Guest Author - Susan Dorling

In this ongoing series of articles throughout the summer, I will be sharing with you some of the fresh and fabulous summer collections from the hottest designers. Discover LK Designs by Leetal Kalmanson and Rapt Elegance by Sue Lindsey!

LK Designs by Leetal Kalmanson

Leetal Kalmanson, founder and designer for LK Designs, is one of the hottest new jewelry designers around. Leetal has always been inspired by fashion and design and studied graphic design at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, initially pursuing a career as a web designer and eventually graphic arts and web design instructor. After a couple of years she realized that designing fashion jewelry would be the most fulfilling way to combine her love of both design and fashion.

Since launching her jewelry design business from her home studio, LK Designs has become one of the fastest growing names in fashion jewelry. Handmade of the finest quality materials, LK Jewelry combines unique Bohemian (European) crystals, Swarovski components, top quality leather, and other specially designed elements to create lively and exciting jewelry with uncommon pizzazz.

Available in leading boutiques and department stores around the world, LK Designs is known for its chic cutting edge designs, rich and dramatic color combinations, and revolutionary innovations like Glamour Bracelets and Jewelry Belts.

LK Summer Collection

Vintage Pearls is ultra chic and romantic and includes a white pearl with white leather necklace, pearl and crystal necklace, and matching crystal and pearl bracelets.

Fantasy is dramatic and bold with its elaborate pearl and crystal necklace, large crystal earrings, and a selection of stunning bejeweled belts.

Perfect Ocean features perfect blue crystals with pearls and leather in a selection of necklaces, earrings, and belts.

See LK Designs Summer and Winter Collections at LK Designs

Rapt Elegance – One-of-a-Kind Wire Wrapped Jewelry by Sue Lindsey

The art of creating wire wrapped jewelry began at least 4000 years. In fact, wire wrapped jewelry has been found in the ruins of the Ancient Phoenicians and the tombs of the early Egyptians.

Aptly named, Rapt Elegance features the unique one-of-a-kind wire-wrapped and wire sculpture creations of Sue Lindsey. One of the jewelry designers featured in Designer Jewelry Showcase 2007, Sue’s beautiful wearable works of art are characterized by a flowing sensuous elegance-each natural stone, pearl, faceted gemstone, cubic zirconia, and dichroic glass cabochon expertly wrapped with Sterling Silver, Argentium Silver (non-tarnish), 14k solid rolled gold, or rose (red) gold wire. Richly colored gemstone favorites like African Amethyst, Leopardskin Jasper, Lemon Citrine, Moonstone, Rhodonite, Solodite, Agate, and Druzy Quartz and more are represented in the collection as well as high quality laboratory created gemstones and cubic zirconias-all magically transformed into jeweled sculptures.

Rapt Elegance features fashionable pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets, brooches, precious metal wire neck rings, and pendants and cuff links for men. Each piece is lovingly titled and described in detail by the artist. For example, here are two treasures from the large selection available at Rapt Elegance:

Viva la tiger eye This pendant features a lovely, horizontally striped six sided tiger eye. The stone is complimented by curly ribbons of 14k gold filled wire The pendant measures 2 3/4" long and is 1 1/4" wide. Comes with a 14k gold filled snake chain.

Eagle in Flight If you look carefully at this lovely piece of agate, you will see an eagle in flight with wings extended upward. The stone is wrapped in tarnish resistant Argentium sterling silver wire The pendant measures 4 1/8" long and is 1 5/8" wide Comes with a sterling silver snake chain.

See the whole collection at Rapt Elegance