Designing women: the creative minds behind Efva Attling and Samantha Louise jewelry

Efva Attling, a former model and musician, is now designing jewelry sold at her own boutique in New York and such stores as Hyde Park Jewelers in Denver.

Efva Attling and Samantha Larkins surround themselves with diamonds and gold each day. Sounds rough, doesn’t it? Yet they aren’t just reveling in precious stones and metals, but turning these raw materials into wearable pieces of art.

At this time of year, the jewelry designers leave their workbenches and studios to visit stores and promote and sell their designs. We recently caught up with the women — one a Swedish former model and pop singer, the other a young Denver mother of two — to learn a little more about them and to get some insights into what’s happening in the industry.

Tall and blond, with clear blue eyes and a commanding walk, Efva Attling turns heads when she strides across the carpet at Hyde Park Jewelers in Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Once a model, always a model, her demeanor seems to say. Most of us could only dream of looking that good at 60.

But it’s more than her beauty that makes you notice Attling. The sense of confidence that she projects is more powerful than the bold crystal necklace or gold Rolex watch she wears.

Efva Attling’s “define normal” necklace

Cases full of her jewelry help tell the story of this Swedish woman who modeled for many years in New York and Europe before being in a rock band (the X Models) and then returning to an avocation of her youth — creating jewelry. (By the way, the “f” in her name is silent.)

Many of Attling’s designs feature words or sayings — in English and French — that she takes to heart. And for her, jewelry has a talismanic quality — it should reinforce your need to “Hope” as the crystal pyramid conveys. Or make you “Pencez de Moy” (“Think of Me,” in ancient French) or “define normal.”

“I love to play around with words,” Attling says. A current favorite is “Peace” and she has created jewelry in conjunction with Yoko Ono to benefit Doctors Without Borders. Thirty percent of the sales prices will be donated to the cause.

Her creations range from simple silver earrings and necklaces with little discs featuring messages to big, bold and expressive pieces such as her “Crystal Rain” necklaces. That’s by design — she wants women (and men) who like her work to be able to buy a bracelet for themselves without a huge outlay of cash. (Prices start at about $100.) Or have a husband spring for a more luxurious item, such as gold and diamond earrings.

She believes in living in — and enjoying — the present. “Always remember that tomorrow, anything can happen,” she says.

Stackable rings from Samantha Louise sell for $450 to $5,000, at Oster Jewelers and stores around the country

Samantha Louise Larkins, whose company is named after her first and middle names, creates covetable matte gold pieces that are both feminine and fanciful. Delicate discs accentuate her 18-karat gold necklaces. Stackable rings are dotted with diamonds. Sweet charms hang from chains. Her work, which she presented recently at a trunk show at Oster Jewelers, can be worn for day or night, giving it a special niche in the fine jewelry world. She likes jewelry that’s not just reserved for special occasions, but can be enjoyed every day.

“There’s always a place for statement items, but I like to be able to wear nice jewelry with jeans and a T-shirt,” Larkins said.

Given the high price of gold these days — and she works primarily in 18-karat gold — earlier this year she added charms to her collection. The charms, which start at $200 and can be added to necklaces, make great gifts, she says. “You can add on pieces for a birthday, anniversary or birthday,” she said.

Samantha Larkins added gold and stone charms to her Samantha Louise collection earlier this year.

Larkins, who grew up in Indianapolis, moved with her husband to Colorado a few years back and says she likes being able to produce her collection here. She studied photography at the University of San Diego and then learned aspects of jewelry making at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, Calif. An apprenticeship with Travis Kukovich, a world-class designer and goldsmith, followed in Chapel Hill, N.C., prior to her marriage and move to Denver. Awards and recognition have been quick to pile up and earlier this year, she expanded her retail range. Oster Jewelers sells her work in Denver.

“It’s great for us to be able to work with a designer like Samantha,” says Jeremy Oster, who with his wife Melissa owns Oster Jewelers. “We love supporting local talent. And our customers can build a relationship with her and chart her progress.”

Melissa Oster agrees. “Jewelry is the most personal luxury item a person can possess and the ability to meet the one who creates it adds to the experience.”