Vendor View with Joias Design and Katrynka Ink

We're excited to present two new jewelry artist to Shop Austin 2010 - Joias Design by Martha Breternitz and Katrynka Ink by Kat Babboni. Their application pictures stood out because their work is eclectic, globally inspired, artistic, and organic in style - and wonderfully representative of the culturally diverse city we love - Austin!

Joias Design was founded by Brazilian native Martha Breternitz in 2003.  She has won many awards for her finely crafted jewelry, and her work is carried by galleries in Austin and San Antonio.

What makes your products uniquely "Austin"?
Austin is a melting pot of diversity, a beautiful city both small-town and cosmopolitan, where all types can be themselves and intermingle. Similarly, my jewelry puts pearls together with hand-crafted wire, Swarovski crystals with stones, wood with Tagua seeds--somehow, all these disparate materials from different parts of the world come together to make something both unique and beautiful, just like Austin. I use intriguing color combinations and explore the interplay between symmetry and asymmetry, in order to structure forms differently than just your average necklace. In a city where a gal can wear jeans or a dress wherever she likes, my jewelry is versatile enough to go with both!


Who is your biggest inspiration?
My mother. My mom was an artistic soul that would do all sorts of handmade works--from knitting to sewing to crotchet to watercolor to charcoal to architecture to furniture design to tapestry--she took her creativity to every endeavour, and did all of them with excellence. But one thing she never did was jewelry. Her tastes were contemporary, and she shaped my inclinations in design towards the modern and the unique. She had a great eye for color and composition, was innovative and always thought outside the box--but unfortunately, never became a member of the artistic circle, and when she passed away this year, she died a (brilliant) unknown. That's my mom, and I live and create in her memory.

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Katrynka Ink by Kat Babboni is lovingly handmade from raw wire and sheet metal, and is just one of her expressions in art - this talented young lady is also prolific in ink, painting, mixed media and sculpture!

Describe your work:
My jewelry is hand-crafted of metal and stone, beads and wire. I incorporate a variety of techniques in each piece including wire-wrapping, stone-setting, riveting, piercing, forging, fabrication, patination, enamel work, chainmaille and knotting. My line includes necklaces for men and women, earrings, bracelets, rings and brooches.

What makes your products uniquely "Austin"?
Upon my move to Austin 3 years ago the direction of my work changed dramatically. I am constantly inspired by my surroundings. The rich scenery, the wide array of art and music, and the abundant wildlife & greenspace that envelops the city has seeped into my designs and reflects what I consider to be uniquely "Austin"



Allison and I look forward to meeting these amazing women - and sharing their work with you!  Shop Austin 2010 promises to be a fantastic show, with a carefully chosen group of talented artists selected to delight and inspire!

xo, Anne Marie