JEWELRY: vintage african beads

Re-strung vintage African beads+Jussara Lee white shirt with handcut ruffles. Beads available at info@tamtranjewelry.com and shirt available at www.jussaralee.com.

STUFF: boots

I can't wait to wear my new olive green shearling clog boots from Sven's this fall!!!! I spent the whole last snowy winter in NYC wearing the black short pair from NO6/Sven's. Great looking and functional!!!

STUFF: bags

This gorgeous slouchy reversible tote bag is part of the new Tiffany's handbag collection designed by my friends, Richard Lambertson and John Truex. Tiffany's hosted a fabulous cocktail for the launch of their handbags boutique last week at the flagship in NYC. Beautiful leathers...gorgeous colors...clever details from the jewelry archive.....very nice!!!!

JEWELRY: scrimshaw pendants

I love ancient artisanal techniques and love to explore/study different ways to apply and incorporate these techniques in my work. I appreciate the rawness and naivete in these older techniques and the whole process of experimenting with different ways to make these oft forgotten skills relevant today is a continual obsession for me.
I discovered this scrimshaw artist's work in Bar Harbor, Maine and commissioned him to scrimshaw these designs for pendants. The simplest way to describe scrimshaw is that it is a little bit like tattooing, where the artist deposits many drops of ink to create a larger image. Scrimshaw is an ancient marine art that sailors used to practice during their long voyages at sea using whale bones or horn. I use a fossilized coral as the base material, this is not an endangered product and is readily available in the Pacific Northwest. These pendants are reversible to an oxidized blackened silver with a drop of 24k gold, prices start at $295 with different chain options available, please email for more information, info@tamtranjewelry.com

FILM: red opening 10/15/10

My super cool friend Susan Lyall gave me this from the upcoming feature film RED. Collaborating with Susan has been an amazing experience since the needs are so varied and it's fun to collaborate and come up with something visual for a character that only exists on paper. I think we work well together since we both have a mutual respect and admire each other's work and experience. This summer, I was in the audience when Susan was honored and recognized for her body of work as a costume designer by the WOMEN IN FILM organization, the award was presented to her by none other than Jodie Foster.

STUFF: bags

I bought this great bag from SEABAGS in Portland Maine 3 years ago. It's a great small workshop on a pier with a tiny retail space in front. Everything is made out of recycled sails and they use local labor to make the bags. Beware of knockoffs, each seabag is unique and has hand finished rope handles. Support a great business model, an authentic recycled product made locally. www.seabags.com.

NEW WORK: moonstone bib necklace + fleece sweatshirt

moonstone + dark patinated silver bib necklace + grey fleece sweatshirt (this one by T alexander wang)
I usually carry some fun jewelry to accessorize my outfits since I like to go out straight from my studio. An interesting piece of jewelry/scarf/etc will instantly add sparkle to a tee shirt/sweatshirt/sweater.
This bib necklace is available with different gemstones(turquoise/
labradorites/quartz) and in oxidized silver and gold vermeil, please email me for more images and availability. Why save any beautiful accessory for a "special occasion"??? Many of my clients that have purchased this piece and wear it everyday with their "work outfits". If you love it, wear it as much as possible and style your looks around it!!!! www.tamtranjewelry.com

STUFF: eyeglasses

Today we have so many options to consume more stuff, I try to make my $$$ count and buy with a purpose/conscience/good intentions. Recently I stopped by and tried on frames at the brand new showroom of Warby Parker near Union Square NYC.
www.warbyparker.com/exceptionaly cool frames/suitable for every man/woman of all ages/try-ons virtually on their site/affordable/
every pair sold = a pair donated to charity.

recycled colorful rubber bracelets from Mali

wear all or share with friends,
http://madewithloveinbrazil.com/africa/spreadthelovetoafrica.html

string things

Available at Claudja Bicahlo/Mark Wilson's sweet new boutique Lazypoint in Amagansett. Wear one or wear them layered. Aquamarines, southwest turquoise, and pearls.