After our bridal trend story ran in January, a reader sent us a note about another trend; her nephew had given his intended a "conflict-free, non-blood-diamond moissanite stone." We Googled and found the ring, and then tracked down the ringmaker.
Gustav Reyes, the son of a carpenter, developed a love for woodworking at an early age. As his career took him from cabinet making to furniture making, it was a request from his wife that brought him to jewelry making, specifically, sustainable wooden rings.
"One day my wife, who has a metal allergy, approached me with the idea of making a wooden ring that would be an affordable alternative (to metal), and something she could wear on a daily basis," says Reyes. "I began experimenting with different techniques and materials and found a combination that worked."
His business began as a small operation based on Etsy.com - the online shopping site for homemade and vintage wares - and grew to become Simply Wood Rings ( www.simplywoodrings.com), his Chicago-based jewelry company. The wooden wedding rings are made with mostly salvaged wood and conflict-free alternatives to diamonds, such as blue topaz and moissanite.
"I work with a variety of re-purposed materials that have been given to me or simply found," says Reyes. "These materials can range from salvaged lumber from other craftspersons, remnants from old jewelry, elements from musical instruments and found objects such as concrete and flecks of rusted metal."
So far, the response to the wooden rings has been quite positive, with the jewelry appealing to those looking for an alternative to the traditional metal-and-diamond bands. And the option of customizing allows couples to create rings that truly represent them.
"One customer submitted three stones that she and her now partner collected during a journey along the Appalachian trail," says Reyes. "She incorporated these stones into an engagement ring that signified the beginning of their relationship and the journey of their future."
Certain Things trunk show
Back in the day, women went to the fabric store, picked out a pattern and chose a fabric to make their own clothes. They got to choose the style, fit and print of what they wore. The Andria Lieu line works sort of the same way. The designer allows women to pick the style of shirt from their line, and then choose the fabric pattern, creating their own look.
Certain Things at North Hills will feature some of the newest styles from the Andria Lieu collection at a trunk show, Thursday, 10 a.m to 7 p.m. New pieces for spring and summer include feminine, airy blouses and more structured jackets in vibrant spring colors and patterns. Customers can choose fabric from sample swatches and have it matched to the style top they want.
Certain Things is at 4350 Lassiter Mill Road, Raleigh. 786-6104, www.andrialieu.com
Lilly loves green
After this long, cold winter, we could all stand a little taste of spring. Though the season's still a little more than a week away, shoppers can get a preview at Belk's "Lilly Loves Green" event, Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrating the launch of the new Lilly Pulitzer "Lilly Loves Green" line, the store will debut pieces from the line, which features prints inspired by wildlife and endangered species. Partnering with the World Wildlife Fund, Lilly Pulitzer will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from select pieces in the line to the WWF.
Belk will serve Jungle Juice and other sweets, and will offer limited-edition gifts for purchases of $500 or more.
Belk is in Crabtree Valley Mall at 4325 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 782-7010, www.lillypulitzer.com/page/lillylovesgreen
Target gets print happy
Just a week after the Jean Paul Gaultier collection hit Target, the big box retailer is launching another designer collaboration.
Liberty of London's limited-time collection features its micro-floral prints on houseware items like pillows, mugs, and trays, plus gardening tools and a pretty fabulous pink-and-white floral print bicycle.
For the body, kids and baby clothings - we especially loved the girl's denim romper with pink floral belt and ties, the flip-flops and the two-piece ruffled swimsuit for toddlers. For women, there's a crop of dresses of varying lengths, swimsuits, loungewear and rain gear. Men can choose from dress shirts, boxers and ties.
Be forewarned: This is not for the faint-hearted. These prints are bold and vivid.
