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A Wedding Band and More Recent Custom Work

While Talisman Fine Jewelry is mostly known as a seasonless collection of heirloom jewelry, some customers are surprised to learn that a large part of my business actually includes custom jewelry. Hence why I like to occasionally share my latest custom work with you all here.

Most recently, I had the honor or creating a custom 14k white gold men’s wedding band for Nick. Nick liked the subtle wabi-sabi nature of my work, but agreed that keeping the ring low-profile (in a literal sense) would be most comfortable for everyday wear. He also opted for a brushed finish, rather than the bright shine of a mirror polish. The result can be seen below. It is always such an honor to create commitment rings and wedding bands for customers… it’s something they’ll be wearing and cherishing for a lifetime, with so much meaning attached to it. As with all Talisman Fine Jewelry pieces, I imbue each creation with intention while crafting it, and take time to set the finished piece on my altar for blessing. This is especially important for commitment rings, for obvious reasons. So with Nick’s ring completed and a blessing for a happy, long-lasting union bestowed upon it, the ring is ready to ship out before his July nuptials! (Side note: custom jewelry can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to complete, depending on the piece, so always make sure you’ve allotted enough time when putting in your order, especially if you have a deadline to meet).

Custom 14k white gold wedding band for Nick

Another fun custom project that came across my desk was a request for two pendants to represent a client’s work. Specifically, Alexandra works in the women’s health field as a pelvic care practitioner, and she wanted to be able to wear her pendants daily to honor the important medicine that she performs. Working together on the design, we came up with the concept of the spiral - an ancient symbol found historically across many global cultures - as a representation of the womb and its creation process, and of the life cycle journey, including growth, death and rebirth, and a return always to the Great Mystery.

The spiral, a representation of creation, and the journey of life

The second pendant was a more literal request - a yoni. My version was ever-so-slightly abstracted, but generally pretty anatomically obvious, at Alexandra’s request. Not your typical custom order, but I was thrilled to oblige! Participating in destigmatizing the yoni in particular was something that excited me. Alexandra and I both felt, ‘To he** with people who are freaked out by the organ from which they came into the world!’ For this piece I also added a twisted bail detail, to subtly tie it in with its spiral counterpart. Check out the end result below.

Finished womb spiral and yoni pendants for Alexandra

If you’re looking to get engaged, need a commitment ring, or simply have an idea for a jewelry piece that you’d like to turn into a reality, I encourage you to reach out and start a conversation. The best way to contact me, as always, is email - vanessa@talismanfinejewelry.co

Special thanks to Nick and Maddi, as well as Alexandra, for trusting me with your special creations!

Talisman Studio Tour with Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

Vanessa Barcus of Talisman Fine Jewelry

Image by James Cromwell Holden

This fall I was honored to be asked by the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art to join them for an online studio tour. I love the ‘full circle’ aspect of getting involved in the Boulder community more, given that it’s my hometown! BMOCA’s Kiah Butcher - who is just a lovely human BTW - and I had a casual convo about my process, the space, how Talisman got started, and more. Since my blog doesn’t support video content, you can peep the full studio tour HERE.

The 2021 Gift Guide

Hard to believe, but the holidays are approaching quickly (cue the Home Alone-esque, hands-on-face scream)…

A quick PSA: Because many Talisman Fine Jewelry pieces are made-to-order (in an effort to create less waste as well as create pieces with custom intention for YOU), we kindly ask that holiday orders on items that are not noted as “in-stock and ready to ship” (written in the product description) be placed by November 15th in order to ensure they’ll arrive in time for Xmas. Not to worry though, if planning ahead isn’t your bag, we’ve also got an assortment of in-stock styles that can ship just in the nick of time too.

Confounded on what to get? We’ve put together this handy-dandy gift guide for all the lovelies in your life, for your assistance…

Our top picks for the high-fashion statement-maker, clockwise from left:  The Plane Earrings, Yin Yang Necklace, Sea Glass Necklaces, and Spiral Stud

Our top picks for the high-fashion statement-maker, clockwise from left: The Plane Earrings, Yin Yang Necklace, Sea Glass Necklaces, and Spiral Stud

For the lover of classics, our favorite timeless styles include, clockwise from left:  The Demeter Cigar Band, Rollo Band, Central Sun Earrings, Rollo Hoops (paired with the Peace Sign Stud), and Rose Cut Diamond Necklace

For the lover of classics, our favorite timeless styles include, clockwise from left: The Demeter Cigar Band, Rollo Band, Central Sun Earrings, Rollo Hoops (paired with the Peace Sign Stud), and Rose Cut Diamond Necklace

For the chic spiritualist, we love these styles, clockwise from left:  The Michael Amulet Necklace and Solomon’s Seal Necklace, the Sirius A Ring, Talisman Pouch Necklace, and the Protective Eye Stud

For the chic spiritualist, we love these styles, clockwise from left: The Michael Amulet Necklace and Solomon’s Seal Necklace, the Sirius A Ring, Talisman Pouch Necklace, and the Protective Eye Stud

Holiday Pop-Up Shop at Recital Boutique

Hip Denver boutique Recital (you may remember them formerly as Queen City General Store) is hosting a holiday pop-up shop of local makers that’s not to be missed! Join Talisman Fine Jewelry and friends Ida & Moon, Mecla, and Non-Porous Ceramics for this very special event. It’ll be the last chance to catch Talisman in-person before the holiday rush, so please save the date! I’m also told *on the hush, hush DL* that Dad Grass will be giving away CBD joints to shoppers, so be sure to get there early and score your gift with purchase ;)

Where > Recital Boutique - 1362 27th Street, Denver, CO 80205 (in the paved alleyway behind Denver Central Market)

When > Saturday, November 6th, 4-9pm

Who/Why > Recital is a destination for sought-after designer labels like Rachel Comey, Jesse Kamm, Batsheva and more. Owner Olivia Meininger and Manager Coco Correa have an eye for fashion-forward style, and have curated a group of swoon-worthy local makers (if we may say so) for this special holiday pop-up shop. Along with baubles by yours truly, shoppers can peruse the handmade leather handbags, accessories, and botanically-dyed apparel by Ida and Moon, dresses to suit the modern woman by Mecla, and highly-giftable ceramics by Non-Porous Ceramics.

Save the Date: Maker Mavens Collective Holiday Pop-Up Shop

Fall trunk show season has begun! If you’re local to the Denver area, come say hello and see me in person, along with my friends Andrea Li, Marie Margot Couture, and B. Shigley Designs for a group pop-up shop at Walker Fine Art on October 14th from 6-9pm. There’ll be bevvies and hors d’oeuvres, along with some very special, one-of-a-kind pieces that I’m making exclusively for our event (hint hint, some found sea glass from the Pacific Ocean has made its way into the collection - one man’s trash is another woman’s treasure, no?). Hope to see you there! For more event info and to RSVP, please visit this link.

Talisman Fine Jewelry at BMoCA's ARTMIX Auction

Talisman Fine Jewelry is giving back to the arts community where it all started: Join us for an auction benefiting the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, where you can bid on our pieces as well as works from 100s of artists. Opening reception is September 17th, so get your tickets now!

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Field Trip: Marfa

Marfa is somewhere I’ve longed to visit… I’d heard tales of the scene there: of glamping in Airstream trailers at El Cosmico and watching the stars explode against an unadulterated black sky, of glamorous parties in unexpected locales, with down-and-out ranchers mixing with the international art-world glitterati in this middle-of-nowhere junction. I was intrigued.

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Speaking to Intention and the Woo-Woo Side of Talisman

Recently it occurred to me that, despite putting a lot of time into intention and blessing with all of the pieces I make, I don’t actually talk about this part of my process a whole lot. I might be a fashion girl, but my woo-woo side is a big part of my existence too - and therefore a big part of Talisman.

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Save the Date: Summer Lounge + Shop

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Join Talisman, along with sustainably-minded fashion designers Mecla, Mimi Shim Studio, and florist Bloom & Noosh for a sun-drenched shopping soiree to kick off the summer season.  Guests can browse the latest SS21 wares in a joint trunk show, along with a complimentary cocktail lounge and snacks.  All in a convenient, socially-distanced, outdoor setting in the RiNo neighborhood of Denver.

Sunday, June 6th, 1 – 6pm

3051 Lawrence Street

*Masks required

Custom Work by Talisman

Making custom pieces for individuals is a process I delight in. While custom Amulet Necklaces, Talisman Pouch Necklaces, and wedding bands are some of the things I enjoy making most, I am open to all kinds of creative ideas. Read on to learn more about the work I do, and whether Talisman might be a fit for your personalized jewelry vision.

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Accessorizing for the Mecla x Mimi Shim Collab

Denver designers Mimi Shim Studio and Mecla have teamed up to make a dreamy wrap dress for Spring in sustainable tencel. Talisman joined in on the party to accessorize said dress in a recent photoshoot with Chiara Garland and Sangya.

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Talisman In the Press | 303 Magazine + Cherry Creek Fashion + Shoutout Colorado

This Fall Talisman Fine Jewelry was lucky enough to be featured in several of my favorite Colorado publications - 303 Magazine, Cherry Creek Fashion, and Shoutout Colorado. Read on for more and click the links to view the full articles.

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Quarantine | A Pandemic Story

Inspired by the seemingly endless carousel of anxiety, hopelessness and boredom of the pandemic, a creative collaboration with photographer Sara Ford and makeup artist Lillian Marsh was born

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Paint Mines Shoot with Mecla

A sneak peek at a collaborative photoshoot with Talisman and Mecla, a sustainable clothing brand started by an old friend

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