After a Fashion: The Jewelry Vault

"Judge Andy Brown" does have a certain ring to it ... (Photo courtesy of Brad Seats)

Just because we haven't talked about some of these people in some time does not mean they haven't been producing stunning work. Our old friend and CFDA-winner Nak Armstrong, whose dazzling career has given him the opportunity to drape his magnificent jewels on some of the most beautiful women in the world (and on the covers of dozens and dozens of magazines), continues to turn out jaw-droppingly glorious jewels. Recent examples are the spectacular inverted shield earrings of rainbow moonstone, light green tourmaline, 18k rose gold, and sterling silver, as well as the exquisite ruffled emerald earrings (recently featured in InStyle magazine) with emeralds, of course, and rainbow moonstones, labradorite, mixed green tourmaline, white sapphires, 18k rose gold, and sterling silver. With Barney's New York as a major buyer, Nak's jewels continue to enchant with their breathtaking beauty (512/383-9197, www.nakarmstrong.com, a website that intriguingly directs you to "Point only at what you wish to inhabit")... Eliza Page (in the Second Street District, www.elizapage.com) has faaabulous one-of-a-kind gemstone rings (with free ground shipping) in mouthwatering pink and green watermelon tourmaline, green chrysoprase, dazzling blue amazonite, deep red carnelian, each with a yellow gold bezel and hammered sterling band. Each uniquely shaped ring is designed by Eliza Page owner Elizabeth Gibson for the Eliza Page Collection, which runs between $325-395... Also from the jewelry vault comes the news that jewelry designer and former Austinite Susan Domelsmith and her successful company Dirty Librarian Chains will return to Austin on Sunday, June 23, for what she calls the Ninth Anniversary: Bringing It Back to My Roots Jewelry Workshop (4 & 6pm, Bungalow 607, 607 Nueces, 512/585-8996). Beginning her company here in Austin and selling hundreds of one-of-a-kind pieces through the late, lamented Factory People on the chic SoCo Strip, she left seven years ago as her collections were picked up first nationally and then internationally. A leader and teacher in the sustainable fashion movement, Susan's work has graced the runways of New York Fashion Week, and she has designed collections for Urban Outfitters and Free People. With her work having been featured in British Vogue, Elle, New York Magazine, the Huffington Post, WWD, and Teen Vogue, Susan says she is grateful to return to Austin, a place that has endlessly inspired her, for this special event.

A WHOLE NEW BAG

Entrepreneurs Kace Layton and Jon Aljets have formed a company called Pith and Pride (www.pithandpride.com), and their first product line is the Sense of Place series of tote bags. With the passing of the Single-Use Bag Ordinance, Kace and Jon knew that us Austin-types would probably choose to avoid the synthetic, non-woven bags emblazoned with Walmart and Target and prefer a line of 100% recycled cotton, certified fair-wage/fair-labor canvas totes, each screen-printed with locally inspired designs of popular natural areas including Mount Bonnell and Enchanted Rock. Make a statement about buying locally and feel good that Pith and Pride is donating $1 from the sale of every tote to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Our next and newest (fingers crossed) Travis County judge, the dedicated former head of the Travis County Democratic Party Andy Brown, had a proud showing of nearly 600 people at Threadgill's for the kickoff of his campaign. Affable Andy reminds us that June 30 is the most important fundraising deadline of his campaign, since it will be the only report before the filing deadline. Your donation of $10, $25, $50, or more to www.voteandy.com will help this "unabashedly progressive" candidate (as Jim Hightower called him) get elected. Kick ass, Andy!