Local designer Graciela Topal is fascinated by buttons and beads.
Her range, Trade With Grace, is a line of unique and playful jewellery made from buttons and beads, matching colours, textures and styles in unusual ways to create unique, eye-catching pieces.
“They are versatile, playful and fun to work with,” says Topal of her medium of choice.
“They are available in so many different shapes, sizes and colours and it’s possible to obtain a range of different effects just by playing around with them. And most importantly, they look great on anything.”
Graciela’s background is in the much-less-creative scientific realm, but she has always been strongly attracted to colours, shapes and textures and the emotions that they represent and translate.
“I learned to knit and crochet as a very young girl and always kept an interest in a broad range of crafts,” she says.
In between her day job as a technical writer, Graciela is always on the lookout for interesting bits and pieces to collect and anything of an interesting colour, pattern, shape or texture which she says ignite her creativity.
“I enjoy playing with both classic and unconventional forms – I like to experiment with different pieces together and all types of materials when creating my jewellery,” she says.
“My jewellery is designed to surprise and stand out. I design jewellery with passion to inspire happiness, playfulness and lightness.”
Trade With Grace includes original handmade rings and earrings and other jewellry, and Graciela counts her brooches as her most striking pieces.
“I don’t have one favourite, they are all made with passion and go well with whatever I wear. They are not extravagant pieces but make a unique, understated, eye-catching complement designed to set anyone apart from the crowd.”
Catch Trade With Grace at Fash ‘n’ Treasure on Saturday 13th August 10am – 4pm at Kingston Old Bus Depot Building.
