All it took was one read through Annie Costello Brown’s bio and I was intrigued…very intrigued.

This month’s featured jewelry artist, she is the designer behind ACB – a line of hand-made pieces in materials including leather, bronze castings, vintage chains, natural shells and semi-precious stones. Her creativity and design sensibilities originated in her childhood, growing up in the  Sausalito houseboat community of the 1970s and 80s. This was a community of artists, musicians and crafters who established their own sort of counterculture in the Northern California bay, and nurtured her own resourcefulness and creativity.

The community still exists, but went through a period of intense struggle in the late 70s and 80s called the “House Boat Wars” that was between the houseboat community and wealthy developers that wanted them out. This no doubt was also influential on Annie Costello Brown’s upbringing and the work that she would one day create.

This history kept playing in my mind as I looked at the ACB pieces we are carrying – the eclipse necklace, with its combination of leather, chains and beads, the texture and blue beading of the cyanea necklace and the fierce looking linea blades necklace. I can see the influence of the Sausalito seas and unique architectural elements in the necklaces featured in our September catalog. The collection has something for everyone, ranging from bold statement pieces to delicate casual elegance, all with an underlying intrigue that speaks of turmoil, triumph and fierce individuality.

And just for you, here’s a little peek inside the ACB studio!

view all jewelry by ACB.

houseboat image source.