During a quick trip to Bend, Oregon the other weekend, I had the fortune of meeting Bronwen Lodato and husband Michael Rubovits, the couple behind Bronwen Handcrafted Jewelry . Obsessed with making jewelry since she was in college, Bronwen found a way turn her passion and values into a full time business, now selling her designs across all 50 states, including through top retailers such as Athleta and the Sundance Catalog.
Many women I know, including myself, still enjoy looking somewhat feminine while we crush it outdoors. A huge outdoor enthusiast herself who used to lead backcountry expeditions for Outward Bound, Bronwen understood this and decided to create a line of jewelry that you didn’t need to take off just because you were setting out on a backpacking trip, going climbing, or heading to yoga.
“There wasn’t a whole lot of jewelry out there that was feminine yet sturdy enough for women to wear for both travel and play, so I designed my jewelry to fit this segment. Since then, my active designs have become more sophisticated and urban; I call it ‘adventure chic’,” said Bronwen.
The new Bronwen Active Collection includes necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, all designed for active, athletic yet stylish women. Artisan-made locally by hand and using only pure sterling silver, gold vermeil, and top-quality stones and glass, Bronwen Jewelry is made for wherever your adventures take you.
One of my favorite pieces is the Ribbon Wrap Bracelet (pictured top, $36-$82). Coming in 60 different colorways, I would love to have one to match each of my cycling kits. Made in the USA from 100% silk, the bracelets are fully adjustable and fit most every wrist.
Two new bracelets for fall feature colorful fire-polished Czech glass and are fully adjustable and water-friendly: the Active Beleza Bracelet ($50) and the Tiny Charm Bead Bracelet ($54), which features the same tiny charms that adorn Bronwen necklaces. The delicate Tiny Charm Earrings are low-profile but high-style, available in both short French wire and post styles, in gold ($54) and silver ($48).
You can order Bronwen Handcrafted Jewelry from the company website. A great one to keep in mind for your female friends and family members at holiday and birthday times.
