I find this video so inspring and energizing. Enjoy!

To Do List from Yaniv Fridman on Vimeo.

It's great working with clients who help me take designs to the next level. Notice any familiar shapes? Now she's prepared to flirt with danger wearing my new spear bracelet!

You wouldn't necessarily think of Craigslist as the origin of long-lasting friendship. But sometimes when you put yourself out there into the digital ether, someone great is on the other end. I, for one, couldn't have been luckier to have met Christine.

When I learned rather abruptly that my first roommate in San Francisco was ending his lease, I braced myself for another round of apartment hunting on a super tight time frame.  I took to craigslist and created a posting that laid it all out on the table. I had few belongings, couldn't afford much, and I had 2 cats. It was December, and room listings were slim pickings. I knew it was going to be difficult to find  Even more of a longshot: I wanted space to resume creating jewelry. The Glen Park abode was simple and cozy, but didn't lend itself to the noise and dirt produced when fabricating. And studios in San Francisco… they aren't cheap. I'd rented entire one-bedroom apartments in Michigan for less.

I was so fortunate that on the other end of my search was Christine. She happened across my posting, and carefully crafted the first of many eloquent letters exchanged during our friendship. She too was an artist, with an MFA from California College of the Arts. She creates complex works involving drawing, painting, collage and sculpture. [Read more about her work and upcoming shows on her website] She had an apartment just off the panhandle of Golden Gate park, with a modest studio which I could share. She loved animals, and welcomed my cats with open arms. After a few meet and greets I moved in with Christine and her charming retriever Hank on New Years day 2010.

It seems fitting to be sharing Christine and Sam's love story with you all this New Years day, 2 years later.

Photo by Klea McKenna

Sam had met Christine while attending a wedding in Fairfax, CA in 2008. Both were in graduate school; Sam in Virginia and Christine in California. While a transcontinental relationship would have been challenging in its own right, Sam was leaving the following day for Marseille, France, where he’d spend the entire summer studying the housing designs of Le Corbusier and sending an occasional postcard to Christine in San Francisco.  She’d see a long unrecognizable phone number pop up on her cell, every once in a while during that summer, and pick it up to talk to Sam for hours as she carried on her daily business in the city.

Photo by Klea McKenna

Now that I've gone and made you all mushy over one of my favorite couples, I hope you'll be moved enough to help them win a Fiji Honeymoon courtesty of Brides.com! Voting is quick and super easy. You know they've earned it! 

My Spine Necklace got some love this week on Totus Mel's WunderKammer! 

This truly unique piece was created from my original wax carving, cast in sterling silver, and whitened to give it a matte bone look. Also available in bronze with a stippled finish.

Spotted this week on Parisian fashion blog Rien À Porter! Inspiration for those days when you have nothing to wear!

I'm so pleased to finally share the first of many top secret projects that have kept me busy these past few months. John was beginning his ring search for Carolina when a mutual friend brought us together. He was friendly and enthusiastic from the moment we met. John came to visit me during CAPSULE, where we talked about his thoughts and he got a feel for my work. We quickly began corresponding through email to hash out all the details. We learned that his design style is clean and sophisticated, and wanted a ring that reflected that. Together our goal was to find him the best quality we could that stayed true to his aesthetics.

John's dream ring consisted of a beautiful diamond that was also conflict free. We were fortunate to find him a stunning round hearts and arrows diamond with all the certificates. We then selected a sleek 4 prong mounting that fit the style and proportions John desired. The completed ring is timeless. A classic piece of jewelry with their own personal touch.

Now all that was left was for John to ask Carolina that very important question! The two set off on a vacation together this past October. Sailing through the Bahamas with friends left John no shortage of scenic places to choose from. With turquoise waters and remote beaches all around, every spot seemed quite beautiful, but John wanted to find a place that was perfect. He shared with me afterward the only tricky part in planning this dream proposal:

"There were of course, some logistical concerns with carrying a ring around on a sailboat for 10 days.  I became a little nervous because well, rings sink, and I found myself surrounded by ocean every day, so I bought a foam floating keychain and kept it chained around the ring at all times.  Finding a good spot to propose wasn't difficult because each day had beautiful scenery, but finding that "right" spot took a few days of scouting while carrying the ring in my the pocket of my swim trunks."

Finally the spot was selected, the moment came, and friends were waiting in the wings with cameras. Carolina and John were so kind to share the photos below with me, as the special moment unfolded.

Many thanks to the happy couple for including me in their love story.

The month of October came and went. Faster than I could blink, and even faster than my brain could really register. I traveled thousands of miles in the first few weeks. I returned to Northern Michigan to join my herd as we laid a family member to rest. The countryside seemed to explode around me with the most vibrant of autumn hues. It was a fitting reminder of the seasonal punctuation my life misses in San Francisco, where the mild climate never reminds me that today is different from yesterday, and months are slipping undetected between my fingers. 

I returned to San Francisco and left the same day, heading northward to the Redwood National Forest with Ryan and friends. It was peaceful and the landscape was breathtaking. We camped, hiked, wandered and explored. But mostly, I took time out to observe and absorb. 

The undercurrent these few weeks was a blatant reminder of time’s painful persistence. Whether marveling at ancient redwoods or catching glimpses of fleeting foliage, the adage of ‘not getting any younger’ was annoyingly on point. As of late it seems every job I undertake is time sensitive. The more I free myself to find breathing room, the more my calendar fills up. It is something I am learning to cherish instead of stress. My work is rewarding, and I feel this path aligning beneath me. I’m lucky to be where I am and should find beauty in every second of it.

Bring on November.

There's so much love in the air these past few weeks! When asked to create custom bridal, I can't help but feel so honored!

I'm happy to create custom wedding bands and engagement rings in a variety of metals, textures, and designs. For more info just contact me!

Another huge round of thank-you's goes out to everyone who made sure our first show was a huge success! Thanks for all the hugs, high fives, and support! And now we'd like to share some photos from our special day. Thanks!

Canopy's up and we're ready to go!

Set up begins!

The display cases make their debut!

My partner in crime shows his support.

Delightful earrings by Jenny Windler

Jenny arranges her collection

I want to extend a huge thank-you to everyone who came out to CAPSULE this past weekend. It was refreshing to see so many familiar faces, and invigorating to be introduced to so many more! We've got some really lovely photos to share from the event, but first we need to get you up to speed on what went into preparing for our very first show.

One of the great things about preparing for an event like this is that it forces you to sit down (or rather, run all over the place) and really make sure your business has everything up to speed. A short list of things I was forced to evaluate includes but is not limited to:

• Website and Facebook: Are they up to date?
• Photography: Have you taken high-res photos of one-of-a-kind pieces that may be sold that day?
• Marketing Materials: Business Cards? Post Cards, Line Sheets
• Displays: How do we present our work in a unique and intriguing way?
• Inventory: Creating, recording, and pricing new pieces
• Customer Base: Have you let all your friends and followers know this is a great time to come see your latest work?
• Tool Kit: Assemble all things needed for that day's event: including the canopy, tables, table cloths, credit card reader... you get where I'm headed with this.

JW hard at work

Next the interior or the cases needed a few coats of stain. This delicious coppery brown color looked so great against metal that we decided to leave it plain.

Then the exterior or the cases and windows needed a fresh coat of paint. I had a strong suspicion that the layers of paint on the old window frames were lead based, so I opted out of sanding them, adding to the 'rustic' finished product. After a few days and multiple painting sessions, the tops and bottoms were ready to be joined together and cleaned up for their debut. 

The final chore was to decide how we would display some jewelry outside of the cases. We had picked up half a dozen reclaimed wooden drawers and envisioned using them to generate some vertical interest. Be sure to check the next post to see the final product!

I know you are all anxiously awaiting the results of today's display assembly, but I couldn't resist sharing what's new! These beauties are rose cut sapphires in delicious pastel tones. They're large, natural colors and set within brushed sterling silver mountings. Come see them in person next weekend at CAPSULE, if they last that long!

When we first announced that we'd be participating in this fall's CAPSULE Design Festival it had seemed so far away. But in typical deadline fashion, I blinked and it's nearly here! My dirty little fingers have been working away on new varieties of my Fragments Collection, as well as one-of-a-kind hand fabricated designs featuring unique gemstones that will make their debut at the upcoming festival.

Please join us as we cherish the precious days of San Francisco's indian summer, enjoying the outdoors and exploring independent designer goods. Jenny Windler and I will be at booth #50 at Octavia & Ivy, so mark your calendars and we'll see you there!

Catch me at my first design festival this September! I'll be showcasing my goods alongside Jenny Windler at the Capsule Design Festival on September 18th in Hayes Valley! We'll be conveniently located in booth #50 at the corner of Octavia and Ivy. I look forward to seeing you!

Lots of great new pieces in the works for the upcoming Capsule Design Festival! These fragment rings with freshly set diamonds are ready to hit the stage!

What a productive few weeks it's been! Things have been alive and kicking in the studio, Lots of new pieces underway, along with great custom opportunities have kept my dirty little fingers quite busy. I couldn't be happier. Thanks again for all the support! I encourage you to subscribe to my blog for an inside view of what's cookin, check the website for official updates on collections and stores, and scope out etsy for great gift ideas for that special someone (or yourself-just sayin!)

Understanding the recipient is key to creating a lasting piece of jewelry. Every custom piece takes on it's own life as it is created for the specific needs of wearer. Because of this, my favorite step of the jewelry design process has become getting to know the individual. Its a conversation that extends beyond gemstones and metal into the emotional significance behind the jewelry we're creating. Whether it's a gift for birthday or anniversary, commitment or bridal, I'm honored to take part in creating something so deeply personal.

During my most recent commission I already knew the couple quite well. My cousin Stephanie and her fiancee Clay were married in Downtown Asheville, NC, on May 29, 2011. 

Stephanie and Clay are both kind-hearted, fun-loving, intelligent, family oriented, and generous. Clay has a welcoming demeanor that encourages anyone to be as comfortable as if they're family (and always have been). They laugh and love freely. Stephanie is always calm and collected. She never ceases to amaze me with her confidence and fashion sense. Contributing to the union of these incredible people is an opportunity I will continue to cherish. 

The rings were a matching pair of 14k white gold bands. Each had a hammered finish creating a soft sparkle as light hits the facets in different directions. They selected a style that suits both of their tastes and incorporated elements to suit their individual needs. He personalized by making the band larger a total of 8mm in width. Her band's width was selected to compliment the engagement ring. She also wanted her band to sit flush against her engagement ring, whose sides were not totally flat. To achieve this we created hers through lost wax casting, in which I carved a groove to mimic the shape of the solitaire. The end result is a complete wedding suite they can wear for years to come.

The ceremony and reception were a perfect mix of the the couple, their tastes, and their priorites. They wed during the afternoon in Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville, and held a reception at The Venue a few blocks away. The setting was stylish, with lots of natural daylight and light decoration. Their style was effortlessly infused into the ceremony and reception, including her show-stopping blue pumps from Tops for Shoes. They were surrounded by friends and family, with the lovely city of Asheville as a backdrop.

All photos by Ryan Leggett (www.ryanleggett.com)

Congratulations again to Clay and Stephanie, and thank you so much for the opportunity to contribute to your special day!

I am always welcoming custom orders and design consultations for your jewelry needs. Lets work together to create something that's uniquely you!