Welcome to the fourth day of Meylah’s Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway where a featured artist or crafter will be giving away a FREE GIFT to one of our lucky readers who has left a comment, so make sure you visit and comment each day!
On the fourth day of Christmas, Meylah is happy to introduce our dear friend, Christina Huarte of Benalily Designs. Christina pairs her passion for making stunning handmade jewelry with supporting a worthy cause, which is to fight blood cancers by supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Here’s your chance to get to know Christina, don’t forget to comment to win her beautiful earrings (grandma’s tablecloth earrings) featured below.
Meylah: Tell me about your shop’s name, Benalily Designs & where it came from.
Christina: Benalily is a combination of my two young kids' first names. They have an endless source of creativity and energy, and inspire me to keep coming up with new designs.
Meylah: How would you describe your jewelry and what materials do you use the most?
Christina: I love working with natural brass. It has a vintage, timeless look and won't tarnish. I especially like integrating natural brass filigree and semi-precious gemstones. Lately I have been also adding in a bit of ribbon because the additional texture brings in a soft touch. I am looking forward to bringing in more fabrics and recycled materials in the future to keep my designs fresh.
Meylah: Where do you draw inspiration for your designs?
Christina: I get ideas from everywhere, nature, other art, and especially architecture. When I was a child my parents traveled a lot through Europe with my sister and me. I grew up learning the style differences between baroque and byzantine art at an unusually young age. At the time I rolled my eyes a lot, but now art history is one of my favorite topics. I also like to keep up with a couple of fashion websites to get an early idea of the materials and colors that will be in season.
Meylah: A portion of all your sales (5%) benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, what inspired you to make this decision and what input would you give to artists and crafters wanting to involve a charity with their business?
Christina: I had a young cousin who died from Leukemia as a child. His wonderful doctor wrote a book about him and his experience of living and accepting a terminal disease as a child, entitled The Parting Gift. It inspired me to start running marathons to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and in doing so I also met other survivors and heard more stories. It completely changed my outlook and helped me to realize that every bit that we do for others who need it is worth doing.
Meylah: What sort of connections have you made with the local arts and craft community since opening your shop online?
Christina: Since starting Benalily Designs I have really taken an interest in supporting local businesses and other artists. I sell on Etsy and like to also buy business services from other Etsians. I am part of the EtsyRain Street Team and love the resource of their online community. I also enjoy perusing all the great craft blogs out there to get ongoing advice and ideas.
You can find Christina and Benalily Designs this weekend (December 11th-13th) at the Space to Create Holiday Studio Sale (1414 NW 70th Street, Seattle, WA 98117) in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle during the following hours:
- Friday, December 11th from 5-9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13 from 10am-4pm
To win grandma’s tablecloth earrings above, leave a comment for Christina and a winner will be randomly selected! Thank you so much Christina, best of luck this weekend!
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17 Comments
Christina – I checked out and hearted your beautiful shop! The Teardrop Blue Swarovski Crystal Earrings are my favorite! Cancer is such an insidious disease. I too donate a portion of my proceeds to the AMC through Etsy Project Embrace. I’m praying for many sales so that we can do our part to support cancer research!
I love that you make art while supporting a worthy cause.
Your jewelry is as beautiful as your heart.
What lovely creations. It is also so nice to see when an crafter gives back.
Christina I am touched by your generosity. What a great way to help people who really really need help. World is a better place because of great people like you. I enjoyed reading your story.
These are really pretty, even I don’t win some to give away I’ll see if anyone wants to add it to their gift list http://gift.ly
i think its wonderful that you donate to such worthy causes. having many people in my life affected by cancer it touches my heart even more to be findign otu abotu this around christmas time when families are to be together. sometimes we forget those that cant be there… as far as your artwork keep up the wonderful wonderful job… its truly breathtaking that you can find it in your heart to give as you do… you are truly one of a kind!!!
Not only are these some beautiful creations, I love the fact that part of your earnings are donated to a chirty – that shows such care and thought for others that it makes the art your create even more special. Thanks for chasring Christina :)
Thank you for sharing your story Christina…we are all inspired!
Christina – your jewelry designs are beautiful, delicate, and unique. I was touched by your commitment to raising awareness and money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Wishing you much success with Benalily Designs.
I loved reading more about your story. How did I not know all this?
Your designs are lovely!
Beauty, charity, creativity, utility – all in one little unique treasure .. can be the source of simple pleasure.. that no one can ever measure…
Cheers!
lovely pieces! eye-catching but modestly understated, with structure and movement—we all need just a little sparkle sometimes!
This jewelry is just my style. Thanks for a chance at the giveaway.
her pieces remind me of the beach! love it!
Really lovely & unique designs! I will be keeping my eye out for more of them!