Nature-Inspired Jewels from Beatrice Valenzuela
While putting the finishing touches on her new shoe line, LA-based designer Beatrice Valenzuela has launched her first collection of jewelry. Each of the five delicate pieces take inspiration from nature and are handcrafted in LA out of brass and pine. The resulting ear cuff, hair cage, hair pin, necklace and spiral hair pin are simultaneously delicate and bold, while brimming with the same sense of intrigue embodied by the multi-talented designer herself. We chatted with Beatrice about her new venture…
Heather Taylor: What was the inspiration for starting your line of jewelry?
Beatrice Valenzuela: It’s really all coming from my love affair with jewelry and dreaming about flowers turning into precious metals. I loved the idea of picking up a calla lily and draping it around the neck or behind and around the ear, holding back curls away from the face. Or using a beautiful hair cage to fix a top knot in place.
HT: Tell us about the pieces you are currently offering? And what materials are you working with?
BV: The collection is now available in brass and walnut and it is all sculpted by hand. We have a necklace, an ear cuff, a spiral back hair pin, a hair pin and a hair cage.
HT: Are you releasing any new designs for holiday?
BV: Yes! The line will soon be available in silver and white pine. I’m also working on a ring and a bracelet in the same theme.
HT: How would you describe the Beatrice Valenzuela girl?
BV: Very open to new and exciting ideas. Curious and voracious for new information. Always moving forward and looking at life as a gift. Most of all wanting to laugh, have fun and be SEXY!
HT: Favorites of the moment….
Magazine? Gather Journal, the desert issue. It has recipes on how to make prickly pear cocktails and a date shake that reminds me of the one featured on LA in Bloom’s webisode series.
Album? My daughter Astrid (5 years old) has her own record player and she plays Stevie Wonder a lot. Right now we are listening to Songs In The Key of Life. It’s excellent!
Movie? Respiro (Breath) by, Emanuele Crialese
City to visit? Formentera, Balearic Island, Spain. I’ve never been but I want to go there today.
Lipstick color? Angela by Nars Audacious lipstick. It’s a bright magenta the same color as the bugambilias in my garden.
Candle? Le Feu Vert, it’s a mysterious fig leaf fragrance by Le Feu De L’eau. Perfect for this season.
Piece of business advice? Take your time before making decisions when you aren’t 100% sure. However long it takes. It will pay off. A very beloved friend shared this advice with me.
Place to get a chai tea latte? My most favorite chai in Los Angeles is at Casbah Café. I know the girls that work the morning shift there and I love to catch up with them while they make a cup of chai which I then douse in honey. I usually ask for a soy chai latte.
Family activity? Going out for raw oysters in the shell and drinking bubbly. There are so many great places that offer this in LA. L & E Oyster Bar and Hungry Cat are very popular with our family.
Photography by Jeana Sohn
