Artfully Elegant — Handmade Jewelry & Handcrafted Gifts

If you are on the search for a one of a kind engagement or wedding band for a man or a woman, you might want to consider Wanderlust by Wes Airgood. The delicate and hand make look isn’t just for a visual effect, but each piece is indeed made individually.

Owner Wes Airgood recognized early on that there was a high demand for more personalized jewelry pieces in such a mass-produced market. Wes’s designs are just that, one of a kind from start to finish. He uses no wax or castings, meaning each piece is handcrafted throughout the entire process, with inspirations coming from sources like ice covered mountain summits. They make quite the statement!

“As a craftsman, I enjoy examining antique pieces to see the hand of the maker, their decisions, the identity of their imperfections, and the care and skill that one person invested in a precious statement for another.”

Wes’s background in jewelry and design includes a BFA from Miami University and an MFA from the University of Georgia with a concentration in metalwork and jewelry design. He also studied overseas in Prague and Cortona, and then worked for varying jewelry designers and metalworkers. He now resides in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife Heather who is also his business partner, and their daughter Olivia.

Find beautiful rings for men and women from Wanderlust by Wes Airgood at Artfully Elegant!

Is springtime your favorite? Is the thought of growing flowers, birds chirping, and lush greenery something that makes your heart soar? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Here at Artfully Elegant, we bring springtime to a whole new level with fun items that give a little extra boost to your favorite season! Here are five of our favorites!

Shake & Bloom

Customize the visitors in your yard by adorning it with beautiful plants that attract a specific type of wildlife! Choose from a hummingbird or butterfly variety, or pick the cut flower kind to have a constant selection of beautiful blooms to bring into your home!

Get it here!

Caterpillar Bud Vase

Display your beautiful fresh cut flowers that you’ve grown in your yard with this beautiful bud vase! It’s delicate and dainty, but it can stand up to the strong colors of even the brightest bloom. Use crystal clear water, or add a few drops of food coloring to make that H2O pop!

Get it here!

‘My Garden Forever’ Necklace

Bring your love of your yard and garden with you wherever you go with the sweet necklace. This sweet little bauble will have an extra sentimental meaning due to its emphasis on friendship.

Get it here!

Grow Like a Weed Growth Chart

Start your children early on loving the outdoors by incorporating this stylish and practical wall art that doubles as a growth chart. Not only will you be able to accurately keep track of how fast your little critter will be growing up, but you’ll also have a delightfully cute outdoor theme to cheerfully highlight the event!

Get it here!

Babiators

You might already have the perfect shades to wear while you’re spending time outside, but what about your mini-adventurer too? With these awesome sunglasses for kids, available in a variety of sizes, he or she will be able to hit the playground in style!  

Get it here!

So stop and check out Artfully Elegant to add a little extra kick to you and your family’s spring time routine! Not only will you be making amazing memories, but you’ll be instilling a love of nature for the next generation that will continue to grow their whole life!

feature image source

Tags: products, spring

Founded by Lisa Lowe, Oré Originals has a bright and colorful history. Lisa grew up in a loving family surrounded by creativity and function, so the concept of colors, prints, and patterns was part of everyday life for her. So, with a focus on useful products with a fun and creative edge, Oré Originals was started in her small Southern California garage in 1989, and it grew from there!

Founder Lisa Lowe as a child (left) and as a thriving business owner (right)

Now Oré has grown into a dedicated team that works hard together and makes things happen! They are always on the hunt for new functional product ideas that will put a smile on your face. Due to these facts, Oré Originals considers itself a design-driven company as unique as the items that it makes. So it’s no surprise that the products in their collection are sweet, quirky, and always comes in handy for the task it was made for.

The team at Oré Originals

Beyond creative aspects, Oré Originals takes pride in their products from start to finish assuring that customers have a quality item that always arrives in perfect condition. Since they are based in California, they are heavily involved in many charitable events and causes throughout the communities of Southern California, and even donate products, give directly, and assist in charity benefits.

The company is community oriented, helping out local Southern California charities and organizations.

So the next time you’re in Artfully Elegant, check out our amazing fun collection of Oré Original products like the Cuppa Mugs. Not only will you sip your coffee or tea in one of the most adorable pieces in your cupboard, but you’ll be supporting an amazing company whose products we couldn’t be more proud to carry.

A fun selection of Cuppa Cups at Artfully Elegant

All Oré Original photos courtesy of oreoriginals.com

Tags: artist spotlight, ore originals

When one thinks of fine jewelry, precious metals and stones typically come to mind. Platinum, gold, diamonds, silver, and other glittering colorful stones that mirror every color of the rainbow quickly materialize in our imaginations. While these are indeed amazing materials used in most jewelry, there are other materials that are just as incredible that emit a strong, powerful, and masculine vibe.

Chris Ploof Designs, located in Massachusetts, works with other quality materials to create amazing pieces. Everything from stainless steel damascus to mokume gane, which is a traditional Japanese method of mixing metals to replicate a wood grain pattern. From these materials, Chris and his team make amazing quality jewelry that will last for ages.

Damascus Ring made of Stainless Steel

One unique material his team also works with is meteorite. The galactic rock that has potentially traveled light years in space and thrust onto our planet can be crafted into amazing pieces of jewelry for any occasion. Chris’s meteorite pieces are exclusively made from the Gibeon Meteorite in Namibia, a meteorite that is estimated to have landed on the planet 30,000 years ago and is estimated to be about four billion years old.

However, not all pieces of the meteorite are all usable due to varying metal content, elemental wear, and natural imperfections. Chris’s team takes it a step further and for every piece that is suitable for jewelry, Chris Ploof Designs rejects an average of 20 for every one that they choose.
From there, the ancient material is combined with platinum, gold or mokume gane to form an extremely strong and durable ring. The Gibeon meteorite also contains nickel so it’s naturally stain and rust resistant.

Gibeon Meteorite Ring with Gold Lining

According to their website: “Each ring begins with Chris in the design process, and every single item he designs also passes a review by our skilled artisans. As a team, we make sure that, in addition to being beautiful, the design will stand the test of time.”

So if you or a loved one are looking for a beautiful piece of jewelry, head on over to Artfully Elegant or www.artfullyelegant.com, we’re the only official carrier of Chris Ploof Designs in the entire state of Pennsylvania. Not only do we carry an amazing selection, but we can help you get a custom piece that is just right for you! See more designs here!

Damascus Wood Grain Ring made of Stainless Steel

Tags: artist spotlight, chris ploof

If you’ve been in Artfully Elegant, you’ve probably seen the nifty vintage cigarette machine tucked neatly near our checkout desk. This delightful piece of mechanics is referred to as an Art-o-mat, and instead of cigarettes, it vends one-of-a-kind mini art! 

Click Here for the Art-o-mat at Artfully Elegant! 

The particular Art-o-mat at Artfully Elegant is one of over 120 unique Art-o-mats that can be found at locations all throughout the country.

The original was created by artist Clark Whittington when a friend heard cellophane being crinkled and then had an uncontrollable urge for a snack. It was a Pavlovian response to hearing the candy wrapper being crinkled.

So in June of 1997, the first Art-o-mart was created using a recently banned cigarette machine. The piece, along with a number of full sized art from the artist, was displayed at a local cafe in Winston-Salem N.C., and contained small black and white photos mounted on blocks.

Although the piece was only to stay displayed for a few months, the owner of the cafe loved it so much, that she asked that it stay. Due to the length of stay, Whittington needed other artists to contribute to it’s contents. Local artists were asked to contribute to it’s tiny art, and the Art-o-mat that exists today, full of different artists and artistic styles, was born!

Each Art-o-mat is beautiful and distinctly different, however, the goal has always been the same. That ”art should be progressive, yet personal and approachable.“

So the next time you’re in downtown Bethlehem, stop in and check out the Art-o-mat! Not only is it a true re imagination of a vintage piece of history, but you can score some pretty amazing art too!

All photos courtesy of Art-o-mat’s Facebook Page

Tags: art o mat

If you’ve ever checked out the wares here at Artfully Elegant, you’ve probably noticed the perky little pieces of pottery spattered with inspirational quotes and sayings. These little art pieces are more than just cute and inspiring, the artists behind them make each piece with a purpose.

Zpots, handcrafted in the Zpots Studio in Vermont, are individually made by husband and wife artists Eric Hendrick and Noelle Van Hendrick.

Each piece starts with a chocolate clay body and is hand thrown before being treated with a variety of techniques to give each one it’s distinct and one-of-a-kind look. Noelle then incorporates her own poetry into each piece, and hand writes her words onto each one.

When fired in the electric kiln, which is powered by Vermont Cow Power by electricity generated from surrounding farmlands, the studio keeps a renewable future in mind. “We make choices within our production and daily lives to benefit the mission of living in harmony with our planet.”


The colors used represent the elements of water, earth, and forest, and stay the same throughout each piece, while the lines are more varied and sporadic.

Eric and Noelle look at each piece as an individual that’s part of a whole collection, a family so to speak, making each one both individualized yet related in it’s method of creation and overall look.

While Zpots are available at galleries and boutiques across the country, each one is as unique and personally individual as the person who chooses to display one. Check out Artfully Elegant and choose the Zpot that speaks to you.

Tags: artist spotlight, zpots

Did you know that some say leap year is the one time a woman can propose to a man?

You don’t remember that marginally okay movie from 2010 where Amy Adams decides that she’s going to travel to Dublin and propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day, because, according to Irish tradition, a man who is proposed to on leap day must accept it, or face some sort of penalty?

Well, the tradition is thought to date back to the 5th century, when, legend has it, an Irish nun called St Bridget complained to St Patrick that women had to wait too long for their suitors to propose. source

Well, if you didn’t and you were looking for an excuse to pop the question, we have you covered.

Artfully Elegant is offering selected Chris Ploof rings at 20% off through Monday, February 29. Simply head to this link and use the code LeapDay at checkout.

Now is the time, ladies. Besides, he probably doesn’t need some ancient Irish curse to make him say yes. Good luck!

Tags: chris ploof, leap day, proposal, wedding

It’s no secret that Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is one of the prettiest cities that we know of. And, of course, we have a bit of a bias since our brick and mortar location is right on Main Street in “The Christmas City.”

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we wanted to take a look at some of our favorite romantic spots in the city we call home. Also, don’t be shy, last minute Valentine’s Day shopping is nothing to be ashamed of. Come in and we’ll help you out.

Now, onto some romantic spots!

Payrow Plaza (Behind the Bethlehem Public Library)

Payrow Plaza has a unique view of the Fahy Bridge leading toward the southside which makes it a wonderful spot to spend some time and watch the evening go by. The plaza area is also home to a garden in the summer, a Unicorn statue (for real) and a Japanese garden.

All of those are great spots to pop the question! Hint, hint.

The Hoover Mason Trestle

Hoover Mason Trestle exploration at the old Bethlehem Steel Corp. complex. It was neat seeing some interpretive displays that used images from our collections at the #MoravianArchives. The Bethlehem Christkindlmarkt was nice, too! #christkindlmarkt #bethlehemsteel #igbethlehem

A photo posted by Tom McCullough (@t0mmy2times) on Dec 5, 2015 at 4:13pm PST

The Hoover Mason Trestle only opened last year and it’s already standing as one of the most breathtaking locations in the Lehigh Valley. There has already been at least one wedding on the structure, which allows visitors to walk along the former Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces while also learning about the history of the company.

it’s also probably a great place to pop the question. Hint. Hint.

Sand Island

Dayventures on lock today☺️ damn I needed all that fresh air, cold feet and good company. #bethlehem #lehighvalley #love #snow #woosah #igbethlehem

A photo posted by Amy B (@burnns_) on Jan 27, 2016 at 2:59pm PST

It’s a bit cold to be down near the Lehigh River this weekend, however, this little spot on Sand Island Park is not only perfect for pictures year-round, but it’s also a great spot to ask your special someone for their hand in marriage.

Hint. Hint.

Sun Inn Courtyard

A photo posted by @the_real_matt_k on Jul 26, 2015 at 2:09pm PDT

There’s something about taking a walk through history. The Sun Inn is one of the oldest inns in the United States and is open for self-guided tours on the weekends. It’s also a great place to get married after you get down on one knee and, well, you know…

Sitting Outside at Tapas on Main

musikfest with meem♡

A photo posted by @brinnautumn on Aug 10, 2015 at 3:23pm PDT

A stroll through little ol’ Bethlehem with my fiancé ? #560days

A photo posted by Alexandra Vidal Pérez (@alevidalperez) on Jan 2, 2016 at 5:16pm PST

There’s just something about eating al fresco in downtown Bethlehem that brings out the romance. One of our favorite spots to dine outside is at Tapas on Main at the corner of Main and Wall streets. Their sangria is delicious and the constant swirl of people walking by into the evening hours makes it a great place for conversation.

Oh, and it’s a great place to maybe ask someone to marry you. Hint. Hint.

Historic Hotel Bethlehem

Stunning Couple! #wedding #hotelbethlehem #downtownbethlehem #bride #blizzard2016 #china #historichotelsofamerica #lehighuniversity

A photo posted by Kathy Sanders (@kathy8265) on Jan 26, 2016 at 5:29pm PST

There aren’t many more romantic locations than Historic Hotel Bethlehem (right next door to Artfully Elegant!)

Whether your getting married, out on a date, or just taking a stroll through the city, the hotel is one stop you need to make.

So, what did we miss? What are some of your favorite romantic spots in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?

Tags: list, romance

What better place to shop and experience Valentine’s Day than downtown Bethlehem? Use the #LoveinBethlehem hashtag during this season of love and share your own romantic experiences of Love in Bethlehem in the Christmas City.

Watch our short video to get you motivated to come in and visit us on Main Street, or convince your loved one that they may want to stop in on their own to pick up a little something special.

Tags: #loveinbethlehem, valentine's day, video

Jerry Rhodes, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a ceramic artist who creates unique wares through a variety of techniques. His work has been featured in galleries in Colorado, New Mexico, South Carolina, New York, and of course here in Pennsylvania.

Beyond that, his pieces belong in many private collections throughout the world.

Jerry has never had formal training, and he attributes it to his unique ways that he acquires his craft.

“I’m not limited by what I’m supposed to know, nor do I feel obligated to follow any well-established procedures,” he said.

By using both traditional and nontraditional methods, such as using horse hair or steel wool during the firing process, and by finishing some pieces with African Porcupine Quills, a dramatic, elegant, and one-of-a-kind piece is created. The artist does admit, “Sometimes the results are dramatically bad, but you’ll never see the bad ones!”

Rhodes has an Electrical Engineering degree from Penn State University, is a former Air Force officer, and currently serves as the Joint Staff Air and Missile Defense Liaison to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Seize your opportunity to own a piece from an amazing artist, exclusively in PA, at Artfully Elegant.

Tags: artist spotlight, jerry rhodes