If you’ve been keeping up with us this week, you already know what we’ve been up to at Bellaga HQ. If not, then pull up a seat!
We’ve endured many sleepless nights to bring you a new and improved Bellaga, but this time with a different focus. That’s right! We’ve decided to take a different direction and focus solely on jewelry. The premise is still the same, we continue to bring you the best from independent designers, but this time from jewelry makers.
We invite you to get acquainted with the lovely jewelry designers who have decided to take the plunge and join Bellaga. In no particular order, we introduce to you:
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| Kristin Coffin | kiley b durham |
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| Michelle Chang | Mia Lara Jewelry |
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| ZOETWITT | BeaKina |
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| Juliana Ker | |
We’re so excited to have these new designers on board as they each bring their own unique style and enthusiasm for creating jewelry. Stay tuned to our blog, as we will be introducing each designer individually. In addition to great local designers, we have now opened our doors to international sellers. So if you are or know a great international jewelry designer send them our way!
After looking through our designers’ shops we know you will be dying to start adding to your cart. So, we’ve gone ahead and made the checkout process a little easier for you. We said goodbye to Amazon payment service and are now offering our customers the ability to pay with all major credit cards.
A personal favorite new feature added is the ability to complete a single checkout, even when buying from different designer’s shops. How great is that? No more multiple check outs, which can be an arduous task, especially around the holidays when purchasing gifts.
Take a look around and come back as often as possible. You won’t regret it!
Meet the Designer: Michelle Chang
Michelle Chang is a native New Yorker, only having left New York for…well, all over the world. We have come up with some fun questions which Michelle has so graciously answered for us. Enjoy!
Where did you move to for many years?
I have lived in more than a few places in my life. I lived in Seoul till my family moved here when I was 7. Since then, I’ve lived in Lille, France, Copenhagen, Denmark, back in Seoul, Tokyo, Japan, and San Francisco.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
Everywhere….paintings, metal work, like street lamp posts, hardware, metal grails, natural forms, geometric shapes.
Any particular materials you are most fond of working with?
I work with sterling silver and gold, both of which I love.
What does your typical work day look like?
I get up in the morning and after I walk my dog Murphy, I spend a few hours with coffee answering emails and doing paperwork. Then I get down to working on my orders at my jeweler’s bench for the rest of the day. About four times a week, I take a break and run to the gym to play squash or tennis. I also run into the jewelry district in Manhattan about 1-2 times a week to do my jewelry errands.
Any advise to aspiring jewelry designers?
You should love what you make. Don’t give up and believe in what you’re creating. Be patient, tenacious, and be prepared to work long hours, especially when you’re starting out.
What is your favorite piece of jewelry from your own collection?
That’s a hard one…but I will have to say its a draw between the Open Mouth Snake Ring with Sapphire and the Skull Band ring with Diamonds.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Tinkers, by Paul Harding. I believe it’s his first and it won the Pulitzer.
What was the last movie you saw?
I just saw 127 Days. It was an extremely entertaining film, as Danny Doyle’s films almost always are, ..but I had to cover my eyes during the scene where he cuts off is own arm.
Where is your favorite place to eat?
Again, another hard question as I love to eat! One of my faves is Lunetta, right around the corner from where I live in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.
Where is your No. 1 vacation spot?
Its always the one that I’ve yet to visit..But anywhere In South East Asia. I dive and I love diving in that part of the world.
Thanks for the interview Michelle! You can find more great pieces from Michelle Chang Jewelry right here at Bellaga!