Chicago based Gretchen Hind Designs (http://www.gretchenhinddesigns.etsy.com), owned by jewelry designer Gretchen Hind, recently contributed a handcrafted coordinating ring and earring set to the Press Bags at the GBK Celebrity Gift Lounge for the MTV Movie Awards on June 1-2 at the L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills. The pieces brought a vintage modern vibe to the gifting, with a focus on the classic and timeless combination of green agate and copper. Chicago based Gretchen Hind Designs, owned by jewelry designer Gretchen Hind, contributed a handcrafted coordinating ring and earring set to the Press Bags at the GBK Celebrity Gift Lounge for the MTV Movie Awards on June 1-2 at the L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills. The set brought a vintage modern vibe to the gifting with a focus on the classic and timeless combination of green agate and copper.
“Being selected to take part in the GBK Gift Lounge was an honor,” said Ms. Hind. “I knew my triple hoop earrings and wire wrapped rings in copper would be a great fit for the MTV crowd and the press covering the event. To add a touch of vintage luxury, I selected raw green agate as the focal point for the rings and green Picasso Czech glass beads as accents for the earrings. Agate plays beautifully with copper’s warm, rich hues and the Picasso beads added a great textural element.” Hind is also a believer in the healing properties of gemstones. Green agate conveys compassion, generosity, good fortune and justice. “This aspect only enhances the beauty of the pieces,” commented Hind.
Hind has been making jewelry since 2009. She specializes in affordable signature designs handcrafted using creativity and simple hand tools. Wire wrapping, chainmaille weaving and hand forged metal plus gemstones, natural and polished stones and vintage glass beads and findings are the building blocks for Hind’s designs. Hind notes her customers appreciate one of a kind and says, “Although wire wrapped jewelry is fairly common in the handmade marketplace, I like the challenge of making designs I haven’t seen done before. Many of my pieces are custom orders incorporating rare vintage or estate sale discoveries or natural unpolished stones found by me or the customer.”
Hind says she is mostly self-taught in jewelry and believes the desire to create is in her nature. “I’ve always loved making and building things,” laughed Hind. “My home is overflowing with funky lampshades, paintings, curtains, pillows and the like, all made by me.” Hind believes she got the wherewithal to pursue her creative aspirations from her grandmother, who discovered painting in her 60s. “Many of my grandmother’s paintings hang in my home today,” smiled Hind. Living near Lake Michigan and the culturally rich city of Chicago, Hind says she is most inspired by nature, history and mid-century modern design.
Gretchen Hind Designs pieces are in the collections of Hilary Duff, Cari Cucksey, Rachael Ray and Tyra Banks. Hind is working on a design for Paula Abdul and will have pieces in the Press Bags at the upcoming GBK Primetime Emmy Awards Gift Lounge and the Official 46th Annual Country Music Awards Gift Lounge.
Gretchen Hind is an almost fanatical map pinner and notes her designs have shipped to 42 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Singapore, Australia, Israel, Spain, Germany, Canada and Liverpool, England. This last is Hind’s coup de grace since she is a “lifelong, huge Beatles fan.” Hind sells her work on Etsy (http://www.gretchenhinddesigns.etsy.com), at select area boutiques and occasional art festivals in the Chicago area. She is in discussions with a yoga studio opening in the Chicago area to develop a line of yoga jewelry using stones with physical and emotional healing elements. To learn more about Gretchen Hind Designs and its participation in the GBK Celebrity Gift Lounge for the MTV Movie Awards and other celebrity gifting initiatives, visit http://www.gretchenhinddesigns.etsy.com.
About Gretchen Hind Designs
Jewelry designer Gretchen Hind is the owner of Chicago based Gretchen Hind Designs. Hind launched the company in 2009 and specializes in creating affordable, handcrafted signature designs with a vintage modern vibe. Gretchen Hind Designs jewelry is available at select Chicago area boutiques and online at http://www.gretchenhinddesigns.etsy.com.
