The lush green forests, lapping ocean and protective mountains of the West Coast inspired Vancouver jewelry designer Karen Fung to create her first collection.
Fung, founder of MeiKu Designs, recently released the Karma collection, which is coming to the North Shore for the Harmony Arts Festival, July 29-Aug. 7. The festival takes place every year in West Vancouver to celebrate local artists.
Fung says she is looking forward to showcasing her jewelry, which she describes as "upscale Boho chic."
The earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in her collection are made of gold, silver, brass, semi precious stones, leather, wood, and wax linen to create looks that combine the raw wilderness of B.C. with the chic city life of Vancouver.
"The western coastline is such an inspiration for me, like the colours, the ruggedness and the lushness of it," says Fung.
She says the natural landscape of the area is represented in the shapes and colours of her materials. Her colour preferences include greens, blues, browns and oranges.
Fung uses quality materials so there is no discolouration and she says she stays away from certain metals that can irritate the skin.
"I use a lot of semi-precious stones because I just find stones carry a bit of healing energy in them and that is also very West Coast. People can be healed by nature, you come out to the West Coast and you feel very calm and relaxed and I want my jewelry to have that kind of power to it," she says.
Fung didn't always plan to be a jewelry designer and she hasn't always been a West Coast girl. Born and raised in Ontario, she came to Vancouver about 10 years ago searching for inspiration after she realized her training in illustration and web design wasn't satisfying her need to create.
"I felt like art needed more of a purpose. I think what drew me to jewelry is that it's something a person would appreciate every day," she says.
Her favorite creation so far is a pair of earrings that are gold with small feathers in the middle and a hint of blue.
"I just love it because it has a little pop of color without being too obnoxious. . . . It really represents West Coast . . . the whole rugged and raw look, but yet refined," Fung says.
Fung is currently preparing her display for the Harmony Arts Festival and she is planning on having some new works ready to be premiered at the event.
Prices for her pieces range from $25 to $190.
To find out more about the Karma collection go to www. meikudesigns.com.
Loren Romei is a journalism student at Carelton University.
Check out her fashion blog at www.littleloxo.wordpress.com.
