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September 8, 2013

Help for Our Angels

In just under a week from today, Katya Valera jewelry gets to take part in a very special event.


The Roanoke Strollathon for Rett Syndrome Research is to be held Saturday, September 14 in Roanoke, Virginia. This yearly event is dedicated to raising funds toward cutting-edge research with the goal being a cure for this devastating neurodevelopmental disorder.

Children with Rett Syndrome typically begin developing normally after birth and then development regresses, often a few months into life and affecting girls much more often than boys. Here is a description of the syndrome that I've found extra helpful and easy to understand, written by the mother of a child with Rett Syndrome; please take a second to read it here.

These children, or Rett Angels, as they are often lovingly called, are in essence trapped in their own bodies, with their words and feelings unable to be expressed in the ways of other children their age, as they often cannot talk, walk, feed themselves, or control their movements. Yet these Angels have their own way of communicating, particularly with their eyes, and capture the hearts of everyone they come in contact with, a phenomenon anyone who knows one of these Angels can attest to.

My beautiful cousin Isabella was diagnosed about 10 years ago, and she is the giver of so much joy in our family. We are all so thankful for the Angel we have been blessed with.


Every cent donated to Rett Syndrome research brings these children closer to help, and a cure. If you have even a couple of dollars you would like to contribute to this cause, you can donate here, or on my aunt's page here. :)

Another exciting way you can contribute is by bidding in person at the silent auction at the Strollathon, where you'll have tons of awesome items to choose from, including these one-of-a-kind items by Katya Valera!

These long cluster earrings are composed of various purple beads with silver accents dangling from gunmetal kidney hooks:


And assorted beads in Virginia Tech shades make up this clustered bib necklace on double strands of silver tone chain:


I'm so thankful to be supporting Rett Syndrome research with my jewelry! Please share this info with friends, and thank you so much in advance for any help you can offer!



September 5, 2013

The Seasonal Collections: Starfish to Poinsettias

In addition to the four year-round collections, Katya Valera has three seasonal collections to cover special times of year.

The Mermaid Collection features beachy pieces perfect for summer:


Shells, mother of pearl, and sea creatures are plentiful in this collection.


The Symphony Collection celebrates the colors of fall:


Leaves and beads in autumn hues make up these one-of-a-kind pieces.


And the Fireside Collection covers winter, from Christmas through the end of the season:


Lots of red and green, poinsettias, and more...


Of course, the pieces in the Journey Collection, the Veranda Collection, the Juicy Collection, and the Cordelia Collection are perfect for any time of year, including summer, fall, and winter.

But the pieces of the Mermaid Collection, the Symphony Collection, and the Fireside Collection are equally perfect for their special time of year!




August 24, 2013

Made Just for You!

As I mentioned in my last post, even though my Etsy shop is currently empty, I've really been cranking out lots of new pieces  (see them here). And lots of custom orders!


Several times people have given me a bracelet or necklace of theirs to remake differently or upcycle into a completely different piece for them, and it's so much fun!


This bracelet was once two strechy bracelets that were too tight. Now it's a cuff bracelet the perfect length!


With beads left over for earrings!


The beads on this necklace once made up a thin stretchy bracelet. Now a one-of-a-kind, dainty necklace!


And this necklace is one of my favorite pieces I've made. I love how just white beads from simple, unwanted stretchy bracelets could be linked and braided into such a gorgeous focal point! And the customer loved it too. :)


Do you have beads you'd like used in a piece, or a piece of jewelry you want upcycled into something completely different? Feel free to message me on Facebook or Etsy to discuss a custom order!


August 18, 2013

Just a Few Dozen Brand-Spankin' New Pieces!

You may have noticed that my Etsy shop is currently empty... :( But that doesn't mean I'm out of items by any means! I'm currently in the midst of party season so am holding off on listing items until there's a break from parties long enough to do so.

But in the meantime, I'm still cranking out pieces--somewhere near 100 since we moved and I finally got all my supplies unpacked and settled in.


So for now, all the pieces up for sale are available for your viewing and shopping pleasure on my Katya Valera Facebook page here.


While you're there, under my photo albums, you'll find all the Available Bracelets, Available Earrings, and Available Necklaces, complete with prices. Pretty self-explanatory. :) You'll also find Matilda's Favorites, which contains my my antique mannequin Matilda's past and present personal favorites, and Only One Ever, a collection of the pieces that I absolutely do not have the supplies to duplicate--so act fast!


You'll also see the Custom Orders album and the Found Their Happy Homes album, which is all the pieces that have sold in 2013. I just love all my pieces so much I have to have an album for the ones that have left me...


So take a look! If you see a piece already sold that you love, or would like something made similarly, feel free to message me on Facebook or on Etsy, and we'll talk! And if you see a piece for sale that you would like to buy, just let me know, and I'll happily list it just for you on Etsy!


August 9, 2013

The Cordelia Collection: An Extra Touch of Elegance


Yet one more collection at Katya Valera has its own distinct qualities: the Cordelia Collection.



While the Journey Collection and the Juicy Collection cover everyday wear, the Cordelia Collection offers pieces perfect for evening and formal wear and special occasions. 



The contents of the collection are always changing, but every piece is ready to give you that added touch of elegance.


Which one do you love?