LIZA BETH JEWELRY Liza has an eye for design. As a girl, Liza Soklove enjoyed countless hours browsing upscale shops in her native Philadelphia, where the designer s distinct style was cultivated from an early age. Following her heart, Liza moved to Austin, Texas in 2008 where she began beading for fun. Currently, with the success of Liza Beth Jewelry, she strives to support causes that are close to her heart: Hospice Austin, Seton Breast Care Center, Juvenile Diabetes Austin, Animal Organizations, PeopleFund and the Jewish Federation. Liza Beth Jewelry was born in May 2012 when the naturally creative design spirit in Liza Soklove decided to pursue an unforeseen passion: jewelry design. Liza Beth Jewelry uniquely balances edge with delicacy, creating masterful pieces inspired by Austin s casual but sophisticated vibe. Locally handmade, each piece is an unexpected, nontraditional, and eclectic combination of diamonds and pearls on an exclusively custom-made oxidized steel chain. The timeless designs include necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings featuring single cut conflict-free diamonds set in oxidized sterling silver or white, yellow and rose gold. Tahitian, South Sea, and freshwater pearls and semi-precious stones are also part of Liza Beth s collection. The signature vintage-inspired steel chain is exclusive to the Liza Beth line, allowing each piece to be loved and layered.
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THE STORY BEHIND LIZA BETH JEWELRY Liza Soklove is an old soul. Growing up, the designer loved dolls as much as the next little girl; however unlike most little girls, Liza had a passion for antiques. Collecting old perfume bottles and visiting antique shops with her father, Liza developed her flair for old, classic pieces. This appreciation followed Liza into adulthood, where one fateful day, she stumbled upon a steel chain at a flea market. This chain birthed the idea of the beautiful exclusively custom-made oxidized steel chain that came to define Liza Beth Jewelry. As a designer, Liza is an individual. Never basing her work on the work of others, the designer does not consider herself a follower of fashion. However, as Liza continues to expand her collection, she is increasingly an influential presence in the fashion world. Liza s favorite piece remains the classic wrap bar bracelet that was one of her earliest designs. The designer loves anything with flowers or an element of femininity that can be mixed with the hard chain. Liza says the balance of soft and hard represents the metamorphosis of life.
LIZA BETH JEWELRY PRESS
LIZA BETH JEWELRY PRESS S STYLE WHO, WHAT, WEAR AUSTIN STYLE RISING STAR DESIGNER TO WATCH CHAIN REACTION 38 hold names. I honed my client service skills during those years and came to love helping others find a unique piece for their wardrobes. Soklove still loves to meet her customers and hear their experiences today. I really enjoy the personal appearance aspect of my trunk shows. Meeting the women who love my work inspires me to keep creating. Also inspiring? Soklove s adopted hometown of Austin. Austin s vibe inspires creativity, and anything goes here. It gave me the courage to use steel chain (a non-traditional fine-jewelry base) and pair it with the elegance of diamonds and pearls. The results are gorgeous statement pieces that are sure to warrant a second glance amidst a barrage of compliments. Each LizaBeth piece is crafted by hand and features materials such as oxidized sterling silver, diamonds, pearls, gemstones and LizaBeth s signature fabricated steel chain. For LizaBeth s spring 2013 collection, Soklove used celestial-style pieces featuring diamond-studded suns, stars and crescent-shaped moons. The resulting pieces characterize the whimsical touches women crave as the weather warms. Diamonds and steel are an unexpected combination that can be defined as risky for a new designer. But Soklove isn t one to avoid those risks, and she hopes other entrepreneurs-to-be will consider her a source of inspiration. I think I ve inspired others to be unexpected, to take a chance, to let their ideas thrive. A By LISA CALDWELL Liza Soklove understands that as a business owner, it s important to keep evolving with your customers. That s why the creator of LizaBeth Jewelry has continued to update her designs over the last two years while staying true to her unique blend of vintage-inspired, handmade creations. New designs are constantly part of her team s work, and she rarely if ever makes two pieces that are exactly alike. Her clientele love knowing that the piece around their neck is unique. What started out as a hobby for Soklove has escalated into her status as a rising star in the jewelry world. Her pieces are hand-assembled in Austin and can best be described as vintage with a modern edge. After taking a few beading classes, I picked up a vintage 1960s Chanel chain. Everything changed for me at that moment, she says. I moved from beading for fun to beading for my friends. Word got out that I was designing jewelry, and before I knew it, I was creating oneof-a-kind pieces for upscale boutiques around the country. In any given week, you might find Soklove at her Austin studio, on either coast hand-selecting pearls or at a boutique trunk show. Boutiques feel like home to Soklove, who owned her own upscale boutique on the East Coast for 15 years. She followed the trends and developed an eye for fashion during those years. I spotted and purchased highend designers including Juicy Couture, Paige Jeans, Alice & Olivia and Milly before they became house- fter owning two successful boutiques in New Jersey for 15 years, Liza Soklove (pictured, inset) was ready for a change. She relocated to Austin and starting pursuing new hobbies, including jewelry making. When she created her signature custom metal chain in a beading class, the design caught the notice of a local shop, and LizaBeth Jewelry was born. The brand showcases dazzling vintage-inspired pieces with chains, diamonds, gold and Tahitian pearls. Soklove takes pride in selecting the finest materials, including conflict-free diamonds and ethically harvested bone beads. She also pays her success forward by donating a portion of her company s profits to local causes such as Hospice Austin and Seton Breast Care Center. I feel if you re lucky enough to do something that gives you so much in return, you have to give back to your community, she says. Shop LizaBeth Jewelry at Valentine s Too. lizabethjewelry.com SY LV I A K I M MEETING THE WOMEN WHO LOVE MY WORK INSPIRES ME TO KEEP CREATING. Soklove places a lot of importance on giving back to the community with a focus on education and health care. Her company has gifted thousands of dollars of jewelry to various charitable causes in the Austin area. LizaBeth is small and young we turn 2 this summer yet we re extremely passionate about philanthropy, she says. In our first yearand-a-half, we donated over $12,000 worth of pieces to organizations, including Hospice Austin, the Seton Pink Army and several local schools. Soklove is also on the steering committee for the Seton Pink Army, which is the fundraising arm of the Seton Breast Care Center, set to open in fall 2013. She designed a series of butterfly pieces as a fund- raiser for the center. Butterflies are symbols of love, hope and change, she says. I thought it was the perfect component for these necklaces. Personally and professionally, I am incredibly passionate about raising money for a better breast care facility in Austin. I work to honor my mom, who died from this disease almost 15 years ago. She would be so proud of my efforts in my community. COMPANY TO WATCH ONLINE UNWIND From travel delays to crowded malls to endless parties, the holidays can make anyone tense. If you re having trouble unwinding from all of the hustle and bustle, consider booking an appointment with massage.com. Entrepreneur Dan Graham of BuildASign purchased the domain name to create an on-demand company that sends the treatment to you. Order a Swedish or deep-tissue massage, and a licensed massage therapist will arrive at your home or office with a portable table, scented oils and music. The service is currently available in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, with plans to expand nationally under way. The site also pre-adds an 18-percent tip to your order, removing the potential for an awkward exchange at the end. So if you can t make it to the spa this holiday season, go ahead order in. J U L I A M I L L E R Whether Liza Soklove is designing or giving back to the community, Austin is happy it s the place she calls home. For more information about LizaBeth Jewelry, please visit www.lizabethjewelry.com or call 512-970-8420. NSIDE TEXAS BUSINESS / JULY.AUGUST 2013 60 AU ST I N M O N T H LY.C O M / D E C E M B E R 2 0 14 JEWELRY AND SOKLOVE PHOTOS COURTESY LIZABETH JEWELRY. MASSAGE PHOTO FROM SHUTTERSTOCK. Liza Soklove inspires others to take a chance and offers unique, handmade creations with both a vintage feel and a modern edge at LizaBeth Jewelry.