With North Carolina girl Brooklyn Decker on the cover, it seems fitting that a Tar Heel jewelry company also gets some play in the new Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
StarCraft Diamonds Inc./Nautora of Washington crafted Guy Harvey necklaces worn by several of the models in the issue that hit newsstands last week. The jewelry, which has a nautical theme with fish and other sea life etched into gold and silver pendants, is based on Harvey's coastal-inspired art.
"I had always wanted to do a line of nautical jewelry," says Jim Fortescue, owner of StarCraft Diamonds/Nautora. "And I talked with [Harvey] and showed him some conceptual drawings and we went from there. Everything's done accurately from his artwork."
The process of transferring full-size paintings to small metal discs was tricky, but Fortescue wanted to be certain his jewelry was an accurate re-creation of the images from Harvey's work.
"We've got one of the best model makers in the world doing the work, and he understands the nature of the product," Fortescue says. "We try to get every detail as close as we can. Guy's known for the action in his work, so we really wanted to make that come through in these three-dimensional pieces."
Knowing many of the photos for Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue are shot seaside, Fortescue approached the magazine about incorporating the jewelry in some of the shots. The exposure has boosted sales, which is good not only for Fortescue's company and Harvey, but also for the Ocean Foundation, a conservation nonprofit that receives a portion of the proceeds from the jewelry.
"Guy Harvey's as big a conservationist as he is an artist," says Fortescue. "He's concentrating his efforts to help save the seas, and we're glad to help."
Find Guy Harvey jewelry at www.guyharveyjewelry.com.
This week in the
trunk ...
Chapel Hill artist Wendy Perry debuts new pieces from her Wendy Perry and Harper Jewelry lines this week at Ciao Bella Boutique in Cary. The trunk show, which runs Wednesday-Saturday, features Perry's spring designs. Her Wendy Perry line will include filigree pieces and spring jewel tones. The Harper collection features semiprecious stones, sterling and gold vermeil, with a vintage flair.
Trunk show hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Ciao Bella is at the Cary Arboretum, 2005 Renaissance Park Place. 678-8320, www.shopatciaobella .com .
More for the brides
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and many brides need a lot of help working out all the details. That's where the Triangle Bridal Association and its "A Happy Affair Wedding Show" come in. The event, 4:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, features guest speaker Stacie Francombe, founder and president of Get Married Media, which produces the WE network series "Get Married." Francombe will be on hand to offer tips and ideas to brides.
Brides can also taste cakes from local bakeries, meet with local photographers and visit the Hall of Gowns, which features some of the newest designs in wedding dresses.
The event is at North Ridge Country Club, 6612 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh. Tickets are $10. www.trianglebridal.com.
