Treasured Goods: Digby & Iona

As a result of repeated childhood viewings of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Goonies, the concept of jewelry has always been inextricably linked with that of treasure. And while it's not fair, when viewing new work we'd be lying if we said that in the back of our collective mind we weren't - at least subconsciously - looking for items that fulfill this criteria. We don't just want 'pretty', we want something special; a prize that rekindles all those feelings of romance and excitement that are the hallmarks of any great treasure hunt.

In a heady mix of inspiration that includes but is not limited to history, literature, nature, and his own childhood fantasies of exploration, Aaron Ruff's Digby & Iona jewelry is a beautiful embodiment of the romance and adventure wrapped up in the deceptively simple word 'treasure'.

Lovers of 20,000 Leagues under the sea will be suckers for the incredible octopus ring, and for the Louis L'Amour fans among you (we know you're out there) we have the Law in Six Parts locket; a brass and oxidized silver book that opens to reveal a removable revolver. And to sweeten the pot - if the pot was in need of sweetening - his collection is not just for the ladies; it also boasts pieces for men such as the incredible oxidized silver stump ring with contrasting brass tree rings - the perfect piece for that very special pirate in your life, be he a One-Eyed Willie or a Bluebeard.

We've updated most of the available pieces in our webshop, and all pieces are available for viewing and purchase at our shop on the Leliegracht. See you soon!

Classic Style: Billykirk

Why does it seem that travel has lost all the glamour of the old days? Sure, maybe by 'the old days' I mean 'in old movies', but still. One night while watching an old classic on television (ok, it was Some Like it Hot with Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis - amazing) I realized as I watched them boarding the train that everyone had these amazing bags and fantastic luggage!

It's no wonder that getting on the train nowadays feels so gauche, as we walk around with our interchangeable nylon backpacks and duffel bags that are really more suited to carrying smelly gym shoes than nice clothing for a weekend in Paris. (I can't even put into writing how I feel upon realizing that the person across the aisle is in their pajamas and slippers and has the pillow from their bed tucked under their arm like a favorite teddy bear. Really? Have a little pride, man.)

While we can't convince Thalys to implement a dress code or even train the stewards to mix us a real drink, we can lose the banal backpacks and dreary duffels - and the new bags from Billykirk are just the thing to replace them. New fabrics for Spring & Summer include an olive herringbone twill combined ivy leather and a railroad stripe canvas paired slate leather, all made using the time-honored traditions and high quality materials that we've come to expect from Billykirk. I have my eyes on the olive weekender, leaving me with only one question; am I going over the top if I buy the wallet to match? Available online in our webshop and also in our brick & mortar shop on the Leliegracht.

Superior Finery: Henderson Dry Goods

For those of you who have visited our brick and mortar shop, it should come as no surprise that we love combining the old with the new; nothing sets off a beautiful piece of handmade porcelain like an old industrial table, and what better way to store or display jewelry than old archive drawers lined with velvet? You can also see this juxtaposition of old and new in the work of many of our vendors; from the exquisite specimen sculptures of InsectLab to the timeless design and craftsmanship that is so apparent in the accessories from Billykirk.

We're extremely excited to introduce a new addition to our collection; the beautiful wooden & silver jewelry of Henderson Dry Goods.

Combining classic Victorian aesthetics with modern production methods, Alex Henderson carefully crafts each piece in her small backyard studio. Working almost exclusively with walnut and sterling silver, the delicacy of each piece belies the inherent strength of the wood, combining to create a unique and durable piece of jewelry to treasure without worry.

While we love all the pieces in this collection, if someone were to force us to choose a favorite, we would have to admit that we're madly in love with the portrait pendants. Likenesses of memorable figures from the past are further immortalized in an etched walnut relief and then backed with oxidized sterling silver... and while we hesitate to say they make great conversation pieces, it's only because when it comes to our jewelry, we prefer compliments to convos. You can see our collection in the webshop or come by our shop on the Leliegracht to see them in person.