I told you about my talented friend Kim Bannister and her great remodel project last fall.  Well, she has put her design skills to work again on a special new project she has created with her daughter Sawyer.  Together they have launched Sawyer Collection.

Sawyer Collection is a one-of-a-kind Lucite home accessory collection.  The objects d’art, serving as book ends and tabletop décor, are hand-poured, cut and infused with color or embedded with natural materials.  Whether filled with items such as shells and semi-precious stones — discovered during the family’s global travels to Jamaican beaches or South African plateaus — or swirling with intense color, no two made-in-the-USA Sawyer items are alike.

A portion of the proceeds from each design are donated to a selection of charities and non-profit organizations.

How did you develop the concept of an accessory line?

I love unique things for our home.  Vintage items and 60s and 70s lucite have always caught my eye.  During one visit to a store Sawyer said, “Why can’t we do this with shells and things we find?”  These designs capture moments in time and memories for us.

What is your design process?  

We started with sketches and created an idea board for the line.  We are very influenced by nature and the colors in nature, particularly the beaches in Malibu and Jamaica where we spend a lot of time.

Each sculpture is hand-crafted in a two-step process.  The first layer is hand poured and as it slowly begins to solidify, the embedment is placed or color dropped in and a final layer is hand poured.  Once hardened each is cut and polished by hand to achieve the highest of quality and is a one-of-a-kind object of art.

What is it like working with your teen daughter?

Starting a business in general is a learning process for both of us, but doing it with her has made me realize how much young people can do and how savvy they can be.  She sees beauty in things that I don’t see immediately.  Sawyer loves the minerals and had the idea of adding them to the pieces.  We each have strengths and have taught each other a lot.  Sawyer has reminded me that life is filled with wonder and if you don’t slow down you will miss it.

Sawyer Collection is currently available at Madison and the Nasher Sculpture Center or www.sawyercollection.com

Of course, I can’t get enough of this pink and have one on my desk!  What is your favorite?

xo

Alicia