Design Crush: Hester Crown Jewelry

As I gear up for a weekend full of independent fashion and design as I head to THREAD in San Francisco, I could not help but feature a post about my latest crafty crush. Hester Crown is brainchild of Laura Pecenco of San Diego and her work is, hands down, creatively cool and uniquely chic. Originally from Northern California and after spending some time in Berkeley for her undergrad, this California girl insists that living in sunny San Diego keeps the motivational juices flowing and helps to inspire her.  I met Laura when she was designing for her first jewelry company, Laurasaurus Designs. Sink your teeth into these colorful and delicious one-of-a-kind creations! With an eye for pushing the creative limits of contemporary jewelry, Hester Crown is Laura’s newest collection of artful pieces that you’ll definitely want to get your hands on. I caught up with Laura about her latest creations and inspirations.

Skeleton arm ring cast in bronze. 

Lariat necklace with sterling silver cast doll arms. 

Skeleton hands cast in bronze. Rose gold plate ear hooks. 

All photos by Yeesheen Yang.

[P&P] From beetle wings to bones in bronze, tell us more about what inspires your unique designs.
[Laura] I think bodies are absolutely amazing and beautiful, and I wanted to highlight those forms. I love selecting items that are both elegant and slightly creepy... pieces that make you do a double-take.

[P&P]  How did you come up with Hester Crown?
[L] One of my best friends, Ricki, actually came up with the name. I like that the name "Hester" has come to be associated with Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter - she is a strong woman with a very defiant nature. The "Crown" part is a play on both sophistication and on dental crowns (I have an obsession with teeth). I came up with the business because I wanted to separate these pieces, which are all cast or set by hand, from Laurasaurus Designs, the other jewelry business I run. Both jewelry lines encompass a quirkiness, but I feel that Hester Crown represents a different side of my work. 

[P&P] Who are your favorite jewelry designers?
[L] My friend Norissa actually just told me about Pamela Love, and I think her work is gorgeous. I am also a huge fan of one of my jewelry instructors, Tara Magboo, who runs Adorable Mayhem. 

[P&P] Where can we purchase our own custom pieces? 
[L] My work is available online and at craft shows so far. I have an etsy site (hestercrown.etsy.com) - more items will be posted soon! I also have a blog and a facebook page . I will be at the SoNo Holiday Park Fest on December 4 and at the Bar Pink Holiday Craft Fair on December 10.

[P&P] What is your favorite part about jewelry designing?
[L] I love the casting process. It is so rewarding to go through the process step by step, end up with this seemingly ugly chunk of metal, and then turn it into a beautiful, finished product. But I also really love when someone really connects with a piece! 
[P&P] Are you on Etsy?
[L] I am on etsy - hestercrown.etsy.com. I will be posting more items shortly!
[P&P] Tell us a little about what's next for Hester Crown.
[L] I am very excited about moving forward with Hester Crown. I plan to build up my inventory (I'm always working on new pieces) and get my jewelry into some stores. I am very much looking forward to the craft shows that are coming up. I will also be updating my blog and etsy pages, so stay tuned! 

For more on Hester Crown, stop by the Facebook page for the latest on news, events and designs. 

☮ ♥ & THREAD LA

The Holiday Season is officially here, which means plenty of presents to purchase. Without a doubt, my favorite gifts to give are ones that I know the person will really love. That seems simple, but the task of finding the perfect present for everyone on my list does not always come at the perfect price and hardly ever found all in one place. This is what I believed until I discovered THREAD. Talk about ultra unique, one-of-a-kind and creatively chic designs, clothing and crafts under one roof...um, pinch me! From a DIY Booth to hourly give-a-ways, live artists and DJ beats, this localized shopping show is anything but ordinary and is headed to Los Angeles this Sunday. Taking over the Cooper Design Space at 860 South Los Angeles Street, check out deets and RSVP for $5 here. If anyone wants to know what my Holiday Shopping secret weapon is? Tell them I said THREAD. 

Check out some of these snap shots from THREAD Show Los Angeles, taken by photog genius Raffi Keklikian. For more of his innovative amazing-ness, stop by his site or add him on Facebook. 

Blogs on the Brain II

When I started blogging, I never thought it would be anything other than a digital compilation of words, pictures, and inspirations. Since I started in 2009, my blog has managed to become much more than a series of posts about fashion and food, but rather manifested into a medium that has opened up doors that I never thought could be possible. There is an entire culture of writers, foodies and fashion folks in the blogosphere that are making major waves in the digital universe and beyond. When I get questions about why I blog, I have yet to refine the best possible answer. I attempted to do this, but as you can read...my true thoughts are still under construction. 

However, I know that my blog is something that allows me to define and refine my personal taste and fashion sense. I think of my blog as a space where I can let myself to express, create and thrive by connecting with others who are doing the same. Right now, here are a few blogs I've got on the brain.

CLOSET RICH | Vintage & Pre-loved Fashion Finds

Major props for concept coolness, the Closet Rich blog is an extension of Closet Rich. An online store where curator Elizabeth Knott hand-picks designer and vintage finds which her site allows for viewers to buy or sell closet to closet. 

A Cup of Jo | Magazine Writer & Blogger in NY

Joanna fills her blog with tid-bits on everything eye-candy: travel destinations, design inspirations, movie reviews, delicious treats, and the future of fashion. Not to mention she has perfected finding links that just about anyone will love which she includes in her posts. How cool is this?

Lookbook Cookbook | Vegan Food & Fashion 

Food porn at its finest and I'm not kidding. What is better than food and fashion? When they are fused together to create a seamless collection of photographs giving a whole new meaning to tempting treats. Strawberry Coconut Ice Pop anyone?

Honestly...WTF | DIY & Everything Fashion

Seriously, one of my favorite blogs about art and fashion trends, tips and not to mention some of the most creative DIY tricks. Created by designer and stylist duo Erica Chan Coffman and Lauren Kolodny, get your daily dose of all things tastefully fashionable and artfully original. This velvet bow was all DIY. Honesty...amazing. 

LACE REPLACE

It must be something about the transition from October to November that makes me fall into the loveliness of lace. I find myself craving the soft and dainty look of lace with every outfit. One of my favorite go-to sites for ways to replace-using- lace inspiring ensembles is Boston based Lace Affair. (I totally have that red velvet cake dress on my radar!) My color pallet has undergone a shift as well--my September bolds and October brights have become neutrals and baby blues and creamy pastels contrasting with fire engine red. Hello November, I'm ready for you.