The Royal Treatment

WHAT designers is a curated website that promotes the work of bold, modern, independent designers. Be sure to check out their Spring 2010 Independent Design Guide called The Royal Treatment in which indie designers put their spin on brilliant blue-hued designs. I've featured highlights here, including my Blue Is Peace Pendant. You're also invited to vote for your favorite design! The designer with the most votes will get a feature in the Summer 2010 design guide.

Cynthia Rybakoff sterling silver and blue quartz Blue Is Peace Pendant, $105.00 at Supermarket, Shopflick and CynthiaRybakoff.

Images courtesy of WHATdesigners.

Crazy Lace

All I can think about for Spring is filling my closet with a mix of pale pastels and neutrals. But baby it's still cold outside! So until warmer weather officially hits NYC, I'll be craving some hot pops of color to liven up all those winter greys. Like ruby crazy lace agate with blackened silver.

At home a little bright color goes a long way - we have a rocking chair like this in white leather but a bold print is much more fun!

While we're still on the topic of hot colors and bold prints, I think this vintage classic says it all!

Cynthia Rybakoff blackened sterling silver and crazy lace agate bracelet, $58.00 at Supermarket and Shopflick. Other images via Blinkdecor and Love.

Lovebirds

The term lovebirds was used as early as the 16th century to describe a couple with a tendency for PDA. Lovebirds and doves remain popular symbols in Western culture, representing love and fidelity. A bird is also slang, used by blokes looking upon the fairer sex with a slightly more carnal eye. With that in mind here are some avian inspired goodies for the season of love.

A very feminine amethyst and pink tourmaline partridge charm necklace and dangling partridge charm ring make cute love tokens for your bird on Valentine’s Day.

In nature lovebirds are a small and social species of parrots, noted for human-like affection for their mate. Lovebirds sleep sitting side-by-side and turn their faces in towards each other, like the pair on this note card by Handmade On Peconic Bay.

Cynthia Rybakoff sterling silver Love Bird Necklace, $48.00 on Supermarket and Shopflick. Mrs. Partridge sterling silver charm ring, $28.00, on Supermarket. Love Birds note card by Cynthia Rybakoff for Handmade on Peconic Bay, $3.50 at Supermarket and Etsy.

My Stars!

The holiday season is in full swing, so it’s a good time to take a step back from the shopping madness and whirlwind of social events crammed into a few short weeks, and contemplate the universe for just a moment. But that’s literally impossible to do in New York City, where the grid is brightly lit 24/7, canceling out any perspective of the actual night sky. I do love a crisp starry night, and just once I’d like to spend the holidays in a true winter wonderland, dashing through the snow and taking lovely after dinner strolls along Main Street, gazing up at the stars.

I’ve always been fascinated by the night sky, so naturally stars are a favorite motif of mine, ever since I first saw this particular star illustration (top), by my first artist crush Peter Max. Not long ago, I found these ultra-pure blue lapis star shaped beads (above), and it was love at first sight! Not only did they remind me of my favorite Peter Max illustration, but the phrase “blue is celestial” just popped into my mind and I pictured a cascade of falling blue lapis stars jewels.

Stars are also favored by Kelsey Merritt, who incidentally IS a rising star in the pop music biz. Kelsey and the Chaos! has been ripping through stages and exciting fans all over the country, so be sure to preview their smoking hot new single “Life Goes On”, and buy it on iTunes December 15th, when you’ll also get Kelsey’s very cool cover of “Santa Baby” free with your purchase. Kelsey was a guest model for my Blue Is Collection, and here she is wearing her own star patterned top with my Blue Is Celestial lapis star earrings and necklace. Can one wear too many stars? I think not.

Cynthia Rybakoff Blue Is Celestial oxidized silver and lapis star earrings, $78 and necklace, $110 at Supermarket and Shopflick.