The Secret Side of Angela M.

 Angela at home in her studio, well equipped for the job

You may have met Angela at the shop as she helped you pick out the perfect item, and then chirpily wrapped it up. But you might not know that the pretty pink-haired Momo Girl (now a five-year veteran!) is our resident jeweler and hidden talent behind two of our favorite lines: Flora and Fawn and Little Teal.
 
Angela (or A1 as we like to call her) began her foray into jewelry making in 2006. Upon completing a metalsmith class at a local college, she invested in a kiln and launched Flora and Fawn, setting out to create a collection of happy-making, brightly colored enamel adornments. She appreciated the technical and methodical process by which she could consistently produce her fun, affordable earrings and necklaces.

 

The beginnings of a cheery enamel accessory

The magic kiln that heats up to 2,500 degrees

A finished Flora and Fawn necklace

In 2016, adversity struck with the unexpected loss of her sister. Her world shaken, for months she sat numb at her workbench. One day while poking around her studio, she rediscovered a cache of natural stones, many of which she collected as a child in her Southern Oregon home. Picking through the random assortment of gems sparked a long-smothered ember. “It felt like Christmas!” she recalls, and so inspired, she created Little Teal.

A teal is a small, freshwater duck

Slowly, her passion rekindled as she experimented with the smooth, soothing stones. At first, she applied the same prescribed planning as she used with enameling. But things never worked out as intended, “The universe conspired against me,” Angela says. Instead, the individual stones dictated design, often leading to happy accidents. “If I let go of control, it makes sense … and ultimately, I’m more pleased with the results.”

Ring or necklace? The stone sets the tone

Each piece is meticulously hand made, start to finish

She’s careful not to fracture the stone

Entirely different than Flora and Fawn, Little Teal is all about elegant, one-of-a-kind pieces, as no two stones are alike and designs are difficult to replicate. Angela loves the distinctive personalities of individual stones and lusts after obscure varieties like Peanut Obsidian and Victoria Stone. Her selections are all natural, no lab grown varieties for this rock hound.

So many unpredictable shapes, colors and sizes, oh my!

Angela’s favorite finds are from a lapidary near where she grew up. For years she drove by the rustic shop situated on the highway linking the Redwoods and Oregon Coast, assuming it to be a tourist trap. While home for her sister’s memorial, she stopped in to check it out only to confirm that it was indeed stocked with crystals, beads and fossils for the hobbyist, and layered with a fine film of rock dust.

But then the owner asked her what she was looking for, ushered her to the back room, and presented her with velvet-lined trays of beautiful, hand-cut-and-polished stones. “It was like finding a dragon’s hoard of gems!” smiles Angela. She learned that Marc and his wife, Gabby often come upon possibilities while hiking through the woods, and many of their offerings are found only in their area. Their store has since shuttered, and the couple now only sell online to avid fans that snatch up the rock rarities as quickly as they’re listed. 

An Oregon river: possible source of A1’s hydrogrossular garnets

Although her new love is found in nature, Angela once again enjoys the systematic task of enameling, balanced with the spontaneity of stone setting. Luckily, both Flora and Fawn and Little Teal are available at Momo, with A1 on hand to enlighten us as to their individual delights. 

“I’m sure that I would not be doing the work that I’m doing today if something catastrophic had not happened,” she says thoughtfully “It was the only thing that made me feel alive.” Through creating beauty, Angela found peace and joy. Thankfully, she shares her wisdom with Momo.

Spring Into Color

“I like light, color, luminosity. I like things full of color and vibrant.” ~Oscar de la Renta

Spring has officially arrived. The weather is warming, flowers are emerging, color is blooming. It’s time to trade in our winter greys and blacks for some cheerful hues. Spring clothing is arriving daily at Momo, including these bright happy pieces:

Raffi clothing is a family business led by Raffi Shaya, who is attributed with having an “almost clairvoyant ability to forecast color.” We won’t argue! We are loving out newest pure linen shirts, available in a playful pink and a delicious summery blue.

100% linen Raffi shirts in pink and cornflower blue.

Brand new and fresh from Hawaii: Pitacus by Lisa Wiemken. Lisa’s clothing is made in Hawaii from vibrant Japanese textiles. What always thrills us? Dresses with pockets! Pitacus’ oversized patch pockets add a measure of practicality belied by the playful fabric.

Pitacus top with amazing pocket.

Pitacus tunic, made from Japanese fabrics.

A gentle way to ease into spring color (we know it can be a shock to the system after six months of drizzle and monochrome) is to accessorize with a pop of color! I. Ronni Kappos masterfully combines her treasure trove of vintage German glass components into happy bright jewelry. Momo has a brand new batch of her creations, the perfect greeting for spring.

Whimsical, happy color: vintage German glass by jeweler I. Ronni Kappos.

Mobile Dressing Room: Built with Feathrr

Awhile ago I.D. neighbor Kenny popped into Momo to share his idea for an app, ‘Feathrr,’ a virtual dressing room where shoppers could ‘try on’ outfits on their mobile devices — like playing with a paper doll. Yeah, yeah, I thought to myself, another social media chore. Kenny continued to bounce in with reports on incremental progress, asking if he could photograph our inventory, blah blah blah. I would nod and wave, busy with a customer or rearranging merchandise.

Then one day he showed me the images he and his partner, Julie, took of all our Momo clothing. Nice job! And then he showed me how it all came together — what fun! Now I’m a Feathrr fan, and I’m here to share.

>> Go to momoseattle.com
>> Click on ‘A Closer Look at This Outfit’
>> Swipe away! The app totals the cost of the entire outfit, too
>> No e-commerce as of yet, so if you’re truly keen on an item, click on More Actions and email Momo, we’re here for you
>> Cute shoes courtesy of Clementine Shoes in Pioneer Square, give them a call if you see anything you crave: 206.935.9400

If you’re interested in learning more about Feathrr, check out their website: http://www.feathrr.com/#

Happy shopping!

Inscrutable Eric Silva

Eric Silva defines the enigmatic artist. A dark-eyed man of few and softly spoken words, he reveals little of himself in conversation. This much he shared when last we met: he grew up in Southern California where his grandfather, a Mexican craftsman, taught him how to use his hands.

This much I know: in all my years of buying jewelry for Momo, Eric Silva remains one the most intriguing artists in the US. His work contrasts rustic with refined, the primitive with the pretty. 

Aside from sun-bleached bone, shed antler, and bits of wood, Eric reclaims sterling silver and brass, mixing it all up with rough-cut semi-precious stones. A master of movement, his pieces are minute, wearable sculptures.

In his Artist Statement, Eric ruminates, “My jewelry is about self-examination; revealing pieces of myself through artistic creations. I draw my inspiration from the often overlooked simplicity of beauty found in the ordinary.” Indeed, a case of action speaking louder than words.

Sterling Silver Seals of Approval

What do you get when a passion for antique wax seals collides with a love of metalsmithing? History and symbolism expressed in beautifully crafted jewelry. We are delighted to introduce brand-new-for-Momo jewelry: Plum & Posey.

After spending a decade exploring Europe and its plentiful street markets, fairs and antique shops, Canadian Adrinna Hardy developed an abiding appreciation for Georgian and Victorian era wax seals. She also found herself with a huge collection of them — over a thousand, in fact. In a brilliant move, Adrinna melded her fervor for stamps with her skills as a silversmith and birthed her distinctive jewelry.

Per Ardua Ad Alta: “Through Difficulties to the Heights.”

Each piece “celebrates the exceptional craftsmanship of the past and the deep and complex meanings of the seals,” says the artist of her creations, “while incorporating themes such as hope, courage, strength and inspiration.”

As for us, we love the intimate expressions, each unique in shape and suitable for a man or woman. Cast in pure silver and suspended from an antiqued sterling rolo chain, these intricate pendants are a lovely way to express a personal inner theme — yours or a lucky recipient’s!

Made from a 19th century French wax seal,
the peacock symbolizes beauty, knowledge and power. 

Vous En Avez la Clef: “You Have the Key.”

Father’s Day Wishes to the Men of Momo

As I look into the face of my father embracing my sister and me, I realize (now that I am well past his age in this photo) that he was so very young. And, that as he taught us, he too was learning how to be the man he would become. Thank you, Daddy, for making life seem easy.

And mahalo to all our Momo fathers, as well. We appreciate when you come ’round to buy your favorite person a thoughtful gift, ask for an opinion on a shirt for yourself, or just sit patiently in the ‘man chair’ at the window. Enjoy your day, you deserve it.

 

Loads o’ Japanese tees have arrived just in time for Dad’s Day. At left, Mr. Momo models the Nagomi, a take on kimono styling in the ease of slub cotton jersey (we added the tenugui scarf). Available in khaki/deep teal piping, black/grey piping or deep teal/grey piping; $60. At right, a hefty cotton serving of sushi, only a few left, but other designs are available; $32.

Have a drink with dad, stirred up by Murray, Seattle’s favorite mixologist. Lucky us, he is guest bartending at Kaname, just two doors up on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the next few months. Find out why he’s fondly referred to as ‘the bartender’s bartender.’ Cheers!

Bring Me the Sunset in a Cup

Beer Mug

Emily Dickinson said, “Bring me the sunset in a cup,” at Momo we say, bring me a beer in a Bowl Maker! If anything can make drinking more fun, it’s the cups of The Bowl Maker of Bellingham.
Bring me the sunset in a cup
Reckon the morning’s flagons up
And say how many Dew,
Tell me how far the morning leaps—
Tell me what time the weaver sleeps
Who spun the breadth of blue!

Tumbler

Artist Cary Lane lives just a Bolt Bus away from Seattle and spends her time creating poetic pottery while she raises her kids. We think she’s super sweet, too.
Write me how many notes there be
In the new Robin’s ecstasy
Among astonished boughs—
How many trips the Tortoise makes—
How many cups the Bee partakes,
The Debauchee of Dews!

Wine Glass

There’s a size to fit any hand and thirst, and a lucky beast to please any animal lover. What’s your totem animal?
Also, who laid the Rainbow’s piers,
Also, who leads the docile spheres
By withes of supple blue?
Whose fingers string the stalactite—
Who counts the wampum of the night
To see that none is due?

Shot Glass

Her sturdy cups are dishwasher safe, although we always advise hand washing. Prices range from $9.50 to $18.
Who built this little Alban House
And shut the windows down so close
My spirit cannot see?
Who’ll let me out some gala day
With implements to fly away,
Passing Pomposity?
- Emily Dickinson

Into the Blue

At the Vegas shows, modeling Saint James! Tom in the “Minquier” jersey shirt in Marine/Ecru while Lei Ann is lovely in the classic cotton knit “Luneray” dress.

Last summer, Mr. Momo and Momo Mama went to Vegas, braving the heat and the crowds to put together a fantastic Spring 2015 collection for you. What is the trend for men this spring? Indigo, marine, navy, midnight and of course blue! Add a dash of grey and charcoal, focus on micro-patterns and florals, emphasize comfort and fit and you have a recipe for the perfect au courant Spring wardrobe.

Here is a teaser for what our gentlemen can look for in the coming days, as modeled by our very own Tom.

From Copenhagen, designer Bruun Stengade’s
“Sydney” jacket.

An“Alternative” to blue, by UK’s Bench
with a hood that zips into the collar.

WRK “Lowell” in a soft grey plaid.

NYC’s WRK “Tarik” cotton henley.

New to Momo: Z.A.K. short-sleeved shirt
in a lush navy floral print.