I first met Tina Daniel at a quirky little shopping extravaganza in the middle of last winter at The Modern Vintage Holiday Market. A friend had told me about the event which premiered in Chicago December 15th and 16th at the old Tower Records space at 2301 N. Clark Street. (More info on the summer holiday markets and the woman behind it all). The event was actually geared toward last-minute holiday shoppers like myself, and I figured a one-stop shopping spree might just be my answer to a smooth holiday shopping season. Everything from a wall of vintage Hollywood posters to an entire corner full of glass antiques and old Persian rugs could be found at the event.
Unfortunately, with two sisters and a handfull of friends whose tastes run anywhere from Bebe to Balenciaga, my luck (and time) seemed doomed as I wandered through the grand space of antique collectibles. I sat down, feeling slightly defeated and ordered a cup of calming chamomile tea at Ellenelle, a new catering company that specializes in small private events like afternoon tea parties at clients' homes. I knew I hadn't seen the entire space, but I was just about to leave when I overheard a couple of women talking about some gorgeous jewelry finds they had discovered at a booth in the back.
My curiosity sufficiently piqued, I quietly meandered over to a beautiful display of delicate jewelry set up at a very unassuming booth in a corner. Tina Daniel, sole designer and creator of the line, sat quietly eating sushi take-out behind her dazzling pieces. A particular necklace caught my eye immdiately. Comprised of large pieces of smoky quartz stone hung from 3 layers of nickel chain, it was both rough around the edges but elegant and definitely not like anything I had ever seen before. There was something sort of whimsical and feminine about it but somehow, simultaneously, assymetrical, bold and unexpected. In fact, this described all of the pieces in the ConstanTina collection--the multiple and sometimes opposing pesonalities of each piece was where the true beauty was to be found.
While most artistic geniuses find inspiration in their own multiple personalities, Tina Daniel finds inspiration in music. She began playing the piano at the age of five and was propelled into local celebrity status during her teen years after winning and placing in several national and state piano competitions. This love of music and the performing arts, nurtured from such a young age, inspired the jewelry pieces like the Aria, Solo, Crescendo and Symphony.
The whole design and production process for Daniel, in fact, is a very personal one. She hand-picks each stone from tradeshows, other jewelry artists and various suppliers. "I look for anything unusual, all-natural, and semi-precious." Everything in the line is completely handmade and because of that, each piece whether a copy of an original design or a new one is unique from the last. Tina likes to customize pieces for her clients.
In my mind, ConstanTina Jewels was quite literally the diamond in the rough at the Market.
More about her musical inspiration
More about the jewelry itself and the types of stones, etc.
Tina wasn't always doing this but has always been an artist in one way or another...(background as a writer)...we're just glad she started making her jewelry. which is wearable, fresh, sophisticated, and sultry.
Tina is no stranger to trunk shows and shopping events like the Modern Holiday Vintage Market. In January, the ConstanTina collection was showcased at the Beta Boutique sample sale, a new but growing concept in Chicago and was also at the Pinnacle Condominiums first jewelry party in March. Daniel's line can also be found at the posh Roue Boutique in the hip shopping Short North District in Columbus, Ohio.
For now, it's ok...but soon, we all hope there is a boutique all on her own!
For more information on the ConstanTina Collection, please click here
