About
Howdy!
About Rachel, Bling Slinger:
I have a soft spot for huge rings and super long earrings, despite my man hands and short neck. I attach too much sentimental value to jewellery and clothing cause I just can’t help my belief in their power as modern day armour.
I am happiest when I am using my hands to make a thing of beauty. So when stress triggered a chronic illness at the age of 18, my priorities became crystal clear. I knew creating satisfied my soul and strived to acquire the skills to live from my art. I left the city for the country. I left my meds behind.
I am a snob – I love noble and natural materials; precious metals, stones, ceramic, glass, seeds, wood & pearls. I’m a fanatic promoter of local and ethical products and production, to the point of being ranty and preachy (you can still read old posts on my old blog, Things That Go Bling, here.)
When I’m not running Brazen, I collaboratively create a line of home decor with my man. It’s all made from salvaged wood and precious metals – It’s called Blisscraft&Brazen and you can check it out here and buy our products here! We also have a blog, where we recount our adventures as city folk learning to be country mice.
I believe all we can do is aim to be our highest self, as much as we can. And forgive ourselves when we occasionally fail to do so.
About Brazen Design:
Brazen Design was launched in 2007, with the gracious help of YES Montreal and Montreal Mayor’s Youth Entrepreneurship award.
Brazen Design is a line of sterling silver jewelry that is big, bold and… well, brazen. Power bling for your soul. So you can be your most brazen self.
Pieces are often cast from a real budding branch, opening seed or fallen acorn. Occasionally a seed, a hunk of turquoise or an opalescent pearl will make its way into the collection.
The Brazen Design studio is nestled among the lakes and mountains of the Quebec Laurentians, the heart of Mother Nature herself.
Brazen Design bling is made of solid sterling silver, and designed to be handed down from generation to generation.
I hope you like. Actually, I hope you love.
Nice things people are saying about Brazen Design
Sometimes Fancy Feb 1, 2012
Urban Expressions.ca January 23, 2012
Artotate Jan 2, 2012
Girlfriday Dec 14, 2011
Nollie.tv Nov 18, 2011
Sometimes Fancy Sept 13, 2011
Vitamin Daily Nov 30, 2010
Roasted Montreal Nov 4, 2010
Lake Jane Nov 2, 2010
Tam+Sam March 24, 2010
Une Parisienne a Montreal Jan 26, 2010
Montreal Fashion Biz Vie.com Jan 21, 2010
Fashion Magazine.com Dec 2, 2009
Confection Art Blog Dec 1, 2009
Kristen O’Reilly Aug 3, 2009
Green or Cheap.com July 2, 2009
mtl3p Sept 19, 2007
Givin’ Back: Philanthropy at Brazen Design.
Brazen Design has happily contributed to many philanthropical pursuits, donating items to auctions that raised money for my favourite social causes or running workshops on entrepreneurship with disadvantaged youth.
I sit on the board of directors for Apathy is Boring, and some of my other past & current commitments include:
Dining for Social Change, Montreal Birth Champions.
Trafalgar School Bursary Fund and Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal
Haiti Disaster Relief Tweetup in Montreal
Haiti Disaster Relief Art Auction
YES Montreal fundraiser “Tune Into Yes”
CJE’s Glambition: workshops for young women in Montreal
Carrefour jeunesse-emploi du Sud-Ouest et à Verdun workshops at Venture High School