march in instagram

went to Cuba!

trip highlight: an evening at the famous tropicana club

my dream car

back in NYC and enjoying the view

saw my cousin {center} in his first off-broadway role in "middle of the night"

souvenir from Cuba

working on a Cuba-inspired collection

scenes from my desk

buying trip for my next collection!

happy birthday to my best friend!

I love everything wes anderson does

flashback to the last sunset in Havana

working on new pieces for summer 2014

bon weekend

via

may your weekend involve breakfast in bed

xx

katie

styling the daphne

1. Katie Bartels gemstone jewelry Daphne bracelet // 2. fendi 2jours small textured-leather shopper // 3. j.crew viv patent flats in blue grotto // 4. maison martin margiela MM6 structured seam-detail top // 5. marc jacobs nail polish in 138 jezebel // 6. tibi raffia organza skirt

1. Katie Bartels gemstone jewelry Daphne bracelet // 2. jil sander leather fold-over clutch // 3. maxmara studio galilea dress // 4. butter london nail lacquer in molly coddled // 5. j.crew everly crackled metallic leather pumps in metallic gold 

1. YSL nail lacquer in l rouge pop-art vibrant red // 2. Katie Bartels gemstone jewelry Daphne bracelet // 3. j.crew drapey crepe tank in hammock green // 4. kenzo cubic palm-print silk trousers // 5. sophie hulme mini envelope cross-body bag // 6. j.crew canvas espadrilles in pale umber

styling the jess necklace

1. Katie Bartels gemstone jewelry Jess necklace // 2. dolce and gabbana nail polish in perfection // 3. chloe marcie medium tote // 4. gianvito rossi point-toe leather pumps // 5. diane von furstenburg zoe dress

1. Katie Bartels gemstone jewelry Jess necklace // 2. NARS nail polish in dovima // 3. j.crew claremont perforated clutch // 4. gianvito rossi ankle-strap suede sandals // 5. weekend by maxmara rimini dress

1. Katie Bartels gemstone jewelry Jess necklace // 2. sensi studio bead embellished basket tote // 3. marc by marc jacobs caprice double strap sandals // 4. maxmara's max mosa dress // 5. dolce and gabbana nail polish in fire

styling the maisie earrings

1. Katie Bartels maisie freshwater pearl and sterling star stud earrings // 2. tenoverten nail polish in hudson // 3. coach the borough bag in retro glove tan leather // 4. maison martin margiela MM6 structured seam-detail top // 5. TOMs purple multi women's jutti flats // 6. rag & bone sonoma mid-rise capri jeans

1. Katie Bartels gemstone jewelry maisie freshwater pearl and sterling star stud earrings // 2. YSL nail lacquer in beige leger // 3. anya hindmarch vaughan leather tote // 4. weekend by maxmara niagra silk-crepe blouse // 5. chloe lauren scalloped-edge snakeskin flat // 6. cedric charlier straight-leg tailored trousers

1. Katie Bartels gemstone jewelry maisie freshwater pearl and sterling star stud earrings  // 2. diane von furstenberg jessa top // 3. maxmara eritrea clutch // 4. charlotte olympia admiral high-heel sandals // 5. illamasqua nail varnish in ruthless // 6. maxmara vadius skirt

SS14 launch!

I am pleased to announce the launch of my spring summer collection!

and even better news: there is more to come. in may you can look forward to the addition of several new designs. I will keep you posted on that launch.

but in the meantime enjoy my new brightly colored coral designs, stud earrings, and the new look of my laser cut wood earrings.

flowers and plants of cuba

typical of a warm climate, there were lots of gorgeous flowers and palm trees everywhere we went in cuba. I took lots of photos with the hope of using some of the vibrant colors and shapes as inspiration for future jewelry designs. here is a peek at some of the snapshots:

vibrant orange flower at hemingway's house

purple on one side, green on the other

palm tree view from our hotel in cienfuegos

I'm turning these leaves into a bracelet

adore the colors

young bloom

palms at the bay of pigs

flower petals

the shapes and patterns of cuba

I fell in love with a lot of shapes, patterns, and vintage fonts during my trip to cuba. I constantly thought "how can I make this an earring?"...here's a look at some of my favorite finds:

landmarks of cuba

here are some snapshots from our days touring the major landmarks of cuba:

revolution square

building on the perimeter of revolution square

gorgeous view of havana

view of the capitol from our hotel

one of hemingway's favorite bars

cathedral plaza

san francisco square

the tropicana club

bay of pigs

hemingway's house