Whatever your view is on graffiti– art or vandalism– you have to have at least a slight admiration for the graffiti artist. These people go out and put a message out to the world in as public a forum as possible, not to mention that they are usually incredibly artistically talented. We should mention that we are not referring to people who simply take a can of spray paint with the intentions of defacing public property with vulgar words. There are a whole slew of graffiti artists who use their art to provide social commentaries.

Take, for example, Banksy, the British graffiti artist who is known for his stenciled designs that often depict satirical views on issues. Many of his stencilings have been viewed as acts of vandalism and have been covered, but a great deal of his paintings have sold at auctions for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Maybe you can’t afford a Banksy original, but love graffiti as an art form. That’s where Max & Chloe steps in to help you out. We have a few pieces that have drawn their style straight from wall scribblings. As far as necklaces go, we have two by Christie Martin. The Graffiti Initial Necklace features a single graffiti letter charm, while the Sterling Silver Name Plate can be personalized with up to 15 letters. Jennifer Zeuner has the Graffiti Love Necklace that showcases the word “Love” in graffiti letters.

For something completely different, check out the Christie Martin Sterling Silver Graffiti Ring. This piece is unlike any other because the graffiti-style letters are actually carved out of the sterling silver band. It can be personalized with up to 8 letters so you can showcase your name, your initials, or perhaps a short mantra.

Tags: Banksy | Christie Martin | graffiti jewelry | Jennifer Zeuner | personalized jewelry | sterling silver jewelry

There’s something about Lauren Conrad that we can’t stop watching, and it’s not just all the drama she endures on her MTV show, “The Hills.” Maybe it’s because she is truly everywhere. Pick up a magazine or tabloid, she’s there. Flip on the television, she’s there. Head to fashion week, she’s there. What’s nice about Lauren is that she’s not ferociously seeking attention the way her costars, and former comrades, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag (Pratt?) do with their phony publicity stunts and outrageous claims (anyone remember the sex-tape scandal?). There just seems to be a natural interest in Lauren

The high school senior turned Teen Vogue intern turned fashion designer recently held a fashion show for her self-titled clothing line. Once again she was pulled off the perfect look. She topped off her sparkly sheath dress with a simple pendant necklace.

If you want to create a look similar to Lauren’s, we have a few options that you can use to imitate her minimalist appearance. For starters, Zoe Chicco Personalized Sterling Silver Disk Necklace is a nice choice because it can be personalized with up to 3 characters and hangs on a ball chain. Another choice is GK Designs Medium Sterling Silver Initial Charm. This necklace is even simpler than the previous because the pendant only contains only one letter of your choice. Finally, we have the Jennifer Zeuner Stars & Moon Necklace. This necklace is a little different because it’s not quite as modest as the other two, but it is beautiful nonetheless. Sometimes we just need a little extra pizzazz, which this necklace offers with its stars and moon cutouts.

We can’t get enough of Lauren and anxiously await her next fabulous and fashionable move.

Photo courtesy of InStyle.com

Tags: GK Designs | Jennifer Zeuner | Lauren Conrad | pendant necklace | Zoe Chicco

Our final designer interview is with Jennifer Zeuner who has quickly gained a strong customer following for her gorgeous, delicate jewelry pendants and charms, and the inspiring and comforting meanings of each.

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jennifer has had stars in her eyes for the world of fashion from a young age, but she hesitated because she wasn’t sure whether or not she could make it. She attended Tufts University in Massachusetts at seventeen to study Psychology and Communications. After graduating she pursued Public Relations and worked in a PR firm in Miami, where she honed the marketing skills that she would need when she did start her own company. Jennifer said, “I learned a lot of the tools necessary for marketing my jewelry line. Public Relations was challenging and fun but didn’t satisfy my urge to be artistic. A few years later, I started designing and making jewelry.”

Her careful intentions are expressed in her designs, and those intentions resonate as strongly with us as the beauty of the designs. “I always embraced the island’s spiritual energy,” Jennifer said of her hometown, and though that was one of her strongest sources of inspiration, she also found it in unexpected places, like from the compliments her friends paid her. We were thrilled to catch up with Jennifer Zeuner because we’re confident that yes, she has made it.

Max and Chloe Have you always wanted to design things?
Jennifer Zeuner When I was a young girl in Puerto Rico, I longed to be a clothing designer. My father manufactured clothing and I grew up reading WWD and Vogue. My favorite place to hang out was my father’s factory. I don’t know why, but as I got older, I didn’t feel it was realistic to make it as a designer and I lost sight of my true passion. Eventually, I returned to what I absolutely love.

M&C How did you decide to become a jewelry designer? How did you get started?
Jennifer Initially designing and making jewelry was a creative outlet (a quiet escape from raising two young boys). It satisfied my need to literally “create” with my hands. I didn’t envision it becoming a profitable business. However, it quickly became a “business” as the orders started coming in. I never really planned it. It sort of just happened. One day someone asked if I worked and it clicked. I was a jewelry designer. It’s true that when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.

M&C What is your favorite creation?
Jennifer I had made a hand (hamsa) pendant necklace for a friend and attached an eye at the clasp. She looked at it and told me she felt double the protection because the hand was in the front and the eye lay on her neck. The realization that a necklace could have a symbolic component that was hidden on the back of the necklace inspired me to make my best seller, the double protection necklace. It’s a 25″ reversible necklace that instead of a clasp has only 2 pendants (eye/hand), one on each end. After designing the double protection, my favorite necklace, I went on to make double luck (horseshoe/clover), peace/om and star /moon.

M&C How would you describe your jewelry?
Jennfier My jewelry is a reflection of my personal style, simple with a Bohemian twist. Also because it’s simple, it lends itself to be layered. I love wearing my favorite vest with a dress or jeans, different every time. The same goes for my jewelry. The same simple piece can reflect a different mood when layered and worn differently.

M&C Have you ever expressed yourself through another path apart from jewelry design?
Jennifer Personally, I’ve always expressed myself through my style. I consider my look to be laid back, practical and somewhat bohemian. I never straighten my naturally wavy hair. If I tuck my shirt in, I’ll make sure its not perfectly done. I make an effort to look like getting ready and dressed was effortless.

M&C When did you realize that this dream was something you could pursue wholeheartedly?
Jennifer I realized it when I walked into Intermix in South Beach about 4 years ago and the district manager, Claudia, asked me where I bought my necklace, one of my first creations. She literally called the buyer and told her to buy the entire line!! I had been shopping at the Intermix in NYC for at least ten years and to know the buyer was going to check out my line was a “Wow” moment. Soon after I was honored by Gen Art as one of their fresh faces in fashion.

M&C How did you prepare yourself for the business and marketing aspect of your company?
Jennifer I didn’t! I learned along the way. Instinctively, I knew what the next step was. For instance, getting your pieces in the right retailers is important. They have to be a reflection of your jewelry. It’s important to be selective. The right retailer such as maxandchloe.com has to complement the jewelry’s image.

M&C What inspires you in everyday life?
Jennifer People that have their own, unique style inspire me. I love to see people put things together in a creative, unexpected yet cohesive way. Cameron Diaz was the first celebrity to buy my pieces. I was extremely honored because I consider her style an inspiration.

M&C How would you describe your ideal jewelry?
Jennifer My ideal jewelry is simple, practical and reflective of who I am. I’m not into representing brands. I like to represent who I am with my jewelry. I gravitate towards symbolic and personal pieces. My ideal jewelry offers a glimpse of oneself.

M&C What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
Jennifer My favorite piece of jewelry right now is the large hand (hamsa) and white wood bead bracelet. I love that it’s dramatic yet simple and a little bohemian.

M&C What is your favorite trend?
Jennifer My favorite trend is layering. I can buy the same piece as my best friend and wear it totally differently. I can layer my bangles with beads or wear that short initial necklace with a long rosary chain. With layering the opportunities are endless.

M&C What do you hope to accomplish as a jewelry designer?
Jennifer I hope to set an example for my 3 sons. I want them to know that “success” is when you do what you love. I truly believe that everyone has a gift and a talent. If they follow their passion success will come. I wanted to design jewelry because I love it. That’s it. I look forward to loving it for a long time!!

Tags: designer interview | Jennifer Zeuner

Do you have a fun printed summer dress? Though the summer’s winding down, that’s no reason to resist one last wear. If we had a chance to style Lauren Conrad on the “blue” carpet in her gorgeous turquoise and orange sequined number above, we’d pile on gold jewelry for a statement that’s both trendy and playful, which is what summer is all about.

We’re huge fans of Arena Copenhagen’s stunning gold earrings, like the Arena CPH Naima Gold Ring Earrings and the Arena CPH Barbie Gold Earrings. The Barbie drop earrings would looks smashing with the fun cocktail dress Lauren’s wearing, while the Naima small hoop earrings are understated and add a quiet elegant touch. Layering your necklaces is a fun way to create a one of a kind look for no two necklace combinations will ever look the same. We love the way the Calico Juno Figure Eight Necklace and the Gorjana Gold Cupid Necklace look together, and both of the necklace chains are the perfect lengths for the sweetest combination.

A chic fashionista like Lauren would of course indulge in the latest trends in one or two areas at most - the key to being a trendsetter is knowing which trends you want to embrace, and which ones you want to create. Lauren has been in on the handmade bracelet trend since last year, and we’d give her the Ettika Peace Coin Bracelet in either orange or gold, to match her dress. The turquoise and orange dress looks stunning against her sunkissed skin, so we’d play that up with a sunny colored Ettika bracelets. With over 100 Ettika styles to choose from in almost every color under the sun, there are a handful of perfect ones for you. The Jennifer Zeuner Hamsa White Wood Beaded Bracelet would be another amazing bracelet to go with. We love the way the soft white wood beads and the gold charm go together like they were meant to be, and the hearts and moons inside of the Hamsa charm are to die for - how many can you find?

No look is complete this season without a ring, or two, or four! Stackable rings are still in, and we love the texture and shape of the Gorjana Gold Square Stackable Rings. We’d add the Melinda Maria Hammered Ring to Lauren’s look for the cherry on top of the sundae; this elegant ring has gorgeous CZ accents that would make Lauren the darling of her next party.

Photo Courtesy of Instyle.com

Tags: Arena CPH | Calico Juno | celebrity | Ettika | Gorjana | Jennifer Zeuner | Lauren Conrad | look of the day | Melinda Maria

Feel the green with wooden jewelry. Whether you’re romping through the forest or shopping with friends, wooden accessories will look great with any outfit.

Get into the natural look with the Kenneth Jay Lane Exotic Wood Necklace. Worn with a casual outfit or summer dress, this necklace will look fun and fresh. With turquoise beads, it is much more lively than a plain wooden bead necklace.

Mix it up with wooden bangles. Try the Kenneth Jay Lane Wood Bangle with a flattering dress for a tropical look. While preparing for a picnic, slip on the Blu Exotic Wood Bangle and blend into your surroundings.

For a twist of wooden fun, try the Kenneth Jay Lane Black Wood Teardrop Earrings. In black or brown wood, these earrings are funky and fresh.

Instead of bangles, try a wooden bead bracelet as a smart accessory. Featuring a gold vermeil peace sign, the Jennifer Zeuner Peace Ebony Wood Beaded Bracelet is a great piece of wooden jewelry.

Tags: Blu | Jennifer Zeuner | Kenneth Jay Lane