nina kuna designs: spring 2009

look at the gorgeous new looks straight from the maui studio of nina kuna designs. nina found inspiration down by the sea and the ocean finds were the perfect partner for the designer's recent exploration of casting jewelry by hand. the result is a new direction for springtime turning what initially appears to be a humble find from mother nature into delicate sterling silver translations of limu fronds, skeleton shells, and other little bits left behind in the sand.

your best bet to scoop up the new designs is over in the online shop, however nkd's spring offerings should be arriving in stores soon.

p.s. remember the lyrical paisley necklace nina generously bestowed upon a lucky h|h reader last year? take a peek at the elegant exuberance of the design when it has been professionally styled - so pretty!

and the lucky winner is . . .

double bubble + blue pool

lei of kaneohe who will be turning heads around the windward side in her dramatic nina kuna paisley necklace.

congratulations, lei!

thank you to everyone who entered! it's such a treat to read your notes and i am thrilled so many people enjoy reading h|h every day. a little consolation can be found over in nina's online shop which is filled with pages of gorgeous new designs (shown above).

{mahalo nina!}

nina kuna designs giveaway

if your finances were rocked by the stock market's big plunge yesterday, a little bright spot courtesy of maui designer nina kuna who is hosting a giveaway of her stunning paisley necklace (retail: $165) exclusively for h|h readers this week! nina's gorgeous design features 14k gold hammered by hand to create a bold yet lyrical shape sure to turn heads.

please review the updated rules before sending in your entry:

• email your name & current hometown by thu, oct 2nd at 11:59p hst
• one entry per email/household
• previous winners are not eligible

p.s. email subscribers - simply click reply and follow the above instructions to enter. please put nkd giveaway in the subject.

good luck!

{update: winner list posted}

nina kuna designs

the lovely nina kuna recently dropped me a note about her new jewelry collection, and, after a peek, i was pleasantly surprised to discover that the self-taught designer only launched her line last winter.

originally based in nyc and sf, nina now calls maui home where, in between assignments as a freelance photographer, she composes her glamorous line of adornments featuring hand hammered shapes, interlinking strands of gold filled wire, and an array of findings from swarovski crystals to delicate sea shells.

nina's background in painting and drawing combined with her stint at parsons to study photography definitely brings an artist's eye to her designs which effortlessly balance color, shape and symmetry. the freshman collection has already caught the attention of macy's buyers and the editors of modern luxury hawai'i who have been captivated by the line's big city sophistication meets beach chic style.

lemon drop * heavy metal * crystal blue coral

the online shop is now open for business or stop by your neighborhood stockist to take a peek at the collection in person.

p.s. go on location with nina over at her blog.