The last several nights have been packed full of events: Socially Connected, CFC’s Black Experience in Cinema and the Balisi store opening on Yonge/Eglinton. Ending off my week was Bijouxbead’s Valentine’s Day cocktail party at uptown clothing boutique Magnolia. The aim of the event was to draw in and embrace the local community, and showcase the designs of Darlene Martin, the artistic mind behind Bijouxbead.

Martin’s beaded creations were shown throughout the store blending in with Magnolia’s clean cut and sophisticated aesthetic. Jewellery was displayed on tables, shelves and was cheerfully passed among guests to try on and model. There were consistent ohs and ahs as long strands of beaded necklaces composed of glass metal and stone were draped on the necks of all the ladies present. Seeing a larger sample of Martin’s creations showed off the diversity of her skill and stock for purchase that also includes bracelets and earrings.

Images taken by Kimberly

Event description: Toronto-based jewellery line Bijouxbead has teamed up with upscale fashion boutique Magnolia for a special cocktail reception to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Guests can shop while enjoying a glass of wine and delectable cupcakes and mingle with an eclectic group of Toronto’s fashion industry insiders, media and artisan lovers.

Bijouxbead designer, Darlene Martin will be in-store to greet customers and help them find the perfect piece of wearable art as a Valentine gift for a loved one or a special treat for themselves.  

Bijouxbead’s wearable jewellery art consists of earrings, bracelets and necklaces (ranging in price from $70 up to $1,300 for custom pieces) and is also available for purchase online at www.bijouxbead.com/shoponline. For those who can’t make the event, Magnolia will have select pieces from Martin’s collection available for purchase in-store until February 14, 2010.

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Location: Magnolia, 333 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario

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This holiday season designer pop-up stores are all the rage throughout the City of Toronto. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, a “pop-up retail space is a venue that is temporary... (it) allows a company to create a unique environment that engages their customers, as well as generates a feeling of relevance and interactivity,” buzz and exposure (Wikipedia).

I haven’t been able to attend most of the pop-up stores, but I did go to the Bijouxbead Holiday Pop-Up Interactive Store held at the Fair Trade Jewellery Company and had the pleasure of meeting the charming Darlene Martin, jewellery designer and creative mind behind Bijouxbead.

For Martin’s holiday pop-up store she created an eight piece collection inspired by the spring/summer 2010 creations by Canadian designers, such as Evan Biddell, David Dixon, Brandon Dwyer and Sonny Fong. Each necklace had eight strands and was composed of sterling silver and glass crystal pieces – they were quite beautiful and well made.

You still have a few days to drop by, see Martin’s creations and do a little holiday shopping. Here are the details:

Date: December 1 – 14, 2009
Location: The Atelier of The Fair Trade Jewellery Company
523 Parliament Street, Toronto
Phone: (647) 430-8741

Hours:
Monday – Tuesday by appointment only
Wednesday – Friday 12:30pm-8:00pm
Saturday – Sunday 11:30am-6:00pm

Pictures taken by Kimberly Lyn

Bijouxbead Holiday Interactive Pop Up Show

"My muse is Canada; its nature, its people, its inimitability, and the horizontal links between them. My work has a distinct aesthetic that draws from several different mediums – be it glass, metal or stone. To feel the warmth that transfers from the wearer to these pieces inspired the Bijouxbead tagline feel what you wear, wear what you feel. As my handmade collection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings develops, so too does my passion for incorporating the Canadian experience into my work" ~ Darlene Martin, Bijouxbead

Date: December 1 – 14, 2009
Location: The Atelier of The Fair Trade Jewellery Company
523 Parliament Street, Toronto
Phone: (647) 430-8741

Hours:
Monday – Tuesday by appointment only
Wednesday – Friday 12:30pm-8:00pm
Saturday – Sunday 11:30am-6:00pm

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