Designer Marla Johnson is an artist and metalist.
BY ALLISON RAE MARSH
The diamond being a girl’s best friend thing never shined for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good shiny object just like the next girl. But a diamond shines on anyone, which tends to make it more about the diamond than the girl. For me, a piece of jewelry has to be quite special and truly represent me when I am wearing it. I like a jewelry piece that reflects my personality and makes a statement about me, and that isn’t always about how far I dipped into my pocketbook or how big the rock it got me.
It just so happens that one girlfriend who shined quite bright early in my life and remained a forever treasure also created my all-time favorite jewelry line: Marla Johnson Jewelry.
By using recycled metals such as sterling silver, copper and gold, Marla creates each design by casting, carving, and hand forging each piece.
Marla is an artist and metalsmith. By using recycled metals such as sterling silver, copper and gold, Marla creates each design by casting, carving, and hand forging each and every piece. Adding to their uniqueness, Marla augments those metals with semi-precious gemstones, beads, antique glass and my favorite, an occasional found object. Inspired by her favorite works of art, literature, and her travels, Marla gives her jewelry a secular, worn and inspirational look and feel.
The bohemian-chicness of Marla's designs is what makes her line of jewelry so versatile.
What I like best about Marla’s line of jewelry is the bohemian-chicness that makes her designs so versatile. I love that you can throw on an old white t-shirt with your favorite cozy old jeans, and then throw on a Marla Johnson necklace laced with beautiful gemstones. It’s like a vintage “found piece” to hang around your neck. Then suddenly you look better then a diamond in the rough. And your piece is one of a kind – like no other.
You can wear that very same piece to a black tie event, as my client, Casting Director Jeanie Bacharach, recently did for her “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC) Emmy nomination. The day of the event she wore a custom designed asymmetrical 36″ long necklace made of antiqued sterling silver and organic shaped freshwater pearls, wrapped around her neck twice, with jeans and a t-shirt. That same evening, she looked stunning in her floor length black satin and organza gown and the same necklace worn long, and complimented by dangling pearl earrings made to match.
Find pieces of jewelry to wear that inspire you and are unique to your style. Look for designs that make you feel good and that you can wear with your old and new favorites in your wardrobe. There’s always a time and place for a diamond – say, a coronation or a third marriage to Richard Burton. But let the piece help define the treasure that is you, not be the definition itself.
Go to www.MarlaJohnsonJewelry.com to find yourself a unique and beautiful treasure. Prices range from $35 -$300.
Allison Rae Marsh is a Studio City based fashion/ wardrobe stylist with an eclectic celebrity clientele. She is available for style consultations or personal shopping. She can be contacted at allisonrae@mac.com
About Karen Young
