June 2010

Collaboration is key darlings! When jewelry designer Vanessa Gade joined Smashing Darling we were happy to discover she is part of a designer co-op out in San Francisco: The Mission Statement. Whether you live nearby, or find you are headed there for a jaunt, do pay them a visit. You will be happy you did, and may even thank us for letting you in on this indie shopping spot you might not have found on your own. Read our Q & A with Vanessa below to find out more about her, her lovely jewelry and how she became involved with The Mission Statement.

Darlings: How did you get into jewelry design?
Vanessa: I had always been a bit of a crafty kid but I don’t know if I consider macaroni necklaces jewelry design… I first started metalsmithing while studying to be a historian at UCSD. I was really into photography back then and volunteered to help install the new darkroom going in to the crafts center on campus. Adjacent to the darkroom was the jewelry studio, I was fascinated by the molten metal, the array of tools and sparkly stones. I wandered in and never looked back.

Darlings: When did you start your own line of jewelry?
Vanessa: I had a line that I started early on while I was apprenticing a silversmith in San Diego, but I officially launched my proper business and signature line in San Francisco in September 2007.

Vanessa Gade, $172

Darlings: What inspires your designs?
Vanessa: Strong lines, geometric shapes, high contrast shadows, Ikebana flower arrangements, criss-crossing power lines, suspension bridges, cool old trees..

Darlings: What does your average day entail? …and what is your favorite part?
Vanessa: Wearing many hats! Designer, office manger, metalsmith, customer service rep… I generally try to divide my days into admin and studio days. Admin days I take care of the nuts and bolts of the business side and on my studio days I get to go in and create away….that is definitely my favorite part. When I have gotten so deep into a design or creation, the zone that just keeps you rolling and hours do pass before you know it…..and then the fulfillment when you have manifested something from an idea in your head to a tangible piece that you can actually wear.

Vanessa Gade, $185

Darlings: Who founded The Mission Statement (and when), and how did you become a part of the co-op?
Vanessa: Estrella Tadeo is the managing partner and the co-op was founded in February of 2008. I was actually part of the preceding coop, Porcelyne Gallery, when that closed several of those original members came together and opened The Mission Statement.

Vanessa Gade, $132

Darlings: How is the co-op managed? Is it hard to have multiple designers running one space?
Vanessa: I am posed that question often and from the outside it would seem like an unlikely venture to have 8 different women designers working in sync like we do. But I have to admit that the women I work with have become like a family to me and are some of my closest friends now. Its very inspiring and motivating to have these individuals around me, we are all in it for mutual success and are totally supportive of each other. I can honestly say I have to give major credit to Estrella, she is the brainchild and heartbeat of the store and is definitely what keeps it all together. The model of the store is such that all of us are considered equal and take an equal part in covering rent and retails shifts, however Estrella acts as the managing partner which gives our business model some structure and direction.

Vanessa Gade, $175

Darlings: As a co-op do you collaborate on events? Are you getting ready for any right now?
Vanessa: Funny you should ask as we are in the middle of planning our annual block party …. an awesome Mission District community event with live entertainment and a fashion show. Details to follow …and in fact last week we put on an event in conjunction with a great organization called NEST www.buildanest.com. An organization of women artisan stateside raising funds and awareness for women artisans in developing nations and providing micro-loans for them to start their own businesses and support networks!

Vanessa Gade, $185

Darlings: Tell us about something you LOVE that you want others to know about.
Vanessa: Besides PIZZA?!?!? (laugh) Professionally my biggest thrill is when someone says: Wow, I’ve never seen something like that before. That’s a sign to me and I get great satisfaction knowing that something I created makes someone stop stare and think a minute…whether it’s their style or not they have taken a moment and noticed.

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