Chocolate and Steel by Christine Street

Growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles my childhood smelled like oranges, tasted like avocado, felt like perfect cannonball into a cool pool, and every day looked like a new adventure. Whether it was making mud pies in the back yard, or playing with one of my family’s many pets, a sense of cheerful exploration filled my early days.
My parents encouraged my creative spirit and my natural curiosity. For most of my life my father operated a print shop. It was from the scraps of discarded projects that my artistic disposition found its spark. I delighted in making collaged posters for my room, personalizing everything with puffy paints, and designing wedding dresses. It was here, too, a seed was planted that would become a deep appreciation for small business and local products made with love.
Due to my family's ‘practical’ perspective on education, my artistic inclinations remained on the sidelines till college. It was in a 2-D design class that I knew I had found my passion! I transferred to the Fashion Institute of Design in San Diego where I studied fashion design. I worked in the fashion industry for 5 years and later become a full time merchandiser at Anthropologie. While working there I began to make jewelry and developed a loyal fan-base among the store’s customers.

The birth of my first child brought about a sea change in my priorities. I yearned to take ownership of my creative endeavors, and spend more time with my son. In 2007, I took the leap and transformed my jewelry-making hobby into my own business.

Chocolate and Steel is still handcrafted in my solar powered studio. Over the years we have grown into a small family including my Jane-of-all-trades assistant, and a small local LA casting studio. We take every care to maintain the integrity of American made products and processes with each step in crafting our jewelry. With frequent sketching at local cafes and neighborhood parks, my work also remains fused with my love of the outdoors and my playful spirit.

My husband and two children serve as the ultimate inspiration. Our family adventures bike riding, hiking, and visiting the zoo or a museum, keep my heart full and my creativity sharp! Through Chocolate and Steel I hope to return the favor and show them that a passion can serve dually as enrichment and a career. I believe that a life full of imagination and spirit is a life well lived. Chocolate and Steel allows me to share a little piece of that joy with the world.
To me, American made is about choice. It is about the ability to transform the world we live in through conscious consumerism. Every time you purchase Chocolate and Steel you are upholding the values of supporting small business, fair labor practices, quality craftsmanship from quality material, sustainability, and eco-conscious practices. Join me and raise the bar in business and personal practices through a return to simplicity, creativity, and spirit!

::About the metals that I use::
*Sterling Silver - Sterling Silver is also known as .925, which translates to 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper. This is the most common form of silver used in jewelry. It is very strong, perfect for rings! Most people have no reaction to the base metal (copper) in sterling silver as it is such a small amount. Sterling silver will tarnish over time. To minimize tarnishing, store in a jewelry box or bag out of the sun. If you need to bring back its luster, you may use any store bought silver cleaner or scrub with baking soda. The sterling silver I use has been reclaimed from previous manufacturing processes such as old jewelry sent to refineries. This is an eco-friendly selection. The chain included is sterling silver and made in the USA.
* 14 kt Gold Vermeil - Gold Vermeil is a heavy coating of gold over sterling silver. The gold plating process I offer is done outside of my studio by a local manufacturer and uses 14K gold. Because it is outsourced, please allow an additional 7 business days to process. Be aware that the gold can rub off over time. It is best to wear your jewelry often. When not wearing it please keep in a closed container (jewelry box, bag, or cloth) to protect the finish and delay tarnishing. Please use only a tarnish removing solution to clean the piece. Do not use a tarnish cloth as it will wear down the gold finish. It is possible to re-plate the piece, for a fee, if you wish. The chain included is gold filled and made in the USA.

Stones

All stones used in the collection are lab-grown or synthetic unless stated otherwise. Lab-grown and synthetic stones are not mined making them an eco-friendly selection. By not mining stones the impact to the planet is minimized and they are free of human rights conflicts.

Become a fan on Facebook to stay informed about sales and new designs:
http://www.facebook.com/ChocolateandSteel

Wholesale welcomed. Please email or convo me for a line sheet.