Find of the Month: Distinguished Designs
Happy Canada Day everybody! I hope you’re all kicking back, thinking about what makes our nation so great, and perusing the Canadian Gift Guide for the very best in gift ideas you can actually buy up here. In the spirit of the day, I’m pleased to introduce this month’s big ‘find’, a truly Canadian brand crafted by Nova Scotia girl Lindsay Anderson, Distinguished Designs.
This is one of those finds I truly did stumble upon while cruising on Etsy one day. I was looking for statement jewelry and one of Lindsay’s Distinguished Designs pieces caught my eye. I then opened up her shop and my jaw pretty much hit the floor – hello stunning gems and colours! I immediately got in touch with her to rave about how gorgeous her pieces were, and soon learned a bit more about this amazing brand.
Growing up in an artistic household, Lindsay found herself drawn to arts and crafts of all kinds. With a formal education in engineering, Lindsay has still kept in touch with her creative side (and an interest in taking things apart and putting them back together) by honing her skills into her signature piece: the friendship cuff. These aren’t your summer camp projects though – Lindsay handcrafts every individual bracelet, including weaving the thread using macrame knots or her loom, handpicking the crystals and mounting them, and sewing them onto the bracelets. The finished product can be worn its own or stacked high, like in the photo above, for a glam-meets-boho bit of arm candy.
Apart from knowing your piece is being made from start-to-finish by a single set of hands, you’ve also got the option of customizing your bracelet (or necklace!) to have a truly one-of-a-kind piece. In fact, a large portion of Distinguished Designs‘ sales come from admirers looking for specific stones or colour combinations, which Lindsay will happily make. There’s a good range of styles too – from the tribal-inspired ‘Loom Bracelet‘ shown above in a rainbow of variations, through to thin braceles ideal for stacking to chunkier cuffs that seriously pop when paired with your favourite casual playsuit or solid coloured maxi dress.
In terms of gifting possibilities, these are obviously a natural fit for your closest gal pals and family members as a modern day, luxurious update on the classic friendship bracelet. I adore the idea of them as a bridesmaid gift, and with prices starting from $55 (most are in the $110 range) they’re perfectly priced too. They’d also make swell birthday, Mother’s Day or anniversary options – especially since you can tailor them to suit a loved one’s birthstones, favourite colours, or an outfit they have planned for a special occasion.
For a brand with such a distinct style, you may be surprised to hear how young Distinguished Designs really is – the line has really just taken off in the last year, with hundreds of customers from across North America and Europe snapping up pretty Swarovski-accented bracelets for themselves. For now Etsy is the one and only place to pick up Distinguished Designs, but the line is starting to trickle into boutiques across the nation – so if you happen to spot a bracelet next time you’re shopping, well, you’ll already be ahead of the trends.
As part of the Canadian Gift Guide’s celebrations for Canada Day, Distinguished Designs will be offering up two custom-designed small friendship bracelets for one lucky winner (one for you, one for a friend perhaps?) or if you’ve already got your eyes on a particular prize, $200 to spend on any piece of your choice. Want to get glammed up this summer? Here’s how to enter:
1) Visit Distinguished Designs on Etsy, peruse the entire line, and tell me / leave a link to your favourite piece(s) in the collection. You’ve got till July 31, 2014 to share your picks!
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around August 1, 2014 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entries: Distinguished Designs is on Facebook. You can earn an extra entry by liking the page and leaving a comment on your favourite piece (FB). Leave a link back to your actual FB comment to earn your extra entry into the draw.
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It was so hard to pick a favourite because they are all gorgeous! After some time, I think I settled on this one… https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/191369431/friendship-bracelet-embroidered-with?ref=shop_home_active_1
FB comment… https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedesigns/posts/505749019526574
These are really cool bracelets!! I like this one:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/175058476/swarovski-embellished-ribbon-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_20
Thanks!
Very cool, I love the Double wrap friendship bracelet https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=listing-17
Liked them and left a comment https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedesigns/posts/505762762858533
I like the Tribal Bead Loom Bracelet https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/181934972/tribal-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=shop_home_active_19 and this one https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/177692064/tribal-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=shop_home_active_15 and this one https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/181945737/tribal-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=shop_home_active_3
Liked on FB and commented https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedesigns/posts/505725122862297?comment_id=505791659522310&offset=0&total_comments=1
These pieces are really gorgeous. I especially love the double wrap friendship bracelet
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_8
Visited Distinguished Designs on Etsy & my favourite pieces in the collection are her Double wrap friendship bracelet cuff embellished with swarovski crystal https://www.etsy.com/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=listing-2, Geometric bead loom bracelet https://www.etsy.com/listing/178742560/geometric-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=listing-18, Swarovski embellished snake print leather cuff https://www.etsy.com/listing/174709023/made-to-order-swarovski-embellished?ref=listing-23, Friendship bracelet embroidered with Swarovski elements https://www.etsy.com/listing/191361933/made-to-order-friendship-bracelet?ref=listing-13 and finally Pastel bead loom bracelet https://www.etsy.com/listing/177315215/pastel-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=listing-14. I know so many 😉
I like most of the bracelets a lot, but this would be my favourite. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/182074676/beaded-chevron-bracelet-bridal-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_19
Commented on their FB page. https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedesigns/posts/797807816905035
My favourite piece(s)are https://www.etsy.com/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_3
https://www.etsy.com/listing/176341352/swarovski-embellished-ribbon-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_24
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425024/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_4
I think this was my favourite. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176353469/made-to-order-swarovski-embellished?ref=shop_home_active_22 Orchid in colour with lots of bling1
I like the Svarovski Embellished Ribbon Bracelet:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176353469/made-to-order-swarovski-embellished?ref=listing-22
love this one! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/185988834/floral-bead-loom-friendship-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_17
The triple bead loom bracelet looks great. Thank you – https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/177692064/tribal-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=listing-6
I absolutely love this pastel bead loom bracelet. Just beautiful.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/177314307/made-to-order-pastel-bead-loom-bracelet?ref=listing-3
I like this double wrapped friendship bracelet: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=listing-3
My favorite is the Double wrap friendship bracelet cuff embellished with swarovski crystal – wrap bracelet, swarovski friendship cuff
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425024/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_4
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/178817045/tribal-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=shop_home_active_4
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/184166468/swarovski-embellished-bracelet-swarovski?ref=shop_home_active_2
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/161463682/swarovski-rhinestone-earrings-crystal?ref=listing-7
Love these earings!
I love the Double Wrap Friendship Bracelet. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_8.
i like this one: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176195646/made-to-order-swarovski-embellished?ref=shop_home_active_17
I love:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/191361494/friendship-bracelet-embroidered-with?ref=shop_home_active_2
and
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176341352/swarovski-embellished-ribbon-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_8
My FB comment: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=505722082862601&set=a.505721546195988.1073741835.266446246790187&type=1
WOW these are incredible!! Hard to pick a fave, but I would say this one – https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=listing-3
These look so great! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_3
sarah dot tennyson at gmail dot com
my favourite pieces in the collection are the Double wrap friendship bracelet cuff https://www.etsy.com/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=listing-2, its so colourful!
beautiful I really like this one https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/190137050/friendship-bracelet-embroidered-with?ref=shop_home_active_12
I like them on fb- name Louise gilbert
https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedesigns
Love the colourful gemstone bracelets
The double wrap friendship bracelet. All beautiful!
I love this!
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/177315215/pastel-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=listing-0
really gorgeous! I especially love the double wrap friendship bracelet
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_8
I particularly like this bracelet: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/169852761/sale-swarovski-friendship-bracelet?ref=listing-17
Here’s my fave. Very soothing colours.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/190144709/friendship-bracelet-embroidered-with?ref=listing-10
I like the https://www.etsy.com/listing/157240785/boho-earrings-tribal-earrings-aztec?ref=listing-0
i like the double wrapped friendship bracelet https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_3
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/174934702/swarovski-embellished-ribbon-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_12 so pretty
OMG, the https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/191369431/friendship-bracelet-embroidered-with?ref=shop_home_active_1 is stunning, splendid. 2 fingers snap, girlfriends. Great BD gift for my niece which I can’t afford. Thanks for the awesomeness, the contest, & generosity.
My faves are the Tribal Loom type bracelets, esp this one:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/178816401/tribal-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=listing-11
Also really like:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/182074676/beaded-chevron-bracelet-bridal-bracelet?ref=listing-18
Commented on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedesigns/posts/675650592502792
https://www.etsy.com/listing/170252447/sale-swarovski-friendship-bracelet?ref=listing-20
I love this:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/174116279/swarovski-rhinestone-earrings-crystal?ref=listing-7
It was easy for me to pick this piece: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425024/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_feat_4
Oh my God I can’t believe how beautiful this jewelry is and I can’t believe it’s all hand made . My favorite piece is:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/182077736/swarovski-embellished-ribbon-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_19.
This piece is a vintage inspired bracelet and it’s very fancy. They said it would be good for weddings and formal occasions but since I don’t have those occasions I guess it will have to go with my every day jeans. I’ll just pretend I’m at a formal event. My second favourite piece is:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176353469/made-to-order-swarovski-embellished?ref=shop_home_active_22.
I love the purple hues in the radiant orchid bracelet it’s just beautiful although all her designs are beautiful.
Facebook – liked the page and my comment https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedesigns/posts/507206712714138
There were 3 favourites, but this one was tops for me! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/174934702/swarovski-embellished-ribbon-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_24
I love this statement necklace https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/179084822/statement-necklace-rhinestone-bib?ref=shop_home_active_3
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/184166468/swarovski-embellished-bracelet-swarovski?ref=listing-10 I love the blues in this bracelet, it would go well with an outfit I have
I think my wife would love the Double Wrap Friendship Cuff. These are awesome.
love the tribal bead loom bracelet…I used to have a belt like that that I really loved!
forgot to post my link for the tribal bead loom bracelet that I love!! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/181330832/tribal-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=shop_home_active_18
Geometric bead loom bracelet, friendship bracelet, loom bracelet, tribal bracelet, ethnic bracelet, geometric bracelet, hippie bracelet is the one that I love the best – hard to decide, they are all so unique and beautiful!
All the pieces are beautiful but I especially like this one for the colours!https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176353469/made-to-order-swarovski-embellished?ref=shop_home_active_3
How is a person to choose which one is there favorite when they are all so gorgeous??? I do particularily love this one https://www.etsy.com/listing/190137050/friendship-bracelet-embroidered-with?ref=shop_home_active_17
I love this bracelet !! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425346/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_14
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/163827243/sale-swarovski-friendship-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_15
I like these two: https://www.etsy.com/listing/191361933/made-to-order-friendship-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_12 https://www.etsy.com/listing/181333550/swarovski-and-beaded-fringe-ribbon?ref=shop_home_active_11
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/177309305/friendship-bracelet-cuff-swarovski?ref=shop_home_feat_3
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/177314362/floral-pendant-necklace-radiant-orchid?ref=shop_home_active_3
I like this pendant
I like https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/181330832/tribal-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=shop_home_active_24
tribal bead loom bracelet
i esp. love this one https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/175058476/swarovski-embellished-ribbon-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_20
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/195421126/multiple-strand-beaded-bracelet-gypsy?ref=shop_home_active_4
Oh wow, they are beautiful. I really like this beautiful friendship bracelet https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/191369431/friendship-bracelet-embroidered-with?ref=shop_home_active_7
and the beaded tribal necklace is wonderful too.
Facebook comment https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedesigns/posts/1472983902944904
Extra Entry: My #1 beach essential is a big bottle of water and I would add the book, I love to read while at the beach
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/158710178/statement-necklace-painted-rhinestone?ref=shop_home_active_1 this necklace is amazing!
I would like the waterproof pouches, so good for a lot of things, not just my phone.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/184155854/swarovski-embellished-bracelet-swarovski?ref=shop_home_active_11
so pretty!!
My favourite is the beaded chevron bracelet. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/182074676/beaded-chevron-bracelet-bridal-bracelet?ref=listing-2
I really like this bracelet https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/184166468/swarovski-embellished-bracelet-swarovski?ref=shop_home_active_10 It is so summery and would go with everything.
This is the link back https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedesigns for the bracelet I liked.
Tough call – they are all lovely – but this one certainly caught my eye (and it looks like the artist is relatively local to me as well). https://www.etsy.com/listing/176353469/made-to-order-swarovski-embellished?ref=shop_home_active_6
I like this set of earrings https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/174116279/swarovski-rhinestone-earrings-crystal?ref=shop_home_active_5
This is my favourite: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176425024/double-wrap-friendship-bracelet-cuff?ref=shop_home_active_2&ga_search_query=double
fb psot: https://www.facebook.com/distinguishedesigns/posts/513330355435107
I love this Friendship Bracelet: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/190137050/made-to-order-friendship-bracelet?ref=listing-shop-header-0
Wow these are really lovely. I think my favourite is this one…https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/177315215/pastel-bead-loom-bracelet-friendship?ref=listing-16
these are very unique and different, I really like this friendship bracelet
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/191356424/friendship-bracelet-embroidered-with?ref=listing-7
Visited facebook and commented
I love this bracelet: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/184155854/swarovski-embellished-bracelet-swarovski?ref=shop_home_active_15
Gorgeous! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/191361933/made-to-order-friendship-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_19
Beautiful jewellery. So colourful. I personally like this bracelet. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/195421126/multiple-strand-beaded-bracelet-gypsy?ref=shop_home_active_24
I really love this beautiful Gypsy Bracelet! https://www.etsy.com/listing/195426389/multiple-strand-beaded-bracelet-gypsy?ref=listing-14
What a tough choice! So much pretty sparkle! I really like this one… https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/195432617/multiple-strand-beaded-bracelet-hippie?ref=shop_home_active_13