Etsy Love: Justina Leigh by Monique Lopez

I was first introduced to Etsy shop Justina Leigh back in September courtesy of two of my favorite bloggers: A Brit Greek and grit and glamour.  Within days of each other, both women featured the talented designer behind the etsy shop – Monique Lopez – on their sites and raved about her jewelry line, personal style and artistic/design talents.

Meet Monique - how cute is she? (image via My Glamourology)

I was hooked on her designs as soon as I saw these bracelets:

The Samson Stackables (image via grit and glamour via My Glamourology)

When describing her jewelry line, Monique states that “[it] consists of avant-garde looks inspired by the gritty and hipster nature of her residing neighborhood, while still keeping in line with her glitzy-glam personality.  The line is for the girl who is constantly reinventing herself.  She’s one part tomboy, one part hipster, one part girly girl, but 100% glamorous.”

In the Samson Stackables she takes deceptively simple chains, weaves them together, adds the charms of your choice, and creates a unique piece of jewelry that is glamorous and “rockstar chic” at the same time.

My favorite piece (initially) was the striking Monte bracelet she is wearing here:

Monique wearing her Monte bracelet (image via My Glamourology)

I love the simple woven chains.  It manages to look delicate and fierce at the same time.  How unlikely of a combination is that?!  I thought this was the bracelet I wanted…

…. until I saw this:

Image of the then unnamed Monte-inspired bracelet (image via A Brit Greek)

It’s the Monte, but fiercer.  With this bracelet, Monique took her most popular design and added leather to the mix.  Do you want to feel like a rockstar?  Wear this.  As soon as I saw this beauty, I knew I had to have it.

Where do I buy it?  When is it available?  I was on Monique’s personal blog in no time at all trying to learn more about this bracelet.  Then it happened.  In a wonderful twist of fate, what started out as me simply wanting a new bauble turned into me learning even more about Monique.  She gives you a glimpse into her life through her blog, and it is simply a joy to read.  For starters, she’s fun, stylish, mega- talented (she’s a fashion and jewelry designer!), and has killer taste in shoes!

Great style and personality! (image via My Glamourology)

I love these boots... very very much. Love. Very much. (Image via My Glamourology)

Regardless of whether or not her jewelry designs are your style, I would encourage you to check out her blog when you have a chance.  You can find a little bit of everything, including fun DIYs like the winter headband in the first photo above!

Now, back to the bracelet I was coveting.  Monique ended up naming this piece the “Aiden” and made it available through her Etsy shop in October.  It was in my shopping cart and delivered to my waiting hands before I knew it.

This is mine - please excuse my big arm!

She added some cute little charms, including a “B” and a little pearl, to give it just a hint of girlishness, but the overall effect is pure rockstar.  I love it and get compliments on it every time I wear it.

A different view of mine...

If you are looking for a special gift for that fashion lover in your life – or one for yourself – be sure to check out Justina Leigh.   She has some fabulous designs, including all of the pieces mentioned above, available for purchase.

If that isn’t incentive enough to check her designs out for yourself, half of the proceeds from her new HOPE crystal handwoven bracelets go towards charity!

a gift that gives (image via My Glamourology)

Pink – Breast Cancer
Olive – American Lung Association
Purple – The Humane Society
Yellow – International Rescue Committee

So what do you think of Monique’s designs?  Fierce, no?

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Check out Justina Leigh here or here.

Check out Monique’s personal blog, My Glamourology.

Follow her on Bloglovin’ here or Twitter here.