Jewelry designer says ‘I do’ to creating new line

By IRENE SEIBERLING
Leader-Post
One of Canada’s hottest up-and-coming jewelry designers has found yet another niche she can fill — jewelry for weddings and celebrations. “Over the past few months, I have been approached by various brides to do pieces for themselves and their bridal party,” Ottawa-
based Karen McClintock explained. “One in particular had been searching for quite some time and could not find what she was looking for in her price range. She wanted turquoise, brown and silver for her bridesmaids. 

“She was also living in Inuvik and was limited in where she could source out her pieces. She was getting married in Cuba,” McClintock recalled. 

“In the end, she got exactly what she wanted,” she proudly pointed out. 

Never shy about exploring unfamiliar territory, McClintock started to do some research. She checked out bridal magazines. She talked to people in the industry. And she decided she was up for yet another new challenge.
“I realized that there was a large gap that I could fill,” she said. 

What McClintock discovered was that there were lots of options in the lower price range — costume jewelry made overseas with metal, glass and paste. And reputable jewelers offered plenty of high-end pieces — at thousands of dollars. 

“In my price range — $280 to $425 — there was little,” she insisted.
Yet another selling feature is McClintock’s ability to incorporate the colours many brides look for when searching for pieces for their bridesmaids. “What makes my pieces unique is both
the richness of colours and the styles that can be worn long after the wedding or celebrations,”
she said. “They are contemporary designs and put an edge to what is traditionally a conservative look.”
For Spring 2009, McClintock is offering eight groups, inspired by friend Michelle Valberg’s floral photographs. There’s a white group, for the bride — white, silver, iridescent. The other groups are: taupe, yellow, purple, blue, green, red and pink. 

McClintock’s weddings and celebrations collection incorporates semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals and pearls, freshwater pearls, sterling silver, pewter, mother-
of-pearl, and cubic zirconia. Prices are the same as for her regular collections,
which are available online at www.KarenMcclintock. com at select Holt Renfrew locations, and from Ottawa-based Shepherd’s Fashion

and Accessories. For example, a fivestrand, pearl, Swarovski crystal sterling necklace costs $365. Or, a one-strand sterling link with amethyst, mother-of-pearl, Swarovski crystal, pewter, and cubic zirconia is $325. Swarovski crystal sterling drop earrings are $75. And a teal Swarovski crystal sterling bracelet is $125. McClintock isn’t competing with herself with the new collection. On the contrary. Loyal fans of Karen McClintock jewelry will continue to see regular seasonal collections. The new collection is targeted at a new audience. That said, there’s no rule that says you have to be a bride or bridesmaid to wear a piece from the weddings and celebrations collection! For more information, visit McClintock’s Web site at
www.KarenMcclintock.com, or e-mail her
at Karen@KarenMcclintock.com