BrynnAlexis jewelry is about preservation.  It is about making a statement.  It is about being truly one-of-a-kind.

BrynnAlexis jewelry is a line visualized, developed, created and marketed by me, Brynn Hurlstone.  I'm a one woman outfit and I need you and your history to create a new line that is unlike anything you've seen before!  But first, a bit of backstory.  Feel free to skip it if you like :)

How I Got Here

Aside from the obvious creative leanings I've had since exiting the womb, it all started seven years ago when I lost my father to cancer.  At the time I was in college studying 3d fine art with a major in glassblowing.  My father was the head of the program when he passed, and losing him flipped my world on its head.  As what I've now recognized as a way to deal with his loss, I began creating artwork from his leftover glass "parts" that he intended for future sculptures.  I found them beautiful, inspirational and priceless, and knew I needed to enshrine them in such a way that they could never be lost.  My BFA show was entitled "Reliquary for my Father," and featured a series of work designed completely around the preservation of his art pieces.  I submerged shards of his glass within my sculptures, creating new objects that highlighted the beauty of his.  The show was cathartic, and my need to process his loss was met, but the love of creating art from art has never left me.

Flash forward 5 years to Seattle, and a fateful trip to a rummage sale where I found a vial of tiny brass gears that set my creative soul on fire.  I longed to incorporate them into my artwork somehow but I knew that they would melt the instant I put hot glass anywhere near them, and their integrity as perfect minutely detailed objects would be gone.  Enter Resin, which has the same illuminating and magnifying qualities that I so love in glass, without the destructive heat.  Resin lead to jewelry and jewelry lead to vintage and here we are, in summation.

What is BrynnAlexis?

The BrynnAlexis jewelry line was inspired by vintage objects, and aspires to highlight their intrinsic beauty. I use only vintage chains that I find at antique stores, rummage sales and vintage malls, never the chains sold in rolls at your nearest jewelry makers supply store. I also utilize vintage gears in nearly all of my pieces, as well as things like antique stamps and postcards, clippings from Sears catalogs from the 1900's, links from bracelets that look oh-so-good as stand alone pendants, and old pocket-watches that no longer work, just to name a few. 

Additionally, I draw inspiration from nature, and instead of trying to replicate the stunning art that the world provides to us, I use the objects themselves.  I fervently believe that no manmade item can ever compete with the awe-inspiring perfection to be found in our surroundings. By utilizing objects like birch bark, orchid petals, driftwood and stones I not only create stunning wearable art, but preserve their natural exquisiteness for generations to come.  The juxtaposition of vintage parts and living elements creates a dynamic and unexpected visual effect, which is perfect for what I like to call Statement Jewelry. 

The majority of my materials are found objects that I enhance or alter in a way that highlights their pre-existing aesthetics.  By using things that I find instead of creating the jewelry from scratch I lessen the amount of stuff that I'm adding to the already congested world.  I'm also saving finely crafted items from being thrown in the trash and sitting in a landfill for 300 years.  So, by supporting BrynnAlexis jewelry you are supporting the future!! How awesome are you?!

Please go to www.brynnalexis.com if you'd like to see more of my work or know more about BrynnAlexis the business.

Here's where Kickstarter (and You) comes in:

The core motivation behind BrynnAlexis has always been the preservation of memories.  From the very beginning I have incorporated vintage elements and pieces of nature into my work.  I believe that through the medium of resin jewelry I can not only save precious objects from the wear and tear of time, but can bring pieces of history back into the limelight by turning them into wearable art.  

Over the past two years I have had numerous requests to create custom jewelry from personal heirlooms.  I LOVE the idea of making jewelry that is beautiful and deeply meaningful to my clients.  In order to make this dream a reality I have decided to make this Kickstarter project, which will allow me to custom design jewelry for you, with you, and from your memories!

This is how it works

   *Choose your desired setting from the list of rewards on the right, and pledge the attached amount.  Reward levels for custom jewelry start at just $25 so a custom designed BrynnAlexis accessory doesn't have to break the bank.

  *Once the project gets funded I'll send a sturdy self-addressed envelope to your provided address, which you'll then return with your memento.  

  *Enclosed with your envelope will be a form where you can jot down a brief story about your item, why it's importnt and what you'd like to see highlighted within your piece.  

*Before I alter your object in any way I'll shoot you an email with my plans for your jewelry so that we can both be sure that you'll love it!

A few small rules:

  *Nothing 3-Dimensional please! Objects with too much depth add an extra layer of difficulty and uncertainty to the project that I'm not willing to risk with a priceless itm of yours.

  *Nothing made after 1979 please! I know you have objects that are newer that you'd love to see in jewelry, but BrynnAlexis is about preserving history not recent events.  

  * The item must be either cuttable or small enough to fit inside your chosen frame 

  *Natural objects are great! Just make sure it's dried first.  Pressed flowers, bark and leaves all look great submergd in resin, but nothing looks good if it's gooey...

I can't tell you how grateful I am that you've read this far, that you're considering supporting my dream, and that maybe you already have.  By contributing to the success of this Kickstarter project you're pronouncing your belief in sustainability and  your love of the beautiful things in our world, and you're paving the road to one woman's true path in life.  Thank YOU!

The Rewards