Featuring the The Finch & Thistle Custom Bridal Collection for Carbon Neutral Fine Jewelry
Choosing the designer for your custom engagement ring can be a big decision. An engagement ring is often the first piece of fine jewelry purchased and you want to ensure that your ring is of the highest quality and meets your expectations. After working with clients to design luxury weddings for over 15 years, After working with clients to design luxury weddings for over 15 years through Finch & Thistle Event Design, I decided to start the Finch & Thistle Custom Bridal Collection design service at Carbon Neutral Fine Jewelry and I’d like to offer some advice on how to choose the right designer for you (whether it’s us, or someone else!)
- Research designers: Start by researching different custom engagement ring designers, both online and in person. Look for designers who specialize in the type of ring you’re interested in, such as antique-inspired designs or contemporary styles. Carbon Neutral Fine Jewelry is able to work within your style guidelines to design a ring that is uniquely suited to you and that is made with recycled gold and ethically mined diamonds, gemstones and lab grown diamonds. We are known for clean, classic and timeless ring designs.
- Check their portfolio: Look at the designers’ portfolios to get an idea of their style and the types of rings they have created in the past. Make sure they have a track record of creating high-quality, unique designs. We are very proud of the designs we have created at Carbon Neutral Fine Jewelry.
- Read reviews: Look for reviews from past clients to get an idea of their experience working with the designer. Read both positive and negative reviews to get a well-rounded understanding of the designer’s work. We have many reviews posted on our website and Instagram account.
- Schedule a consultation: Schedule a consultation with the designers you’re interested in to discuss your ideas and get a feel for their work process. This is also a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have and get a sense of their level of professionalism and attention to detail.
- Compare prices: Compare prices between different designers to get an idea of the average cost of a custom engagement ring. Keep in mind that the cost of a custom ring will depend on factors such as the type of metal, diamonds, and design details. Generally speaking, a lab grown diamond will cost 1/3 that of a mined diamond of similar weight, color and clarity and smaller direct-to-consumer jewelry designers will be less expensive than working with a retail jeweler – even though you are getting one on one service.
Remember, it’s important to choose a designer who you feel comfortable communicating with and who can bring your vision to life. Take the time to find a designer who has the skills, experience, and attention to detail to create a ring that you’ll cherish forever. Our custom bridal clients have been thrilled with their rings and I would love to invite you to look at some of our designs and see if we are a good fit for your custom engagement ring design.
After 15 years in the wedding industry, I’ve seen a lot of engagement ring trends come and go. There was the platinum set princess cut of the early 2000’s, then the halo setting of the 2010’s and the return to yellow and rose gold in the 2020’s. The latest trend is larger center stones – much larger in fact – 2-3 carats plus – brought about by the advent of technology to grow chemically identical diamonds in the lab.
Lab Grown Diamonds have taken the jewelry world by storm. Over the last decade, the technology has improved to the point where we can now grow flawless, large diamonds in a matter of months rather than thousands of years. Coming from the USA and India primarily (and owned by American companies), consumers no longer need to worry about the mining practices and human exploitation involved in the pursuit of natural diamonds – a huge plus in the minds of our millennial and Gen Z customers.
When I decided to start a custom jewelry design business in addition to Finch & Thistle, I wanted to create everyday pieces that would last a lifetime. Heirloom quality diamond and solid gold rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces for a woman (or man) to buy themself and pass along to the next generation. Made-to-Order fine jewelry is the ultimate in sustainable fashion. Designed to be worn every day, our pieces never tarnish or turn your skin green and given that gold is a traded commodity, each item becomes an investment rather than a throwaway costume piece to be discarded when the trend dies down.
Carbon Neutral Fine Jewelry is exactly that – fine jewelry, made-to-order and designed for everyday wear. We make classic pieces that go equally with jeans or a cocktail dress. Our custom pieces use recycled gold and (primarily) lab grown diamonds. A 2-3ct engagement ring now costs what a .8ct engagement ring cost 20 years ago. We design bridal rings, gypsy rings, wedding bands and lab grown diamond engagement rings and redesign jewelry pieces that are no longer worn. What’s the point of having fine jewelry in a safe? We also carry lots of everyday items essential for a jewelry wardrobe – 14k gold hoops, diamond huggie earrings, tennis necklaces and tennis bracelets all in lab grown diamonds and at a third of the price of mined diamonds. Our more budget conscious pieces are perfect for bridal party gifts.
Two and a half years into my jewelry design journey, I’d love to welcome you over to that world to see what I’m up to. My weddings were known throughout the Pacific Northwest for years as classically beautiful. I think you’ll find my fine jewelry pieces will stand the test of time also; after all, it’s just design on a much smaller scale.
- Tagged: Jewelry Design
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INSTAGRAM E-DESIGN GIVEAWAY!
I am so excited about this new chapter for Finch & Thistle and to celebrate, I’m giving away a FREE e-design package for one lucky bride or groom! For details on how to enter, visit our Instagram page at www.instagram.com/finchandthistle
Entries accepted until Friday, March 31 at 7am PST. The winner will be announced on Friday, March 31 at noon PST!
Image by my talented friends: O’Malley Photographers
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- { Monday, March 27, 2017 }
New E-Design Service for Weddings!
- category: E-Design Service, Home, Weddings
I have exciting news! After running Finch & Thistle as a full-service event design and planning studio for the last nine years, I have decided to branch out into e-design services for clients who cannot afford to hire a designer but still want to achieve a beautiful and cohesive look to their wedding or event. Working remotely with clients enables me to bring my design services to clients all over the world in addition to continuing to provide full event design and planning services to clients locally.
Here’s a little bit of information about how the process works:
1. Purchase the design package in my ETSY SHOP
2. Fill out the detailed questionnaire that I will email to you.
3. Add a link to your Pinterest Board(s)
4. I get to work putting together a detailed branding and event design board that you can implement yourself or hire local vendors to implement.
5. Turnaround time is around 10 days from the time you send back your questionnaire.
6. One revision is included.
…and here’s what you will receive:
A PDF DOCUMENT that gives you…
1. A cohesive color palette for the event
2. A separate color palette for the floral design
3. Branding examples for stationery/website
4. Decorative rental suggestions within your described budget
5. Floral design suggestions
6. Display ideas (dessert table, guest book, photobooth, seating chart etc)
PLUS, I can also include rental shopping lists, vendor referrals, and sources for decorative pieces in a customized package. Event design at a fraction of the usual price!
Here’s a peek at an example of what you would receive and some pictures from the actual wedding to show how the design could be implemented…
For more information, check out our new shop here: Finch & Thistle Weddings.
- { Friday, February 24, 2017 }
Nautical Summer Wedding at Seattle’s Admiral’s House
This was such a delightful wedding to plan because Annie is an old friend from college. We met as Freshmen at The University of Puget Sound but had only stayed in touch via social media in the thirteen years since graduation, so it was lovely to hear that she was getting married and would like my help with the planning and decor.
Annie and Kevin were married last July at The Admiral’s House in Magnolia. With some dubious weather on the horizon, we played it safe and ordered a clear tent for their garden ceremony and a marquee for the reception on the front lawn. Annie wanted brighter pops of color and a small nod to a nautical theme which inspired the gorgeous, raw linen napkins and runners in navy and taupe which we layered over a very pale grey tablecloth. To add some vibrancy to the flowers, we added orange dahlias and tangerines in the tablescapes. My favorite part was creating the ceremony arbor which we covered in green plum branches, sweet pea vines, garden roses and dahlias. Julie Harmsen took these lovely photos.
- Tagged: Admiral's House Seattle, Finch & Thistle Event Design, julie harmsen photography, Nautical Wedding, Seattle event planner
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- { Monday, January 2, 2017 }
Published GWS: Provencale Country Club Wedding
- category: event design, floral design, Home, Weddings
Leslie and Glan’s love of Provence inspired all the details of their Everett Country Club wedding (down to the photo booth!) which was featured on Green Wedding Shoes. Photography courtesy of Jagger Photography.
The ceremony took place on the First Fairway with a custom built arch draped in garlands and custom crocheted linen held with floral tie-backs. We used loose bunches of lavender, boughs of pears and market baskets to define the space where the bride and groom would stand. Guests were greeted with strawberry water and lavender lemonade as they found their seats. Cocktail hour took place on a patio lit with cafe lights and guests found their tables at the dried herb bundle escort card display.
In terms of decor, I started with herbs and lavender and went from there adding soft grey linens, hemstitch napkins, vineyard chairs, cream draping, cafe lights and beautiful rattan chargers. We filled the long banquet tables with garden compote arrangements, potted herbs and topiaries and brass candlesticks. The arrangements overflowed with local fruiting blueberries, garden roses in peach, coral and butter yellow, zinnias, apple blossom dahlias, pears on the branch and lots and lots of flowering herbs. They were a riot of color and soft fragrance. Each place setting had a sprig of lavender and was accented with lace.
The sweetheart table was set on the stage so the couple could look out over the reception space. We styled the dusty blue vintage couch and farm table with french market baskets and overturned vintage apple baskets overflowing with lavender and garden roses. The cake was also displayed on the stage on top of a vintage dresser with pear boughs filling the open drawers.
- Tagged: Finch & Thistle Event Design, green wedding shoes, Jagger Photography, Provence wedding, seattle event design, seattle wedding planner
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These clients married in a medieval chapel on a private estate just outside Seattle. They wanted the chapel to have a dreamy, forest feel and I had an amazing time dreaming up the altar installation of Japanese snowbell, privet, foxglove and clematis. By contrast, the Chihuly Glass museum is bright and airy with a huge glass poppy installation. This was the biggest set up we’ve ever had to do in a two hour window and I tried to keep that in mind with the event design as it was easy to get carried away with the greenhouse theme. We brought in potted vine maples and soft seating, created a custom bar backdrop and hanging plants to decorate the tented courtyard. I designed three styles of tables and a greenhouse inspired dessert table backdrop complete with custom 5′ wide laser cut monogram and trailing moss and orchids. The florals were filled with garden roses, mock orange, ranunculus, peonies and kumquats. Italian poppies in sherbet shades added a pop of color and served to incorporate the infamous Chihuly glass installation. Photography by Stephanie Cristalli with assistance by Jenn Tai. Event design, styling and floral by Finch & Thistle Event Design.
- Tagged: chihuly garden and glass seattle, chihuly wedding, finch and thistle event design, seattle event designer, spring wedding, stephanie cristalli photography, wedding design
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- { Friday, August 19, 2016 }
Published SMP: Dreamy Washington Winter Wedding
I am thrilled to see Krissy and David’s dreamy winter wedding featured on the front page of Style Me Pretty today! It is always a treat to work with your industry besties and this wedding was a true collaboration between myself, stationery designer Sally Balt at La Happy and fine art film photographers Scott and Ashlee O’Malley. The gorgeous bride is actually one of Sally and Ashlee’s best friends and if you look closely, you’ll see that they were both bridesmaids in this wedding too. For a full album, take a look at the SMP post here.
- Tagged: Finch & Thistle Event Design, Foliage Runners, Head Table Design, la happy, O'Malley Photographers, Rosehill Community Center, Spring Wedding Flowers, Style Me Pretty Wedding, winter wedding, Winter Wedding Flowers
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- { Wednesday, March 23, 2016 }
Woodland Wedding at Alderbrook Resort
- category: floral design, Home, Weddings
This wedding was such a treat to design but the install day shall be forever burned into my memory because I was suffering from horrendous morning sickness (at only 8 weeks pregnant), couldn’t keep a thing down and had to rely on my amazing team to do the heavy lifting (literally – we had wood stumps to haul around!) All that aside, I always love going back to Alderbrook because that is where Grant and I got married almost 9 years ago. It is a beautiful, sophisticated, quintessential Pacific Northwest hotel and spa with all the charm of a 1950’s summer camp. Guests relax on their balconies or around the firepits and look out over the Hood Canal and the Olympic mountains beyond. Seals have even been known to swim with you along the boat dock.
Kristin and Marty wanted a woodland feel to their beautiful day with lots of ferns and woodgrain details. For the ceremony, we lined the aisle with wood stumps and potted ferns in distressed garden pots. For the tented reception, we created three huge chandeliers of greenery and white flowers and then added color to the tables with floral arrangements in coral, orange and pink. It was a beautiful, festive, joyful day photographed beautifully by Angela and Evan Photography and expertly coordinated by Chesney of All the Flutter.
- { Tuesday, February 16, 2016 }
Summer Corson Building Wedding
- category: event design, Home, Weddings
It’s always fun to watch an old friend get married and even more fun when that friend is a fellow artist with excellent taste. Sarah is an art history professor who specializes in ancient Italian art so the decision to host her August wedding at the Corson Building was an easy one. Sarah and Mark wanted their wedding to feel like a large Italian dinner party and the Corson Building’s Tuscan style villa and beautiful gardens were a perfect match. For the event design and floral, I drew inspiration from the landscapes and gardens of Italy, with lush garden flowers in soft pastel tones, bowls of oranges, persimmons, grapes on the vine, and organic herbs. Guests feasted on locally caught, foraged, grown, and harvested products, served family style. I can personally guarantee that not only was it the best food I have ever eaten at a wedding or event, it was the best food I have ever eaten. Period. Each moment of this gorgeous gathering was beautifully captured by Ryan Flynn and was published on Elizabeth Anne Designs.
Photography: Ryan Flynn | Venue: The Corson Building | Floral and Event Design: Finch and Thistle Event Design | Stationery: Gogo Snap! | Calligraphy: La Happy | Favors: Fran’s Chocolates | Cake: Bakery Nouveau | Hair Stylist: Oohla’s | Makeup Artist: Marina Pirkle | Gown: BHLDN | Bride’s Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Ties: Salvatore Ferragamo