On rare occasions, a project comes around that makes me pinch myself and think, “Is this really happening?” (Remember when Oprah wore my Splash Cuff on TV?) When a healthcare brand commissioned me to design a custom gift for a renowned philanthropist, I almost didn’t believe it, but it turned out to be one of my most complex and ambitious jewelry projects to date.
Here’s how the Mountain Peak Earrings came to be:
A Fateful Email
This project began much like many of my commission projects: someone filled out my online inquiry form. When I first received the email, I was admittedly skeptical. How would someone way out West know about little ol’ me? But while it might have seemed out of the blue, my team and I have put years of hard work into spreading the word about Kristen Baird® Jewelry, my custom designs, and my signature style. So when a representative from a major healthcare company was searching for the perfect gift to thank their donor for her generous contribution to their new medical training program, Google led her right to my digital doorstep.
They were looking for something that would complement the donor’s impeccable style and artistic taste, and my jewelry seemed like the perfect fit. After our initial conversation, it was confirmed that I was the woman for the job. Now all the real work would begin!
Conceptual Design
From the first moment, the client had multiple design goals to balance. First, we needed to draw inspiration from the logos of three organizations: the hospital, the new program, and the donor’s foundation. Of course, they didn’t want me to stamp a logo on a pair of earrings. They wanted a creative design that symbolized the three organizations coming together in an artful way. They also requested a funky asymmetrical look to reflect the donor’s personal style.
My initial sketch was well received but very abstract, so we used elements from it to create a simplified version. I created the second concept in CAD. (I actually put the logo into black-and-white so I could trace the exact shape of the mountains.) After another round of notes, I used Canva to make final adjustments to the mock-up.
By the time the design was approved, I’d used a combination of hand sketching, computer modelling, and graphic design to imagine the piece.
Balance, Style, and Symbolism
The final design featured a large, prong-set Swiss Blue Topaz linked to a two-toned pendant with an 18K yellow-gold band offset on a textured Sterling Silver frame around a two-toned mountain landscape. Asymmetrically placed green amethyst and aquamarine stones pay homage to the logo’s original colors.
Because there were so many elements to these earrings, I spent a lot of time making sure the weight and proportions were correct. After testing, I returned to CAD to fine-tune the design and finalize the gemstone placement.
Intricate Fabrication
The Mountain Peak earrings had a complicated fabrication process, in no small part because the piece had to be cast in four separate layers. I had the silver frame, the gold mountain, the silver mountain, and the gold band all cast separately. Once the four pieces arrived, I hand-textured each one, then soldered them together in my studio, slowly building the earrings up one layer at a time.
Once the focal pieces were built, I tested the layout one final time before setting the stones. Great care was taken to ensure the weight, balance, and proportion were perfect so the earrings would be comfortable and hang correctly. As a designer’s choice, I opted for gold ear wires at the final moment to really bring the ensemble together.
In the end, these beauties surpassed even my own expectations. As an added special touch, I included a visual story of the jewelry-making process along with the packaging, so the donor could see all the work that went into this special gift.
A Proud Moment
I’m so proud of the way these earrings turned out, but I’m especially proud of the Kristen Baird® brand. I always say we are a small local brand with a national reach, but sometimes I even surprise myself with how true that is. People from all across the country are finding my work and choosing KBJ to make their vision a reality. The only limit is our imagination!
