my lovely mom right away when I saw the Sandstone lampworks pendant……would make great girlie gifts for all kinds of my friends & family!
I love the honey bubble glass! great stuff
i love the ivory peacock earrings.
Really love the different stylesAllie
they were all very pretty, but my two favs were grass and sky charm bracelet and electric watermelon bracelet
sooo many colours – beautifuli really likeA cranberry explosion and Electric watermelon. Very nice!!
love the designs- and it's cool to see someone doing something they love! My favourite has to be: sand dollar stud earrings – love stud earrings:)
Love the watermelon bracelet. It's the prettiest bracelet I've ever seen!
loved so so so so many!! pink flower my FAV!!!i think its great to share her talents with us!i have passed her website on to others i think will also love her items!tracey
I love all of them, so hard to decide but I think some of my faves were: – sand dollar earrings – blue ocean earring – pink ribbon bracelet – santa fe colour dot – sandstone lampwork
The red doodle pendant would have to be my favourite, Thank you for the post. I will definitely bookmark her page for gift giving at Christmas.
they're all beautiful.I'm gonna have to pick the Cotton Candy Pendent
I have long been a fan of Sailorgirl's jewellery and it is very hard to pick a favourite, but I think I'll have to go with any of the Sante Fe pieces – I just love the way the white and turquoise dots go together! I'm kind of groovin' on the 70's retro beads as well!
I really love the turqoise and cream earrings. They are a favourite colour combination of mine. I love everything, but I have to single the earrings out!Maureen
The cool shapes and contrasting colors make this an awesome collection! would love one of those neclaces..
It's my first time seeing Sailorgirls art! Great work!! I like the Midnight Sparkle pendant best – black and silver – what's not to like! Adrhazel@aol.com
i like the midnight sparkle pendant
My favourite is the painted dessert earings. They are so pretty!
My favorite is grass and sky charm bracelet. Thanks for the giveaway!Enter my giveaways and list yourshttp://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/
I love the sand dollar stud earrings, they're so unique. I'll keep my fingers crossed.