By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
December 8, 1999
Let’s face it. Most of us don’t have the genetic makeup (or the trainers and stylists) to look as good as Courteney Cox, Heather Locklear or Jennifer Love Hewitt do on their TV shows. But thanks to a couple of savvy West Coast designers, we can accessorize like the stars with some fabulously affordable and hot jewelry.
April Star Davis and Steve Ohlund are making their marks in the fashion world via two very different styles. Davis’ work looks like tiny pieces of art. Ohlund’s necklaces, on the other hand, light up a room . . . literally.
For the last five years, Davis has created one-of-a-kind rings, bracelets and necklaces that have been showcased on cast members of “Friends,” “ER,” “Charmed” and “Melrose Place.” Working with a chef’s butane torch and her favorite materials – sterling and semi-precious stones such as jade and pearls – Davis whips these gems up in her San Diego studio.
“I got the idea to make my own jewelry when I was working in a little bead store,” says Davis, 30. “I decided to go for it, so I quit my job. In the beginning, all I had was $60 and some beads. I certainly wasn’t making a lot of money, but I really loved what I was doing.”
Initially, it took a while for her jewelry to catch on. Stores were hesitant about purchasing from an unknown designer. Frustrated and broke, Davis had an epiphany one night while watching “Melrose Place.” She noticed that none of the actresses were wearing jewelry. With no Hollywood connections, Davis took a D.I.Y. approach to getting her jewelry seen by the wardrobe folks at the hottest shows.
“I got myself a copy of Variety and the Hollywood Reporter and figured out who to call,” says Davis, who also is an artist and photographer. “Then I just made cold calls. I was very surprised to find that the shows were so receptive to me – much more responsive than any of the stores I had tried to get my pieces into. `Melrose Place’ was the first series to purchase my jewelry, and then it built up from there. It was so cool to watch TV and say, `Hey, Heather Locklear is wearing my earrings!’ ”
Davis’s jewelry pieces, which range from $15 to $150, are available online (www.AprilStar Davis.com).
Around the same time that Davis was getting her business started, Ohlund was working on a design for a glow-in-the-dark necklace that would become the prototype for the trendy Kryptolight. Powered by two tiny replaceable batteries, the necklaces glow (for up to 30 hours) when the magnetic clasp is fastened.
Since Ohlund joined forces last year with Adam Anthony and Mark Jones in San Luis Obispo, Calif., his illuminated glass crystal necklaces have been embraced by the likes of Britney Spears, Calista Flockhart, ‘N Sync, Jimmy Smits, Daryl Hannah and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Julia Roberts even requested to wear the unisex necklace in “Runaway Bride.”
“Every time I see someone wear one of our necklaces, I light up,” says Ohlund, 38. “And they do, too. It’s like their spirit really does shine through. The necklaces are fun, which I think people really enjoy. And they’re definitely a great conversation starter.”
The necklaces, $19.95, are available in four colors and a variety of shapes including hearts, crosses, snowflakes, dolphins and stars. For more information, call (800) 549-4466; or check out Kryptolight’s Web site (www.kryptolight.com).
