Custom work in the studio

Hey! 
Did you know we adore making custom pieces for our clients ? We'll work closely with you to create the most gorgeous, beloved one-of-a-kind ring, necklace, cuff, what-have-you that reflects the gorgeous, one-of-a-kind qualities of you, its wearer. And, obviously, we're not afraid to get our hands dirty. 

From start to finish -- a Tula Design ring in the making!

All our pieces are made in Los Angeles, using sustainable practices, as well as recycled metals and conflict-free gems. 


Give me a shout via email if you'd like to make something gorgeous for yourself. Or check out my etsy shop! 


xx ~ Marisa

Why It's Important to Recycle Gold

We strive to be mindful about our impact on the planet - making all of our jewelry locally, exclusively purchasing our stones from trustworthy, family-run sources (not to mention that all of our diamonds are conflict-free), and recycling our gold and silver whenever possible.

Why? Because of the horrific and life-threatening ways in which new gold is mined. Please take a minute and a half and watch the trailer to this film "The Money Stone." It's an educational glimpse into the gold-mining trade of Ghana, as it struggles to keep up with an oppressive international demand for new gold. 

http://www.moneystonefilm.com/

Here's a still from The Money Stone:

Happy clients

We LOVE hearing from our happy clients. Enormous thanks to Channa Nin Ja for these kind words about her custom Tula Jewelry ring (shown below)!

"it's GORGEOUS!!!! You are so great at what you do, and I can't wait to own more of your pieces. Thank you so much for working with me. saving up for your turquoise ring, and that geode necklace. top priority!"

 *I love making custom pieces, so if there's something you'd like to create that's all your own, possibly using old gold you already have, recycling it into something new and beautiful, I'm thrilled to make this creative journey with you. Email me! 

Shopping for gems in Arizona

For the past few days, we've been in Tucson, Arizona for the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, which happens to be one of the largest gem shows in the entire United States. You can only imagine the inspiration we're finding here! Diamonds, sapphires, minerals, metals, druzies, chains, and countless jewelry accoutrements from hundreds of dealers hailing from all over the globe. We're completely overwhelmed with the diverse and beautiful collections and can't wait to start creating new pieces back in my Los Angeles and Santa Barbara studios.

Yes, carats are good for your eyes.

Gems and gems and more gems and yours truly.

Three Top Picks:: A Vintage-Inspired Holiday

The energy and joy of the holidays is upon us and I trust you're all basking in the glow of early December's holiday spirit as much as I am!

With only a few weekends left before Christmas, no doubt your social calendar is growing increasingly full with parties and fetes and gatherings with loved ones to celebrate the season. And, of course, this requires a few new ensembles for every engagement, right?

While I will forever adore the little black dress for its simplicity and timelessness, sometimes a girl's got to mix it up and give homage to the greatness of the past and its classic, radiant style.

1 - Gold sequined vintage sheath dress with delicate inlay. The style is incredibly feminine and drapes beautifully, while the addition of the black collar lends an extra element of sophistication and refinement. This Burberry dress has a similarly glowing and gorgeous golden feel to it.

2 - A low-slung chignon is never, ever, ever flawless and gorgeous. Paired with the perfect red lip (I'd recommend MAC's Viva Glam 1 lipstick), you'll be the talk of the party.

3 - My Old Mine Cut diamond ring is the epitome of radiant, sparkling, vintage style! One of the earliest cuts used for engagement rings, Old Mine Cut diamonds were all cut individually by hand. While modern diamonds are cut with lasers to specific specifications in mass quantities, Old Mine Cuts are all truly unique and one-of-a-kind. These vintage diamonds are very rare and very difficult to find. This particular ring here is so original that it's already sold (as of today!) and no other quite like it currently exists. That said, I can keep my eyes open for another Old Mine Cut and create a new ring in the future.

Happy vintage-style holidays!
~ Marisa

Black Friday ONE DAY ONLY Sale

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm incredibly thankful for all of you! Without your support and love of Tula Design, I could not continue with this passion. I hope the one day sale in my shop can convey, at least in some small way, my gratitude for your keeping me inspired and galvanized.

Hope you're all spending today with loved ones, relaxing and laughing and enjoying the bounty of life. And tomorrow, go to Tula Jewelry's etsy site and use the code Blackfriday to save 20%! It's just one day only, so treat yourself.

Fall Favorites!

The Santa Ana winds have overtaken Southern California, and it's warmer than usual here for the middle of November. Nonetheless, the fall styles beckon me and I've put together another assemblage of beauties you might adore!

1 - I've long loved the envelope clutch, as it goes from day to night and carries all of the essentials (phone, lipgloss, business cards, car keys). This one here is the Eaton clutch from Madewell. I especially love the gold bar detail and the mix of black and brown leather.

2 - The black blazer never, ever, ever goes out of style. Perfect over jeans or a dress and, in Los Angeles in particular, fantastic over a little fitted tee shirt, paired with a loose scarf, as the evenings get chillier. The Reveur Blazer from Anthropologie is available in black and brown - I'd suggest buying both!

  
3 - The queen of incredible nail colors, OPI offers everything from azure blues to sparkling metallics. They're my go-to nail polish and their gel neutrals not only last for weeks and weeks, but they're beautiful and minimal and complement absolutely everything.

4 - Tula Design's Trillion cut diamond ring, shown in 14K yellow gold, is available as a custom ring in whatever you desire - rose, white, or yellow - and in any size you need. Because of its prong setting, it's easy to stack with other skinny, petite rings, but also looks pretty wonderful on its own!

Kind words and happy clients

I just received this lovely note from one of my clients, along with her gorgeous photos of the custom ring I designed for her. Thank you, Channa!  

She writes: "Thank you. This was my birthday present to myself, and I love all your original designs, as well as this custom job that you did for me. I hope to send many of my brides your way."

Happy clients always make me happy. 

Thank you for keeping me in love with and wholly inspired by what I do!

With the new season, comes new creations...

'Tis the season for gourds and diamonds! Autumn is officially here and while Southern California may currently be contending with some major Santa Ana winds and 80-degree days, I'm still very much inspired by the season, prepared for chilly evenings with a lush cashmere wrap, soft leather jacket, and a pair of pave diamond post earrings ...or short suede boots with a silk tunic, complemented by my new black diamond ring (shown here on a pumpkin stem)...or layers of long pendants, mixing a pave diamond bar with a single, simple bevel-set blue sapphire.

As I watch, from my Los Angeles studio, the new season beginning its changes, turning leaves, shorter days, longer nights,  my inspiration and creations organically change, as well. So stay tuned for new Tula pieces soon-to-be revealed in the coming weeks!

Hawaiian inspiration + relaxation

Every once in a while, you've got to get out of your daily ins and outs and find inspiration in a different time zone. Good for the head and the heart. I was recently in Maui, recharging, relaxing, reading, and finding inspiration in the centered calm of the aloha. New Tula Design pieces are destined to come of this recent trip, so stay tuned!

Relaxing on Kapalua Beach with my Tula black pearl bracelet.

One of my newest designs - the Tula Insignia ring. Available in rose gold (as shown), yellow gold, or white gold. Email me for details!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading in West Maui.

A happy Tula Design client shares her thoughts!

I'm delighted to share with you this blog post about Tula Design by lifestyle and fashion blogger Erika, who was looking for a ring to replace her wedding band. Here's the link.

This is what Erika has to say, among other things, about Tula Design: "The first thing that attracted me to her site was her amazing handmade and sustainable jewelry. Seriously, everything she makes is just beautiful." 

Thank you, Erika! So thrilled you love your new Tula band and are sharing it with the world.

The story of emeralds

I recently made this14K gold bezel set emerald ring, along with its matching 14K gold emerald eternity band.  Absolute beauties together and perfectly symbolic of an enduring love, are they not?

And, in case you didn't know, the Ancient Romans associated emeralds with Venus, the goddess of love, believing the stones embodied fertility and faith while the Ancient Greeks wore emeralds to honor Aphrodite, their own goddess of love, fertility, and beauty. Also said to restore peace, clear the mind, and enhance clairvoyance, emeralds were Cleopatra's favorite gem! Wear this beautiful stone (also the birthstone for May) with the knowledge it is more than simply gorgeous, it carries a great history and restorative, mystical properties.

Happy Labor Day weekend (+ a few custom pieces to share!)

I hope you're planning for a long weekend of relaxation and fun!

A newly married client of mine just sent me these photos of her custom Tula Design rings and I felt compelled to share them with you all, as the photos are so gorgeous. Enjoy!

And have a safe and wonderful weekend.

xx - Marisa