Michael Gaines knows jewelry. A geologist and jewelry industry veteran, Michael creates one-of-a-kind pieces – “as unique and individual as the woman wearing it,” he says in his mission statement – out of gemstones found in the US and purchased through Fair Trade abroad, sustainable silk and reclaimed wooden materials, and re-worked vintage pieces. His beautifully made pieces are classic enough to wear forever, but are also a gorgeous take on current movements in artisan jewelry.

Because of the process he uses in acquiring his materials and the care put into each piece, every necklace we feature by Michael A. Gaines Jewelry is one-of-a-kind or very limited edition, making any of these pieces a unique and special gift. Michael is interested, he says, in supplying an alternative to “homogeneity in fashion,” giving the women who wear his jewelry the great feeling that they’re wearing an item that no one else in the world will have, as well as the satisfaction of supporting an independent artisan whose focus is not only wearable art, but sustainability.

Handmade in the southern US, Michael’s jewelry-making process involves the use of renewable resources without toxic or environmentally hazardous chemicals. For example, unlike many jewelry artisans who use plastic-coated steel wire (which requires hazardous chemicals to produce), Michael uses hand-knotted silk to string his necklaces, and also will re-string your piece on the rare occasion that re-stringing is required.

We love working with independent artists who take such pride in their work, and who are as passionate as we are about natural materials and hand-made heirlooms. These items are something to treasure – some of our favorites here in the store include the mixed-metal chain necklace with coral, turquoise and 18th Century Ethiopian beads, and the bold statement necklace made from hand-carved reclaimed maple and walnut discs. Stop in to take a look, and pick your own favorite – after all, Mother’s Day is just around the corner!

We are crazy about this dress.

In our search this year for fashion-forward fall garments that align brilliantly with our sustainable, eco-friendly outlook, we struck gold with Feral Childe. The designers behind Feral Childe are Moriah Carlson and Alice Wu, who met as young artists in New York City, where the collection is manufactured. The two take inspiration from each other’s drawings and collages; using those, they turn 2-dimensional art into wearable pieces that proudly experiment with color and silhouette. The name, Moriah and Alice say, was given to their label because these clothes represent a woman who has some wildness to her, and knows her way through life’s jungles. But there’s an undeniable elegance to Feral Childe’s creations as well – a kind of savage beauty. All told, we are proud to be bringing some of the most unique, yet universally appealing clothes out there to Columbus this fall.

Though we’re offering several pieces from Feral Childe in the store (including a luxuriously soft long-sleeved embellished tee, in the richest Sienna Red color), my favorite piece is the cleverly reversible Gamma Shift dress, made from tie-dyed silk jersey and cozy organic gray cotton, from the label’s Fall/Winter collection titled The Lightning Fields. The silhouette of this sumptuous dress is simple and elegant, while the weight and softness of the two fabrics working together make it the hands-down most comfortable dress you’ll see at any holiday party. On one side, a neutral gray that goes perfectly with any leggings, boots or heels; on the other, a transcendent pattern full of rich green and blue hues that evoke the shimmer of light on water, the Milky Way, the night sky. When it comes to Feral Childe, we’re star struck.