Great Day at the Market

Yesterday's market was a big success! It turned out to be a gorgeous day (finally!) with lots of folks out shopping and enjoying the beautiful weather. I really enjoyed meeting so many new people (including folks from Texas, Champaign and St. Charles, IL. and Arizona!), new vendors, seeing community friends, and getting your feedback on my designs. It is great to hear that so many of you appreciate the 100% Recycled Sterling Silver Wire that I'm using to make the majority of my rings and earrings with, as well as the Fair Trade supply Pearls that are featured in several, current earring and bracelet designs.

It was also great fun to hear so many cool ideas for custom pieces--keep these coming, and together we can make your creative ideas a reality! As I talked with many of you yesterday, if I don't have a particular size or stone in stock, I will do my absolute best to get more in, or to find an alternative for your designs.

On that note, I just wanted to add that, for the time being, I am officially sold out of all of my Opal Rings!!! It is so cool that so many of you have responded to them; they really are a gorgeous and unique stone! I will let you know as soon as I have more Opals in stock, and hope to bring more Opal Rings to my next trip to the market, which will be Saturday, July 24th.

Thanks again for your support and well wishes, and I will be posting pictures of yesterday's market in the next few days, so check back soon!

Tomorrow: Downtown Downers Grove Farmer's Market!

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 26th, we head to the Downtown Downer's Grove Farmer's Market from 7am - 12:30pm. I will have some new designs, and, will also have more information about how you can order custom designs! We love seeing our Pierce Downer community friends and neighbors, so stop by, say hi, and find that perfect piece of jewelry for yourself or someone you care about!

In addition to all of the wonderful vendors that will be at tomorrow's market, there will also be live YMCA fitness classes (participation welcome) and a Youth Artist Program. Hope to see you there!

First Farmer's Market Update

Yesterday's debut Farmer's Market went really well, despite the pouring rain and gusting wind that hit around 10:30 am!!! It was great to see so many friends, to meet so many cool people, and to get your feedback on my designs. Overall, it was really inspiring to be surrounded by other Indie craftspeople, artists and small businesses, and to get to talk with people who go out of their way to shop and support this group of folks.



And, a big Thank You to all of you who emailed and sent well wishes and congratulations on this new venture; I really appreciate your support!

Next Downtown Downers Grove Market: Saturday, June 26th!

Prepping for Market

My first Farmer's Market is this Saturday at the Downtown Downers Grove Market from 7am-12:30pm. I'm busy getting ready for this event, and looking forward to a fun time!

Downtown Downers Grove Market
7AM - 12:30PM
Main St. Train Station, 5001 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515
Come out this Saturday and visit this fun market! There are always plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers available from local farmers, as well as local, talented crafts people, artists and chefs. Rain or shine, the market is on! So, if you're in the area, stop by and say hi! FREE admission.

Up-Cycle!

The other day, I arrived home from work to find a lovely surprise...a family friend had stopped by and dropped off two necklaces that she no longer wears. The beads/stones are really pretty, so she thought that I might be able to use them to make something new.



Giving new life to beads, stones, and other supplies is really inspiring...I can't wait to see what new designs emerge. So, here's to up-cycling, and to thoughtful friends!

Custom Ring Order Finished!

Recently I finished making a beautiful Blue Opal Stone wrapped in 100% Recycled Argentium Sterling Silver Wire for my client, Bethany. She is a creative DIY Bride-To-Be who is getting married this summer, and is also finishing up her Master's Degree in Education! The custom ring, pictured below, was made for Bethany's friend and colleague as a special "Thank You" gift.









Bethany has also hired me to make 10 other custom jewelry pieces for each of her bride maids as a very meaningful and personal "Thank You" gift. Each custom piece will be designed and made with the individual's personality and style in mind, starting from a thoughtful description that the Bride-To-Be has written about each woman in her wedding party. I'm looking forward to making these custom pieces!

To Market I Go

I found out that I've been accepted as a vendor at this summer's Downtown Downers Grove Market. This is a fun, outdoor market with a variety of vendors including fresh flowers, produce from local farmer's, crafts, food, music, and, of course, jewelry! This will be my first time selling at the market, however, as a shopper, I've really enjoyed shopping at this market. And, in general, I'm a huge fan of Farmer's Markets--love em', love em', love em'! Dates forthcoming...

Custom Orders

Would you like a custom made ring or pair of earrings from KOGJ? A custom piece is the perfect gift for yourself, or for someone you care about. Whether you are attending a special occasion, looking for a meaningful gift for your friends or family, or just looking for that perfect piece of jewelry for your everyday, let's work together to make your idea a reality.

I also specialize in custom designing and hand making wire wrapped rings for your Bridesmaid's gifts...thank your friends for being a part of your special day by giving them jewelry that they will love to wear! I ask the Bride-to-Be to write up a small description of her wedding party attendants, telling me a bit about each person's personality, style, and a color that comes to mind when she thinks of each friend. Based on these descriptions, I hand pick semi-precious stones, quartz or glass, along with wire, and design and custom make each ring. The final gift comes ready to give in a Recycled jewelry box wrapped with Raffia String, and also includes a small write up describing the stone's properties and materials used. It is truly a unique and thoughtful gift!

For all Custom Designs, write me at kateogradyjewelry (at) gmail (dot) com and describe the project you have in mind, letting me know about any deadlines, the number of pieces needed, a color scheme, and your budget. Based off of this information, I will contact you via email with a design idea and quote.

I look forward to our collaboration!

Events

Past Events:

Featured Visting Artist Trunk Show
@ Kasie's Beads
Saturday, December 18th, 2010
116 S. Webster Street
Naperville, IL. 60540
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Downtown Downers Grove Market
Saturday, October 16th, 2010
Main St. Train Station, 5001 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515
7am - 12:30 pm

Handmade Market Chicago
Saturday, October 9, 2010
@ The Empty Bottle
1035 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60622 (street parking)
noon to 4:00 pm
21+ and parents with kids

Downtown Downers Grove Market
Saturday, August 28th, 2010
Main St. Train Station, 5001 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515
7am - 12:30 pm

Downtown Downers Grove Market
Saturday, June 26th, 2010
Main St. Train Station, 5001 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515
7am - 12:30 pm

Downtown Downers Grove Market
Saturday, June 12th, 2010
Main St. Train Station, 5001 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515
7am - 12:30 pm

Gallery

One-Of-A-Kind Green Glass Swing Earrings. A Re-Purposed Glass Bead sits in the center with new Green Grade A Cat's Eye Beads on both sides, Hand Wire Wrapped onto Silver Plated Artistic Wire and attached to Hand Made and Hammered 100% Recycled Argentium Sterling Silver Ear Hooks.

Limited Edition Handcrafted Mixed Material Earrings. Re-purposed Pink Smoky Glass beads and Beautiful Czech Double Overlay Brown-Grey Glass Discs balance in perfect harmony. Both are Wire Wrapped with Gold Plated Artistic Wire and attached with gold filled jump rings.

One-Of-A-Kind Hand Wire Wrapped Blue Chalcedony Earrings attached onto Gold Filled Jump Rings and doubled up Gold Filled Chain, all dangling beautifully from Gold Plated French Ear Wires.

December 2010 Visiting Artist Trunk Show at Kasie's Beads, Naperville, IL



Donated Handmade Mixed Metal Opal Earrings and Carnelian Ring set for the Indian Boundary YMCA's November 2010 Fundraising Event, "Celebration at the Y!" Gala Silent Auction


HandMade Market Chicago, October 2010





One-Of-A-Kind Wire Wrapped Re-Purposed Glass Swing Earrings. Sterling Silver Jump Rings are attached onto HandMade and Hammered 100% Recycled Argentium Ear Hooks




Handmade, Wire Wrapped, Custom Bridesmaid Rings, Summer 2010





Summer 2010 Earrings: Three different designs, from the Downtown Downer's Grove Market, featuring Fair Trade Pearls! (FYI-you can click on the photos to get a closer look)


Limited Edition Handmade Wire Wrapped Fair Trade Pearl Swing Earrings with Gold Filled Chain and Brass Jump Rings on Gold Plated French Ear Hooks





More Summer 2010 Earring Designs featuring a variety of beautiful Semi-Precious stones, Fair Trade Pearls, Gold Chain, Brass Jump Rings, and 100% Recycled Sterling Silver Wire


Summer 2010 Mix Necklace: Semi-Precious stones including Coral, Blue Lapis Chips, Peridot Squares, Grade A Cat's Eye Beads, Sterling Silver Spacers, Mixed Ceramic and Glass Beads, and Bead for Life (TM) handmade, recycled paper beads; Sterling Silver Clasp, approximately 18 inches long


Rose Quartz Semi-Precious Stone Wire Wrapped with 100% Recycled Argentium Sterling Silver


Howlite Semi-Precious Stone (dyed Turquoise) with Grade A Cat's Eye Beads in Light Blue and White, Wire Wrapped with 100% Recycled Argentium Sterling Silver


One-Of-A-Kind Hand Wire Wrapped Spring Ring featuring a mix of new and re-purposed materials including Ceramic Beads, Grade A Cat's Eye Glass, Gold Filled Crimp Beads, and Glass Seed Beads, 2009-2010 Design.




Cat's Eye with River Shell Earrings: Dark Brown Grade A Cat's Eye beads, White River Shells, Blue Grade A Cat's Eye beads, and Brass Jump Rings; Wire Wrapped onto Craft Wire and attached to Gold Chain dangling from French style Gold Filled Ear Wires.


Cherry Bomb Earrings: Howlite Semi-Precious Stones (dyed Red) Wire Wrapped with Craft Wire and attached onto Gold Chain dangling from Gold Filled Ear Wires


More images to come, so check back soon!

About

Welcome to Kate O'Grady Jewelry. I design, handmake and craft modern, sophisticated, and fun jewelry creating one-of-a-kind, limited edition, and custom designs. I work with a variety of beautiful wire, semi-precious stones, quartz, glass, and beads, and I often create pieces that mix new materials with elements of repurposed, recycled, or fair trade supplies. I strive to let the beauty and personality of the materials come through in order to inspire each design, and, in the case of custom orders, the personality of the wearer as well. Each piece really is unique, and can never exactly be reproduced. This is what is so special about wearing handmade jewelry.

I hope the good thoughts and intentions that I put into making each piece come through to you when you my jewelry. So, here's to you finding your perfect piece of jewelry...the one that when you see it, you feel that it was made just for you, or for someone you care about. Contact me at kateogradyjewelry (at) gmail (dot) com

Fan me at http://www.facebook.com/KateOGradyJewelry