Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: When the glorious Golden Gate Bridge celebrates its 75th this Sunday, pay tribute with one of two locally-designed Golden Gate Bridge necklaces, $124, by architecture buff and jewelry maker Alice Roche.

One features rivets inspired by the iconic span, while the second stands out with a Chevron pattern reminiscent of the structure. Both are made of sterling silver and available exclusively at the new Golden Gate Bridge shop.

Photography courtesy of Alice Roche

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The Lucy earrings, $64, pair classic gold hoops with rock chic leather triangles.

The Ella earrings, $64, are hung with sparkling pyrite nuggets.

The Sierra earrings, $56, combine vintage chain, hematite and spikes.

The Cleo necklace, $82, features pyrite cubes and recycled leather.

We’re big fans of locally-made jewelry that packs a unique flavor, so you can imagine we were taken with the adornments of San Francisco designer Megan Stacy and her Salty Fox line. Using metals, recycled leather and chains, the former Lela Rose intern aims to make necklaces, earrings and bracelets with sophisticated edge and affordable prices.

Read on for more about this local designer and her current collections.

Tells us a little about your line. How did you get your start? I launched my line a year ago with the aim to make affordable handmade jewelry that is both casual and refined. I had been working with a lot of silver and metalsmithing techniques in the past and wanted to do a line that was more accessible and less labor and cost intensive.  I also have a background in clothing and textile design and interned with Lela Rose in New York, but definitely feel really excited about working with metal and accessories now.

What are your favorite materials to work with right now? I like to use a lot of chain and stones that are both sleek and raw. I like everything to be clean and sophisticated, but not too sweet. I also use a lot of vintage materials and a bit of leather that is repurposed from vintage clothing.

Where can we find your work in San Francisco? Salty Fox can be found at Candystore Collective, Eden & Eden, Curator, Blues Jean Bar, Resident Artist Gallery, and Wonderland SF.  I also sell online. I tend to have one-off pieces at fairs like this and most pieces are discounted, so it is always good to come by shows like this if you are a fan. I will also be at all of the SF Indie Marts this summer at Thee Parkside.

Star shaped vintage rhinestone pin necklace, $180.

Chevron rhinestone pin necklace, $115

Antique pin necklace featuring chains and leatherwork, $115.

Designer Michelle Threadgould wearing her own designs as she displays a piece she recently created.

What inspired you to start Scorpion Sisters?

I come from a costume design background. Dreaming up new worlds through design is what I love. Margarita was a visual merchandiser and designed window displays for twenty five years. The two of us like to tell stories through our designs.

We were looking for creative alternatives to our day jobs, and one evening, walking along Embarcadero, we discussed what it would be like to run our own business. My aunt loves live edge wood, and had once made a table out of a beautiful piece that she found at the flea market. So we began going to flea markets, salvage yards and eco-sourced lumber yards and making tables.

Shortly thereafter, I remembered that my aunt used to make beautiful pieces of jewelry as a hobby, and the two of us took the same idea of using reclaimed and upcycled materials as our base. We liked the idea of making jewelry that was one-of-a-kind and asymmetrical as a way to express individuality and to give a special touch to our designs.

You often use recycled materials. Can you let us in on where you find them?

Sixty percent of our materials are reclaimed or eco-sourced. We often find vintage or broken pieces of jewelry at flea markets, thrift stores and estates sales and then we redesign the jewelry, adding crystals, feathers, African beads or whatever new materials inspire us.

What makes your brand and aesthetic distinct and unique?

Both of us are inspired by imperfect things. We like the idea of giving an old item new life and restoring its original beauty. But we do more than that. We give our jewelry an artistic and modern edge with a handmade feel.

This living room setting features the Fleur de Lys-shaped English Walnut Table made of live-edge wood and reclaimed metal legs.

The sisters successfully incorporate unconventional elements into their furniture. Featured is a white wooden plank table with leather stitching.

Obsessed with the Scorpion Sisters yet? Check out their full collection online at scorpionsisters.com. To purchase jewelry, visit their etsy shop.

Photography courtesy  of  Scorpion Sisters

More local designers…

With Earth Day coming up this Sunday, you may find yourself focused on the environmental impact of your fashion habit. Behind whatever’s hanging in our closets, there are fields of pesticide-laden cotton, river-draining amounts of water and tons of buckets of dyes and bleaches involved in producing so much of today’s apparel. So how can a stylish Bay Area-ite satisfy her fashion cravings? Here are seven ways:

1. Shop vintage. Need an excuse to buy that one-of-a-kind piece you spotted last weekend? Done: buying vintage is good for the environment. (Reuse!) Head over to Fiat Lux in the Castro for a drool-worthy collection of never-been-worn deadstock designer sunglasses or hurry to Ver Unica in Hayes Valley for that perfect vintage party dress.The planet thanks you.
2. Feed your shoe addiction with Melissa Shoes, plastic (yes – plastic) shoes imported from Brazil. The whimsical footwear is made from 100 percent recyclable materials. There are several stores in San Fran selling the line. Try Nida boutique in Hayes Valley or an Ambiance location.
3. Drape yourself with eco-friendly hardware. Saving the planet and wearing a few sparklers aren’t mutually exclusive. Designers are using reclaimed materials to make inspired, original jewelry. I had trouble resisting Alkemie’s hedgehog ring at Dress in the Marina, while rhinestone lovers can find Claire Hummel’s fabulous creations at Belljar in the Mission.
4. Buy some new underwear. But not just any underwear – a pair that will get you off your butt, onto a bike and into a greener mode of transportation! Locally-owned and manufactured Pedal Panties make riding your bike more comfortable, so your eco-friendly bum can “feel as good as you look.”
5. Order eco-friendly. If Internet shopping is your game, here are a few more players for your roster. Amour Vert’s clothes won’t hurt the planet or your well-honed fashion reputation. If you’ve got money to burn, try Dosa for some of the prettiest hippie-chic clothes out there. They’re available via Polyvore. And watch out for an upcoming online store from my personal favorite, Dipped & Dyed.
6. Indulge yourself in a local shopping spree. Make your way over to one of Berkeley designer Erica Tanov’s nearby boutiques for some charmingly luxe environmentally-friendly duds.
7. Stop using Salvation Army as a dumpster. Did you know that up to 85% of what you drop off at Salvation Army will end up in overseas black markets or be turned into rags and insulation? Why not make some money off your old clothes at places like Crossroads Trading Co., Buffalo Exchange or a local consignment shop? Even better for the world: find a charitable program like Reuse and Cleanup Days in Contra Costa County that will find willing takers for anything you want to toss.

More San Francisco eco-friendly fashion…

Our very-visual, (almost) chatter-free snap judgment of the day: Revitalized and making a statement, artist Claire Hummel‘s glamorous crystal and gold chain costume necklace, $275, was locally-designed using found and vintage jewelry. P.S. You’ll find Claire’s jewelry at Bell Jar in the Mission District.

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