The Story Behind BonBon Jewelry Designer Micah Yancey
Micah Yancey is one of those super-hip ladies that has an obvious knack for designing, and her talent reveals itself in her totally awesome jewelry creations. LOLO Magazine sat down with the woman behind BonBon Jewelry last week to dish out the story behind her fabulous earrings and necklaces, her favorite Dallas coffee shop, and her style muse that you wouldn't quite expect (but it rocks!). Read on!What led you to start designing jewelry? I've loved creating and designing jewelry in a wide array of materials since I was in elementary school. I was the go-to girl for friendship bracelets as a kiddo and in college, I made beaded necklaces for friends' outfits when we were getting ready to go out. I always had a love for jewelry and jewelry making, and my passion became a full-time career in 2010.How do you choose your materials? It's important to me to design pieces with high quality and eye-catching materials that have a look of sophisticated trendiness while still remaining affordable. I seek out beautiful gemstones, paying close attention to cut, color, and clarity, that provide the color pop that I want. I know I've found the right gems when I literally gasp at the sight of them! I work with 14 karat gold fill and 24 karat gold overlay pieces, because these metals are a higher quality and do not change colors over time (or against the skin). I love the richness of gold pieces with fine lines and negative space to draw the eye to the amazing stones.
How do you decide on a color palette? I always watch the New York and Paris runway shows to take note of styles, necklines, and the color palettes that my favorite apparel designers are using in their collections. Because jewelry is an accessory to your clothes (most of the time), I like to take note of the trending apparel colors and then decide which of those colors I want to use, in addition to the hues I feel would best compliment the trending colors. I also consider which gemstones are the most popular in specific seasons year after year, making sure to incorporate the classic favorites into a new and fresh palette season after season. The color choices can also come from anything that has inspired me, and I really think that so much of the decision-making process comes down to a feeling I have about certain gemstones. I see a stone and whether it's in the palette or not, if it makes me gasp and I think I can use it, I'll incorporate it into my work, so that others may enjoy it, too!
What is your most popular design? My most popular design is the earring that definitely lives up to its name, "Number One Stunner". It's a 14 karat gold filled textured marquis shape with a heart cut gemstone dangling from it, and the gems are all completely luscious in color and cut. It's the perfect throw-on-and-go earring and it transitions extremely well from day to night.
A Personal Perspective
What is your favorite restaurant in Dallas? While I haven't been back in Dallas long, a favorite of mine has always been Hibiscus. I can't get enough of their mac and cheese! Coffee shop? Again, I haven't been in Dallas long, but a place that's really close to my studio that I've recently developed a love affair with is Coffee House Cafe. Their french pressed coffee is heavenly. Place to shop? My favorite place to shop in Dallas...I can't decide! I'd have to say it's a 3-way tie between Krimson & Klover on Cole, L. Bartlett in West Village, and Northpark Mall. I love the indie brands and pieces at the boutiques paired with pieces from H&M, for example.
Who is your style icon? My style icon is Leandra Medine, founder and editor of The Man Repeller. In addition to being intelligent, witty, and chock full of hilarity, she exudes style in so many new and fresh ways. What I love most about her style is that she dresses herself and others for style's sake without man pleasing, yet she's sexy (and she knows it).
To see the full BonBon Jewelry Collection, check out her website and visit her super fun blog to keep up with the scoop, such as photos of the Today Show's Ann Curry wearing her stunning jewels. And if you love what you see, join in on the Facebook hype and like her page!
Support Pink Month!
For every purchase of the Pink Sugar Blossoms style (shown above) or the Strawberries and Cream style, we will donate $25 to the Komen Foudation for a Cure! These styles can be purchased on the website. THANK YOU for helping us support breast cancer research!
