Images of Work

JEWELRY - all of the pictured jewelry is available for purchase at this time. Please contact me to place an order. 

 Necklace: antique glass beads, Swarovski crystals, vintage brass finding, leather cord. $97

 Necklace, hand cut leather lace, recycled garment leather, $75

Bracelet, multi-strand leather with wire wrapped semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls, Swarovski crystals, $65

 Cuff bracelet, hand cut leather lace butterfly, $59

Necklace, sterling silver chain, fresh water pearls, antique key, hand sculpted kite made from antique Japanese obi fabric and leather, antique key, $79

Earrings, Labradorite stones and garnets, sterling silver, $45 each

BABY SHOES - All of these baby shoes have sold. I am currently taking custom orders for baby shoes. You choose the size, style and materials. Please contact me to discuss your order.

 Casual baby shoes, antique Japanese obi fabric paired with neon green leather soles, $35

 Kimono baby shoes, antique Japanese obi fabric paired with non-skid rubberized cotton soles, $30 each

Kimono baby shoes, antique Chinese silk fabric paired with non-skid rubberized cotton soles, $30

 Baby booties, leather with pierced toes, $40

 Baby booties, vegan vinyl with plain toes, $25


PURSES - All of these purses have sold. I am currently designing and making bespoke purses only at this time. Please contact me to discuss your order.
Polka Dot Clutch, $72, Photo by Yassine Belhaldi

Beaded Chain Purse, $102, Photo by Virginia E. Berry

Silk Embroidered Messenger Bag, $167, Photo by Virginia E. Berry

Kimono Clutch, $72, Photo by Virginia E. Berry

CLOTHING - All of these clothing items have sold. I am currently only offering bespoke clothing design and sewing at this time. Please contact me to discuss your order.
Copper Leather Corset, $125, Photo by Yassine Belhaldi, Model: Virginia E. Berry

Obi Belt, $63, Photo by Virginia E. Berry, Model: Naomi Hernandez

Cropped denim jacket, $67. Photo by: Virginia E. Berry


TABLE LINENS & QUILTS - These items have sold or were custom orders and are not available for purchase. Please contact me to discuss custom quilting and home decor items. 
Table Runner, $67, Photo by Virginia E. Berry

Table Runner, $73, Photo by: Virginia E. Berry

Custom quilt. Photo by: Virginia E. Berry

Custom quilt. Photo by: Virginia E. Berry

LOGO

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DESIGNER

Virginia E. Berry, Designer & Owner of YazBerry Fashion

Virginia E. Berry, Designer & Owner of YazBerry Fashion

Virginia E. Berry, Designer & Owner of YazBerry Fashion

TO VIEW MY PRESS KIT CLICK HERE.

I Orderded a Glowforge 3-D Laser Printer!

I am going to own a laser! I have been stewing over this for a month. Should I buy one, can I justify the pricey purchase? Do I really need this? Making lists of pros and cons...the only thing ever on the con list is the price...so today I placed an order for a Glowforge 3-D Laser Printer


If you want one for 50% off the retail price you can pre-order for another 15 days or so (check the website to be certain) and you will get $100 off if you use my link and so will I! I just pre-ordered a Glowforge 3D laser printer. It was an earlybird unit, so it was half price. They still have half-price units available, and this link is an EXTRA $100 coupon. Please, help me pay for this thing so I can make you amazing creations.

There are sooooo many things I can make with this and want to make. This tool will replace many processes I currently do by hand. Cutting of leather lace, cutting of vinyl records, cutting of fabric pieces. It will also bring in the ability to etch and pierce so many things! My favorite feature is I can hand draw anything, and place it in the Glowforge 3-D Laser Printer and it will cut that design into anything! As many times as I want. No need to train myself on Computer Aided Drawing though I would like to learn someday.

Wow, ok, so I am considering a GoFundme/Kickstarter Project which will have amazing laser cut gifts at the different donation levels. Stay tuned.

 Here are images of some of my work I hope to improve by using the Glowforge 3-D Laser Printer:

Finished my prototype for my Benjamin Franklin Kite necklace. I am very happy with this and will be making a series of these where each is a one of a kind. Price to be determined.

A photo posted by Virginia (@yazberryfashion) on Sep 23, 2015 at 6:15pm PDT

3D Lasers & Leather?

I have been thinking about learning how to use and incorporate laser printing and cutting in my leather design process. While I love hand cutting leather, and will likely continue to as a sort of "originals vs. prints" concept, I have been wanting to automate the process by making my hand drawn ideas CAD designs and then learning how to program a laser printer or cutter to cut these designs.

There is a new product out there Glowforge which could make this possible at home! You can cut wood, leather, etch glass, cut felt...so many interesting applications. If you get a chance flip through their galleries because there are already so many amazing things this printer has made...

I want a Glowforge so bad! Meanwhile, I think last year I read about a makers group in St. John's that has a laser in their collection of tools. I may need to further investigate...

If you want one too, you can sign up for their mailing list to get this awesome tool 1/2 off.

"The 3D laser printer that makes beautiful things, quickly.

Our first Glowforges will be half price.
We don't want you to miss out."

Screen Capture from the Glowforge website available 9.18.15

YazBerry Jewelry Collection: Leather Lace

The Leather Lace Collection features hand cut leather lace necklace, bracelets and earrings. I might even try a new ring concept soon! My leather lace collection is one of my most detailed and highest skilled techniques. I have written some background on my technique and inspiration before, and recently produced a short "making of" film which is available on youtube.

Bold and eye catching. Delicate like lace but with the strength of leather. Sometimes imitating metal, sometimes paper. Always distinct and free hand cut by me. Some producers use lasers to mass produce leather filigree jewelry. I do not. I pride myself in a steady hand and the ability to visually transfer a drawn design to leather by simply using small knives and piercing tools. I am good, really good. My free hand cut leather jewelry rivals and surpasses designs cut by lasers time and time again!

Most of these designs I can make in any color of leather or reproduce in similar look to what is featured. Many are currently available on my Etsy shop and on my facebook page. Inspired? Have a design you'd like to see in leather? Contact me to discuss custom jewelry options.

The Hand Cut Leather Lace Process - Revisited

You may recall my post on my hand cut leather lace process a few years ago. I have been re-inspired by cut leather work recently and decided to film the making of a new necklace design to give you some more insight into my process and technique. The piece featured in this video is available on my facebook page for purchase. This design could also be made in bronze or silver foiled leather. I have a few other colors on hand too just let me know what you are looking for.

YazBerry Wins Prize for Best Booth at Canada Day Garden Party, Bonavista

Mayor Betty Fitzgerald of Bonavista, NL, presented Designer Virginia E. Berry-Phillips with the prize for best booth at the Canada Day Garden Party, July 1, 2013, Mockbeggar Plantation, Bonavista, NL. 

 These are 'after' shots following a breezy day we are all a bit wind blown but you get the idea. Walls were covered in tablecloths (a favorite element of the Mayor's).

 "I'll have the YazBerry!" one of a kind jewelry selections served up on glass platters. An informed visitor told me the tall cake stand is likely 100+ years old as it appears to be formed of one piece and has air bubbles in it leading her to believe it is hand blown. Also, the pattern in the cut work indicates that as well. Excellent thrifted score!

 The Mayor, many visitors and two adorable tiny girls (who brought me lilacs to add to it) were all highly impressed with my wildflower arrangement. Lupins, orange flowers I think are in the dandelion family and clover. The green tray was purchased at an antique sale in the home of a member of the Ryan retail family in Trinity.

 My husband is the best and fabricated this cool earring display for me out of old raw cut fence slating and posts. Did I mention, he's the best!

 A fish/squid jigger hangs from the wall and the line has been tacked up to hold earrings. My creative husband's idea.

My fabulous, Art Deco era, antique bird cage holds my hand cut leather lace collection. Many of my pieces pull from the Art Deco aesthetic. This booth is a rough draft for the 4 day long sale I will have at the annual Puffin Festival in Elliston, NL, July 18-21. For more info visit their website.

The Hand Cut Leather Lace Process

LEATHER LACE

WHAT IS IT?

USA based Artist and Designer, Virginia E. Berry (Me) uses 100% Genuine Leather glove weight Lambskin in her precision, freehand cut and pierced leather jewelry and purses. This technique is referred to as leather lace. It is a play between positive and negative space; a 3-d rendering of a high contrast image.



THE INSPIRATION:

Mesmerized by a book on Asian Cut Art, Chinese Chung-hua and Japanese Kiri-e at my Grandmother’s, I taught herself to create cut paper art at a young age. I also finds inspiration in Mexican Papél Picado and cut paper art found in other cultures. My designs draw from traditional Asian motifs, Art Nouveau and Art Deco design.












THE PROCESS:

Leather lace requires the steady hand of a surgeon, one slip and the entire piece can be ruined. I draw out my design ideas on paper and use these to develop my pieces. Then, using the drawing as a visual reference guide, I use delicate knives and piercing utensils to freehand cut the design into leather. This is a careful, highly detailed process. Once the basic design in in place, I go back through with a close eye and makes sure all of the cut lines are crisp and smooth.

LEATHER LACE & YAZBERRY:

I started developing my hand cut leather lace technique in 2007. I've explored many tools and have sharpened my methods, always based on freehand cutting and freehand drawing. Leather lace is extremely lightweight and soft to wear. It is very flexible and amazingly durable. I have done durability testing and make sure my cut lines are thick enough so that you cannot tear them with your hands. Trust me, we've tried. To view my full leather lace collection (more to come in the next few weeks), visit yazberryfashion.etsy.com and view the bracelets & necklaces.

Hand Cut Leather Bracelets & Necklaces

YazBerry Hand Cut Copper Leather Bubbles Necklace, available here.

As seen in September's Issue of Vogue, and noted by my friend Stacy Prince, leather jewelry is a fall fashion look. I realize we are well into fall, however leather is timeless, can transition into winter easily and is such lightweight, comfortable jewelry to sport.

Amongst the leather jewelry featured in Vogue this September, were some necklaces & cuffs by Ports 1961 that have a strong resemblance to my hand cut, leather lace jewelry. My gut response was, I bet their designers search Etsy for ideas and then make versions that cost 6x that of meticulously hand crafted cut leather work. Needless to say, cut leather is lovely and compliments and adds to so many looks. With metallic finishes, leather offers a lightweight metal alternative.

My friend, Juli Lederhaus, General Manager of the lovely Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, MA, shared this article published November 3rd on AOL with me, as she is familiar with my cut leather work. "Daily Dose of Style: Leather Bracelets" by Genevieve Cruz. Cruz highlights many styles of leather bracelets, mostly studded, however the top left bracelet bears a striking resemblance to a style I've been making for several years. YazBerry Stacked Bracelet Illusion Hand Cut Silver Leather Cuff available here. My design is nearly half the price of the Linea Pelle Collection bracelet, and is carefully hand "sliced" by me, in my studio in the USA. I've done a few variations on the multi-bracelet illusion cuffs. Here is an example: available here.

Coming up next: insight into the hand cut leather lace process. I've developed this highly technical, specialized leather working technique on my own, based on skills I've applied from Chinese & Japanese paper cutting. Many hours of freehand, surgeon level cutting goes into each leather YazBerry piece of jewelry.

For more of my leather work, check out my bracelets & necklaces on my Etsy store front, yazberryfashion.etsy.com