WHAT? It's Christmastime already?

I cannot believe Thanksgiving has just passed and I haven't blogged since July. It has been an amazing summer for Knight&Hammer. We got international press in People StyleWatch for our Jewelry with a Conscience TM collection, were on the reality show, 'Say Yes to the Dress' with SuperMuse Kelly Dooley and our new www.KnightandHammerMUSE.com website launched, be it several months late, on September 9, 2011. I have also been incredibly busy creating new collections for you. Over the next few weeks I hope to share my creative journey with you in this blog. Until then please take advantage of our Black Friday, Small Business Saturday through Cyber Monday promotion and get yourself some well-deserved Knight&Hammer baubles! 

30% OFF EVERY ITEM & FREE USA SHIPPING*

I am so excited to participate this year in the madness that is Black Friday, Small Business Saturday & Cyber Monday with unprecedented Friends & Family pricing & free shipping throughout the United States. Please support small businesses this holiday season! Happy Shopping & Blessings of the Season!

A face-lift for a 200+ million years-old friend

We've given the George Collection a face & body lift by creating them in bronze gild in 18K Kelly Pink & Leah-Vail Yellow gold on beautiful 18" matte black enameled steel chain.  As a child my favorite bath time toy was a plastic Triceratops that I named George. So in his honor I have named this very whimsical and personal collection. I envision sons giving this collection to their mothers, so she can always remember the mud covered little boy with his fat finger's squeezing tight his pet dinosaur. 

OXYGEN-FILLED BUBBLES, BAUBLES & BODYROCK SPORT... by Kelly Dooley

Freshest Catch!

A few weeks ago, while doing my thang at a trunk show at Equinox Fitness at 74th Street and 2nd Avenue, I received a Facebook message from a good friend from undergrad at Boston University. It went something like this: "Hi Kelly, I know we haven't talked in a while, but I've been following BodyRock Sport, and love what you are up to. I am the marketing manager at The W New Orleans and we are having a fashion show in a couple weeks with oxygen-filled bubbles....I think BodyRock Sport would be perfect for this. What do you think?"


Without hesitation, I said, "That is e**ing awesome! Tell me the dates and I will be there." I quickly realized that this fashion show was sandwiched between a quick jaunt to Miami and a triathlon in Montauk, but with or without sleep, I would make this happen. And I did. 

Close-up of stunning Starfish earrings worn by model in the bubble 

As soon as I get off the phone, my creative juices were rapidly flowing, and I called Joseph Knight, the mastermind of Knight&Hammer, to ask him if he'd like to design the jewelry for the show. As soon as he answered the phone, I excitedly said, "Joseph, I am hosting a fashion show at The W New Orleans next week with two models in oxygen-filled bubbles in a pool. What Knight&Hammer should they wear?"

Kelly, Nona & Wilma

At first, the tone in his voice kind of freaked me out. Turns out he was speechless, as he was imagining two hot women dripping in BodyRock Sport and Knight&Hammer while inhabiting oxygen-filled bubbles. HOT, HOT, HOT!!! But I knew he would figure out something totally epic, which he did, as always. A couple hours later, he emailed me photos of a variety of sea shells, including star fish and sand dollars, all of which came in various sizes. And this is one of the many reasons that I love Joseph Knight so much. His creativity has no bounds.


When he delivered the fabulous shell accessories to me, I was thrilled about how beautiful they turned out to be--delicate yet bold, simple yet so fashion-forward.


After returning from Miami, I quickly repacked my bags, which were filled with BodyRock Sport, Knight&Hammer, and more BodyRock Sport. Then headed straight to the airport for my first-ever trip to New Orleans, which turned out to be an AMAZING experience. I mean, who needs Bourbon Street when you have BodyRockin babes in bubbles! 


The models were so different from anyone else we had hired for fashion shows, which I loved. They were both really edgy looking and wore the clothing well. Nona, who is pictured in the photo to the left wearing The Eternal Love Bra, is a burlesque dancer in New Orleans! Her back is covered in tattoos, and she was so passionate about BodyRock Sport and excited to inhabit the bubble. 

                  "I'd like to be the fisherman hauling in this catch," says Joseph Knight

Each look was completely unique, and they really rocked them with passion and energy that defines BodyRock Sport as a brand. The guests absolutely loved the product, and I was so honored to be able to host this event. We also had a pop-up shop, and surprise, surprise, The Sophie Bra from The Zip 'em Up Collection was the BIG HIT! The Erin Leggings from The Show 'em Who's Boss Collection were also a big seller. Both styles appeal to so many different types of women, which makes me so happy and fills my head with so many more ideas for cutting-edge activewear designs. Stay tuned for more awesomeness.... xoKELLY


For more check out: http://www.bodyrocksport.com/blog/oxygen-filled-bubbles-and-bodyrock-sport

Runway Ready with BodyRock Sport

"Seashells from the Seashore..."

I'm in my car driving to a client appointment and the phone rings. It is Kelly Dooley, the mastermind & creative force behind BodyRock Sport. "Joseph," she says breathlessly, "I am doing a runway show at the W Hotel in New Orleans next week, with models in oxygen filled bubbles in a pool, what Knight&Hammer should they wear?" 

You want Big, we got it!

WHAT? Once again this fashionista Goddess has caused me to almost drive off the road... Models, oxygen filled bubbles, New Orleans - race through me head. All I can reply is, "Okay Kelly let me figure it out," and get off the phone. 


Designing for a runway show is very different than designing jewelry for a woman's accessory arsenal. The jewelry needs to be inspired by the fashion designer you are collaborating with and bolder, so it can be seen by an audience. The last time I created a runway specific collection was for Boston-based, Daniela Corte. The Trenta Daniela collection was incredibly successful and was a melding of two of my collections, Le Mal Afrique & Trenta: http://knightandhammer.blogspot.com/2010/02/collaborating-with-daniela-corte.html  However, Dooley's models will be in oxygen bubbles, so this jewelry needs to be beyond epic.

Of course, during my client appointment all I can think about is hotties in tight formfitting BodyRock sports bras & what Knight&Hammer? Luckily, my client doesn't realize that I'm preoccupied with thoughts of New Orleans jazz and Mardi Gras beads. Then there in my client's library I see it! SHELLS, SEASHELLS line the bookcases and tabletops. I share with her the exciting news of working with Kelly. I start picking up shells and envisioning fantastic oversized earrings in shimmering silver and gold.  The client has collected these shells from the beach infront of her Hawaiian vacation home. She graciously offers me any of the shells to use. So gratefully for her generosity, I agree to make her a pair of the earrings she likes best. 

Ten minutes later, I am burning up my Blackberry sending Kelly pictures of sand dollars and starfish that will become the ultimate accessory to her incredible sports couture. The shells are light but bold, they will make the perfect foundation for gold and silver foiling while remaining comfortable to wear. Once again a Knight&Hammer BodyRock collaboration has proven fruitful, inspiring & a lot of fun! 

Silver Starfish

One-of-a-kind Starfish necklace

These Sand Dollars are now Silver Dollars!

Please contact us at info@KnightandHammer.com for purchase information.

Elephant Trumpet...

Lynchee holding the necklace/zipper pull created in her honor. Photo by Carol Stevenson

Lynchee, Dah, Mongkul, Deang Moo, Tawan. Baby Phil, Phu Khi, & Pumpui - no I am not talking in tongues! These are the names of some of the elephants under John Roberts care on the Golden Triangle, that Knight&Hammer has immortalized in jewelry.  

Baby Phil Ring, gold over bronze

I have loved & been in awe of Elephants my entire life.  As a child my faithful teddy, Jiggalee shared playtime with King Baber. I even inherited my Oma's childhood stuffy, a well worn and loved Asian Elephant farmer, missing an eye and one suspender button these days. So I guess some of my Ele-love is genetic. 


Four years ago watching a documentary about the orphaned elephants of Thailand I discovered, John Roberts, Director of Elephants & the charity, Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (www.helpingelephants.org). I was saddened to see elephants at the side of the road doing tricks for food. They are such soulful and special creatures. "The aims of the Foundation are to set up a safe haven for abused elephants or those that cannot work, to provide employment for good mahouts and allow them to continue working with elephants and to help ensure the survival of Thailand's wild herd."  The next day I contacted via email Mr. Roberts and asked if I could help GTAEF with a limited edition collection of jewelry where a potion of the sales benefit the charity. The GTAEF Collection is part of the Knight&Hammer Jewelry with a ConscienceTM initiative. An initiative to donate to not-for-profit organizations through financial donations and jewelry especially designed for their fundraising benefit.

Core of the GTAEF Collection created with Mey-Mey Lim

After two years of collaborated with artist Mey-Mey Lim (www.meymeylim.com), we created the four zipper pull/necklaces that are the core of the collection. They capture the grace, strength and elegance of these gentle giants. I have further collaborated with sculptor, Donna Dodson (donnadodsonartist.blogspot.com) to create a series of modern Elephant totem inspired baubles; loving nicknames by photographer Carol Stevenson (www.carolstevenson.com) as 'Flat Eles.'  My love of all things elephant has lead me to create a series of elephant and Ganesha jewelry to support GTAEF. 


The Golden Triangle Elephant Foundation Collection will premiere at a group show opening June 3rd at Ven & Vaida,  18 Third Street, Olde City, Philadelphia and run through the end of July 2011. The group show will included works by Carol Stevenson, Donna Dodson, Knight&Hammer, Mey-Mey Lim and the Elephant Bottle from Kiva Ford's Endangered Species series (www.kivaford.com).

'Flat Els' created with Donna Dodson

You can walk among these magnificent beings at the Golden Triangle's tented camps; www.fourseasons.com/goldentriangle and elephant-tails.anantara.com.

Hello 2011!

Wow what a crazy year 2010 was & I am glad it is gone!  It was a mad dash to the end of the year & left me no time to blog.  I have been super busy designing new pieces for Trenta, nine new Baroque crest rings & necklaces, which will be showcased at hitchcock Madrona, in honor of my March 5th. birthday.  You can also expect an entire new collection of Elephant inspired Baubles to premiere at the Ven &Vaida gallery in Philadelphia, June 2011.  Lynchee will have three of her Golden Triangle Asian Elephant friends to keep her company; Mongkul, Deang Moo & Dah! 


Get excited, 2011 promises to be a year filled with glamor, innovation & BIGGER LOVE! 


Twenty-eleven my mantra is Be FABULOUS, Do FABULOUS!