This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Baubles and Bling

This week: we shop for jewelry.

“Style Log” wants to help you. That's what we're here for! In this column, Justine Pojanowski of "" fame, shops for fashion pieces and then pontificates on how wonderful and stylish they are. 

***

We're starting with jewelry. Actually, I rarely wear a lot of jewelry, but I’m trying to change that. It’s a motivation thing, like taking vitamins in the morning or getting up and brushing your teeth when you’re already in bed. So now when I wake up, or when I am getting ready to go out at night, I’m going to buck up and dress up. With bling. You should too. Especially since it’s about to get warmer, and you’ll need to find something else to wear on your ears, neck and hands.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

225 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

One might not expect to find delicate and lovely jewelry in a shop that also houses vintage motorcycles, but brace yourself: Smith and Butler has some of the sweetest and most unique jewelry for women around. The pieces at Smith and Butler tend to be quite figurative -- tiny twigs, brushed feathers, arrows striking hearts at your chest. Most are silver -- some are whimsical, some a little harder (for instance a necklace from which dangles the barrel of a revolver, with one single golden bullet resting inside) -- all sharing a common refined artistry and unique imagery. These pieces can be worn everyday, they're subtle yet remarkable.

A jewelry line of note: Yayoi Forest, designed by Yayoi Inada, who uses her memories of growing up near a small forest in Japan as inspiration for her art (she currently works out of a Brooklyn studio). There is both an organic naturalness as well as a magical fairy tale essence to her jewelry, which give her pieces an almost “lucky charm” quality.

243 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY

The affordability of Lucia, which sells womenswear, purses and jewelry, is what's most amazing about this shop. The style at Lucia is feminine and flirty, and yet you can find quite bold garments and accessories as well. I found some beautiful jewelry here, with price tags that made me nod approvingly with eyebrows raised. My favorites were two chandelier earrings and an oversized chain bracelet. Both pairs of earrings (one silver and the other comprised of gold coins) have a bohemian vibe to them, the latter bordering on downright gypsy. They have a musty feminism to them, and would look quite sexy dangling from your ears on a steamy summer night.

The bracelet I adore at Lucia is made up of of tens of silver and oxidized silver chains that move exquisitely on your wrist. The contrast between the two sheens is lovely. It’s a statement piece, but it’s also very sophisticated. I could see this bracelet worn with a classic dress or sharp suit. But I could also see it worn very rock and roll, with a short dress and big boots.

The best thing about these three pieces of jewelry at Lucia – the earrings are each only $35 and the bracelet is a mere $40.

198 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY

Dear Fieldbinder has charming and simple jewelry that can, much like some of the items at Smith and Butler, be worn everyday as almost signature pieces. Here I was introduced to the craftsmanship of Jenny Sheriff, who makes fine and dainty jewelry box staples that invoke nostalgia and youthful simplicity. I found these fantastic chain bracelets, some with hearts and some with triangles, linked delicately within, in sterling silver, oxidized sterling silver and gold fill. They remind me of the bracelets girls wore in my elementary school in the 1980s, and bring to mind the same sentiment as the divided-heart “best friends” necklaces we all shared with one other special girl.

I also love her safety pin earrings, which come in either sterling silver or gold fill. These actually make me nostalgic not for my childhood and best girlfriends, but for one of my first boyfriends, who had pierced both of his nipples himself with safety pins. Juuuuust kidding, I’m not nostalgic for him at all, though he would’ve loved these.

194 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

I have to admit, I am stunned by how beautiful the jewelry at Barneys CoOp is. Oftentimes I find the general merchandise they carry bland, but not so when it comes to jewelry. I truly look into the case with mouth agape. And because its Co-Op, the price tags aren't outrageous. Two designers that blew me away: Fallon and Iosselliani.

Fallon is the new lower priced collection of Fenton, by Dana Lorenz. Based in New York, these pieces are like art  -- a little deco, a little seedy rock-and-roll, a little Metropolis. You will find a lot of gold spikes, braided chains, chunky jewels and snake-y asymmetry. Check out the Labyrinth Maze Cuff ($350), the Leather Bib Necklace ($295) or Future Compass XL Hoop Earrings ($250). 

Iosselliani, from Rome, features chain fringes, tiny silver skulls nestled in gemstones and feathered metalwork that is reminiscent of Native American headdresses. The tri-color shaded fringe chain tassel earrings ($235) made me mist up the case, I spent so long gazing at them with my nose pressed against the glass. Part American Indian, part undulating see creature, these earrings are glorious. 

(Pictures were not made available by press time. Stop by the shop!)

Casbah

 74 Nevins Street, Brooklyn, NY

Casbah is unique and unlike any of the other shops i've discussed here. Owner Ahmed Lamrini handcrafts silver and brass earrings, bracelets and necklaces on site, displaying the finished products in cases and on walls throughout the shop. Large brass earrings are sold for just $7 a pair; a gorgeous cuff bracelet inlaid with mother-of-pearl will cost you $33. Each is made individually by Lamrini. I even found a stunning upper arm wrap ($29) that is incredibly exotic and sexy, if you have the guts for it. The authenticity of his artistry and craft is a wonderful thing to support when shopping for your next piece of jewelry, and at these prices it’s not too difficult a task.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill