Guest Blogger Fridays: DeAnna Cochran Jewelry and The Thoughtful Gallery

DeAnna is one of my greatest friends and confidants. I asked her to do a blog regarding jewelry that gives back and I think it's appropriate for the thoughtful bride and groom. Here's her guest blog...I hope you enjoy it.

- Percy

When it comes to a wedding, there are so many things for the bride and groom to consider. They put their best creative foot forward to create the wedding experience of a lifetime. They consider the perfect venue, colors, flowers, invitations, and food. But sometimes those creative juices run dry when it comes to wedding party gifts.

Over the years, we have experienced our fill of engraved flasks, frames, photo albums, and key chains. While these gifts have the best of intentions...all too often they end up collecting dust on a shelf, tucked away in a drawer, or forever destined to stay in the box...much like the bridesmaid dress we vow we will wear again.

I personally remember the daunting task of choosing wedding party gifts for my own wedding. Shortly before my wedding my (then) fiancé and I took a pre-wedding trip to Como, Italy. As part of that trip we bought very individualized gifts for our wedding party. If a trip to an exotic location is not in your near future there are still great choices for the discerning bride and groom.

The newly launched DeAnna Cochran “boutique” collection is one of those perfect choices. Charitable? Yes. Green? Yes. Thoughtful and personalized? Absolutely. The new “boutique collection gives back to MEND.org (a worthy organization helping parents heal after the loss of a child) and better yet this collection is a way to further limit your footprint on the environment. Designs are hand formed and hand carved one at a time from a “green” high carat metal called metal clay. It is made of reclaimed from x-rays, film negatives, cell phones, computer components, and other recycled metal. The result is fine silver (.999 silver and the purest of silver) with options in 24k gold plate.

From cuff links, to necklaces and bracelets the I can work with the bride and groom personally to put together a special and personalized package perfect for the wedding party. Each piece comes in custom eco-friendly packaging made from natural and recycled materials. Included with each piece is an card regarding the charitable focus of the collection. This is “Jewelry for a Cause”. It is the gift that gives back in more ways that one.

DeAnna Cochran’s “gallery” collection has been recognized by fashion, television, & news publications including NBC, ABC, Lucky Magazine, OK! Magazine Australia , and ON Magazine as well as numerous online publications. Most recently it was awarded “Best in Show” at the Buyers Market of American Craft by Inspired Retailer Magazine (a trade magazine connecting gallery owners and artists focused on social and environmental causes). Her original “gallery” collection is found in prestigious galleries such as the Dallas Museum of Art Museum Store. The new “boutique” collection was launched in October 2008.

Check Out All The Fabulousness at:

DeAnna Cochran Jewelry Boutique Collection
or

DeAnna Cochran Jewelry Website

Photos from DeAnna Cochran Jewelry

1. Initial Necklace in Silver with Gem Stone

2. Initial Bracelet in Gold with Gem Stone

3. Initial Cuff Links in Silver