What's in a name?

In September of 2008 I went to a retreat where I spent 5 days in silence.  (Yeah, I'm into fun stuff like that!)  I figured something really interesting would come out of the experience- but it wasn't until months later that I was see the full effects.   About 3 days into the experience I felt very strongly that I needed to finish remodeling my dining room (a little backstory- in February of 2008 my fiance and I gutted the room and redid everything but when it came time to furnish it my fiance suddenly lost interest, so it sat completely empty for 7 months).  So I  made a little note to get it done and when I came back from the retreat I created an beautiful plan for the dining room, told my fiance to be prepared to pick up furniture, and finished the dining room in October.  Less than a month later, I was sitting in my first jewelry class, and the rest, as they say, is history!  While I told myself I was going to take it slow, (I never do, by the way!) I was hooked right away and began my jewelry business in November of 2008.   (Ah, I didn't really make a clear connection here- I make all of my jewelry in my dining room!)  In those 5 days I learned how to shut down the chatter of my mind and connect to my creative, driving force.  I also learned the importance of following through on the little thoughts I have telling me to do (or not do) something.

What is my jewelry based on?  What does my jewelry say to the world?  It's about following instincts.  Trusting one's intuition.  Being who you are with reckless abandon.  And of course, looking amazing!  The visual aesthetic should never be underestimated. ;-)  I named my business DiVanity Designs because my jewelry is the marriage of the Divine and Vanity. It is glamour, confidence, and trusting oneself, all expressed through a visual aesthetic.

I'm a gemstone lover so of course they are in almost all of my designs, but I love big chain and heavy metal.   Sometimes I'm a little bohemian, and sometimes I'm a rocker chic, and that is evident in my designs.  I have a hard time sticking to a theme, both in jewelry and in life! 

I always follow my instincts when making jewelry and that infuses my work with passion and love.  That's DiVanity!

(The earrings featured above are entitled "Vampires at a Black Tie Affair", by the way.  The silver shimmer of moonstone and blood red garnet make me think of vampires, all dressed up and being glamorous!)