Browsing Tag

Jewelry

Design

Comments of the Week

December 2, 2011

With the gift-giving season booming, UncommonGoods has been bustling! We’re answering customer questions, helping people find great gifts, and taking, packing, and shipping orders. But don’t worry, through all of the holiday shopping fun, we haven’t forgotten to find great new products for our community voting app. We’re happy to see that our community is able to take a break from baking Christmas cookies and writing letters to Santa to share votes and comments with us!

Some of our favorite feedback this week comes from commenters who’ll zip it when it comes to headphones, want to leave a lasting impression, and are excited about open discussion.

Many commenters love the fun design of the i-Slide Zipper Headphones, but Maggie pointed out that they’re also practical.



Good point, Maggie! We agree that the tangle-free aspect is a definite bonus.

Another fashion accessory in the lineup this week isn’t quite as bold as the bright orange headphones. Inner Message Rings make their mark subtlety. The raised letters and symbols on the inside of each ring actually leave imprints in your skin.

ER questioned whether the ring would be a good fit, but Stephanie and Ranel are convinced that this design could be a comfy, everyday piece.

Ranel’s favorite product this week isn’t the only fun modern design getting buzz. The Modern Bottle Opener is getting noticed for it’s unusual size and shape.

Do you agree with Laura that this modern design could get the conversation flowing? Are you like Roberta and have a bartender friend in mind? We’d love to hear your feedback on this, and all of the great uncommon designs up for voting this week!

Gift Guides

How to find a gift for your best friend

November 23, 2011

When Twitter Giveaway Winner Jodie Evans received her $500 gift certificate, she knew just what to get her best friend. And that’s how best friends are. When you know someone so closely, it’s easy to find that perfect gift.

So rather than let me tell you what you should get your best friend, let me call out 8 of our favorite gifts that symbolize what a great friendship is all about.

face Mug— for the friend you can talk to anytime

birth month flower necklaces— for the friend who doesn’t need Facebook to remember your birthday

7 deadly sins glasses— for the friend who forgives you all your flaws and shortcomings

attitude vase– and the friend who doesn’t let you get away

corkcicle– for the friend who’s always ready to celebrate

level necklace– for the friend who keeps you level headed

fortune keeper chain– for the friend who shares your dreams

sari scarf– for the friend who lets your true colors fly

What makes your best friend the greatest?

P.S. I know you’re probably crushed you missed our Twitter Giveaway, but you can still tweet at us or leave a comment below for personal shopping recommendations. We’re happy to help!

Gift Guides

Holiday Gifts Your Teen Will Love

November 22, 2011

The holiday season is is in full swing, and we’re pouring through our assortment selecting great gifts for everyone on your shopping list! Many of our picks are inspired by our Twitter contest winner, Jodie. She won a $500 UncommonGoods shopping spree earlier this year, and we’ve had a ton of fun helping her choose the perfect gifts for her favorite people.

After creating guides for babies and kids based on Jodies’ nephews, age 8 months to 6 years, we realized that although Jodie doesn’t have a teen on her shopping list, many parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents (to name just a few) do. With this in mind, we picked a few of our favorite gifts for teens.

Remote Control SUV Kit- It may not be time to hand over the keys to a new car, but you can hand over this cool kit. The Remote Control SUV kit starts out as a puzzle and snaps together to become a motorized vehicle.

Bike Bells- A great stocking stuffer, these hand-painted bike bells are functional, funny, and stylish.

Guitar String Bracelets- Whether the teen in your life is a musician, music-lover, or just likes to look good, these unisex accessories are chart toppers.

Sneaker Customization Kit- Designer shoes are expensive, but this kit, which includes sneaker wipes, paints, and a high-quality paint brush, makes it easy for your favorite teen to create their own.

Dancing Lion Speaker- Plug an iPod or another music device up to this lively lion and he dances and sings along. Check out our video to see the King of the Jungle boogy.

Recycled Cotton Animal Mittens- Trendy, but still uncommon, these cozy, cute mittens are made from yarn spun from leftover fabric from upholstery factories that would have otherwise been discarded. They’re also available in mink and skunk.

Black Cat Headphones- More comfortable than earbuds, these hand-crocheted headphones have a vintage feel that still appeals to modern teens.

Big Grips iPad Case- Available in blue or green, these grippy foam covers make your teen’s favorite electronic sidekick easier to hold on to.

From fashionable accessories and beautiful jewelry to techie gadgets and fun games, we’ve got all kinds of great gifts for teens. Stay tuned for more gift guides to find perfect presents for everyone in your life this season!

Need a gift recommendation for a hard-to-shop for teen? Leave a comment below.

Design

Comments of the Week

September 10, 2011

Each week we share a few of our favorite comments from our community voting app here on our blog. This week’s comment selection is special, since our app is chalk-full of great jewelry designs from our Uncommon Jewelry Design Challenge!

Here’s what our voters are saying so far!

Glad you love Denise Harrison’s Beer Speak Jewelry, Sarah! I know what you mean. I could go for a refreshing summer ale right about now.

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Design

Certainly Silver

August 30, 2011



Elana said: “This necklace is just what I’ve been looking for. Silver, yes. Quirky yet meaningful? Yes. Not cutesy? YES.”

If you’re certain you love Mary Steratore Reiss’ sterling silver and semi-precious gemstone Dealing With Uncertainty Necklace design, visit our community voting app and speak your mind!

If this saying isn’t quite right for you, maybe one of Mary’s other designs would be a perfect fit? Also up for voting this week: Luck is Believing You’re Lucky, Quiet Courage, and Reach for the Moon.

Design

Meet the Judges!

August 11, 2011

Last week we opened our Uncommon Jewelry Design Challenge and are thrilled with the submissions we’ve received so far.  We’ll share the designs we like on the community voting app at the end of the month, then our panel of judges will pick the winner, who will receive $500 and the chance to join our lineup of unique jewelry.

Artist Kiel Mead knows good design when he sees it.  Kiel finds inspiration for his jewelry from common objects, then crafts them into unique, one-of-a-kind pieces such as the Forget Me Not Ring.  His work has been featured in a variety of publications, including Lucky Mag, ELLE, and New York Magazine.  In addition to designing jewelry and furniture from his studio in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, he supports emerging and established designers as a founding member of the American Design Club.

If you’ve ever bought any of our jewelry or accessories, you can thank UncommonGoods buyer Erin Fergusson for her great taste in daring pieces, including some that can’t be found anywhere else.  Erin loves bright colors and funky patterns, and is especially a fan of handmade jewelry and keepsake designs.

Style and beauty expert Jenn Falik is nationally known and trusted for her style advice, and is passionate about sharing her great finds.  Jenn has appeared on The View, The Today Show, The Rachael Ray Show, E! News and Tyra Banks, and is a regular presence on New York City’s own local media  such as NY1 and Fox5.

Think you’ve got an uncommonly awesome jewelry design that Kiel, Erin, and Jenn would love?  Send it our way by midnight on August 31 for a chance to show off your own creativity and talent!

Maker Stories

Sterling Silver Birds of a Feather

July 23, 2011

Next month, we’re hosting an Uncommon Jewelry Challenge, with an open call for jewelry from designers across the US. This month we’re highlighting our favorite jewelry makers. Find out more about our design challenges and learn how you can become UncommonGoods’ next favorite jewelry or accessory designer.

Artist Rhonda Wyman has always had a “do it yourself” attitude when it comes to jewelry design. The same year she graduated from Rhode Island School of Design, she married her husband, Elijah (who she calls an indie-folk singer-songwriting superhero) and they started selling Rhonda’s pieces through the independent craft scene. Although the popularity of Rhonda’s work continues to grow over the years– her Nestling Bird Necklaces being some of UncommonGoods best selling jewelry items– she still makes each piece by hand and is always finding inspiration for bold new designs.


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