Inspiration

I’ve been an antique lover since before I was born. My mother has a passion for collecting precious, historic heirlooms and furniture that she imparted to me, and as soon as I was old enough to walk I was accompanying her on foraging trips. She would make an intriguing game for me out of finding compelling treasures and I was enchanted by the prospect of wondering what we were going to uncover and the inevitable priceless finds that always sprang up during our searches.  It was our very own “Antique Roadshow” all the way!

I looked forward to these special times with my mother. She taught me how to bargain and negotiate, and at 6 years old I could talk dealers down big bucks for that 100 year old German porcelain doll I just had to add to my collection.  This trait came in handy years later when hunting for jewels in New Delhi's burning-sage- filled bazaars and trading with Egyptian gem dealers in Cairo.

Beads were my first fascination. There was this mystical store in Mill Valley, California where I mostly grew up called Sundancer. You had to walk up this steep flight of old wooden stairs to enter the shop and step through a long beaded curtain to get inside. Smoke filled the air with a combination of Nag Champa incense and most likely marijuana. There were always a few of the coolest Haight Ashbury free spirit types in colorful clothes with flowers in their hair there to assist us. .  Sundancer sold hundreds of types of beads in every color imaginable; African trade, Murano glass, Moroccan bone and Nepalese prayer beads just to name a few.  When I walked in for the first time at age five with a nickel and dime that my mother so generously gave me to spend, I was spellbound.

I still get that same feeling when wandering into an antique market off the cobbled streets of Chelsea in London or when exploring the tiny shops along the ancient hidden alleys of Florence or when combing through rows and rows of vintage niceties beneath the rafters of a rustic barn in North Hatley, Quebec. . 

I recently returned from a fabulous trip with my mom to the French quarter of Old Quebec City and historic Montreal.  I was determined to purchase an emerald glass jar I'd been admiring from a shop window for days and went back five times until they finally decided to open the store for business.  I am enraptured by the intricacy of hand-painted colored glass objects, sterling and brass hallmarked carved boxes, and inlaid sparkly gem- encrusted jars.

I was inspired to share my discoveries with you so that they may bring as much joy to you as they do to me. My Treasures collection showcases my most cherished finds throughout my adventurous travels, featuring pieces found thousands of miles overseas in Europe as well as in some of the most historic towns in North America.

Many of my treasures bear a signature Alana Leigh insignia—a “love” heart or a bejeweled hand casted medallion—to add a finishing flourish to the timeless works of art. My treasures bestow luck and love upon your Alana Leigh jewelry and provide a chic and sacred protective place for your most precious pieces. Each collectable is either one-of-a-kind or a limited edition and all carry a unique story of how and where they were lovingly discovered.

Take a peek and see what surprises you uncover!

https://www.alanaleigh.com/creations/treasures/all

Images from left to right: Alana through the looking glass; Alana and her mother in Montreal at D'Emma's; The coveted emerald glass jar; Alana in Florence; Alana in Rome; An old rustic barn in Quebec.

I look at my life as a jewel box, collecting the pearls of wisdom in every day. I cherish the gems of truth that come to me as soft voices of encouragement, and revere the sacred treasures buried deep in some of the darkest places in my soul. What jewels can I bring back and share with the world?

In each Alana Leigh design I bring to life, I attempt to channel these precious nuggets of enlightenment, combining them with the powerful stone meanings that each gem carries. It is my mission to imbue the adornments I create for you with these keys I have learned, and to empower you to awaken to the beautiful, unique and radiant being that you are.

Unlocking the mystical treasures within and finding the silver lining in every day are enhanced greatly by the careful selection of jewels I put on each morning. These magical stones carry an inherent mystical energy within them. In ancient times, healers used stones for medicinal purposes, laying them on one’s chest to impart qualities like balance, grounding, courage, and tranquility.

Before I knew its meaning, I was instantly drawn to labradorite, an opalescent moss green gem lit by an internal fire which aligns with clairvoyance. When I wear a necklace ensconced with labradorite roundels or earrings encrusted with labradorite cabochons , I feel my intuition sing to me as clearly as a fog-less morning on the San Francisco Bay. I’ve had miraculous experiences, from the way I felt the moment I first saw my husband, to the instincts I followed for growing my business. The jewel also happens to match my eyes perfectly—a transcendent communion of color and essence, which makes labradorite one of my signature stones.

Choosing a piece for its meaning is as important as selecting a piece for its aesthetic beauty. Meditate on what speaks to you; perhaps it’s the courage inspired by aquamarine, the truth, love and faith emanating from pearls, the protection offered by amethyst, or the balance evoked by smoky topaz.

Enjoy my “Stone Meanings” page on my website . I have carefully prepared it for you to assist in opening up to the captivating transformation that takes place when you find that perfect match that lifts your spirit. When contemplating each creation, think: what kind of inspiration do I seek from this day? Then feel the energy flow from stone to being to soul. 

https://www.alanaleigh.com/stones

Images from left to right.: Alana and her husband Don; A treasure chest of Alana's jewels; Alana's labradorite encrusted medallions.

Success happens when you live the life you love, and by emanating that love, you share it with the world. When you walk in integrity and create products or projects that are in alignment with your spirit and moral values, you can accomplish your dreams. I have found that to fulfill a dream one must work very hard, courageously embrace obstacles, and step through the fear. I have learned that by facing the events and opportunities in my life that have scared me the most, I have achieved my greatest rewards and success.

All of my jewelry creations are infused with careful attention to every detail, and they carry a deeply evocative, meditative essence. The success of a business is about the desire and intention to offer something different, something unique and extraordinary that stands on its own. Success is about following through with your innovative ideas and holding true to your authentic core values and vision.

Through the years I have realized that true success comes from this: being fully present in the journey while knowing you’ll receive what you desire by genuinely and graciously appreciating what you already have. And most significantly, I have discovered the truth in the wisdom that it is not what happens to you in life, but it is how you respond to each situation and event that determines your quality of life and creates your future.

Enjoy each and every sacred, glorious moment! 

Images from left to right: Alana at home in San Francisco; Alana in Los Angeles. 

My first blog post, imagine that! The process of building this website has been a long road, from designing the artwork, to photographing my creations, to considering the story that will come to life on these pages. However it has also been a spiritual journey that has asked me to reach deeply into my soul to search for what matters most and what kind of business and self expression I want to create and share with you. Finally having a landing place, a real Internet home where I can reveal my art and my inspiration, is a celebration of all the hard work and dedication that has taken place over the past year.  

I've been designing jewelry since I was 13 years old; pukka shell and mother of pearl necklaces which I sold to small boutiques in Mill Valley, California, where I grew up. Between then and now my life has been a series of adventures and revelations, so it feels very synchronistic to begin a new phase right here on these pages, aligned with a feeling of renewal, rebirth and empowerment in my own spirit, my creative expressions and my life. 

Today my moments are occupied mostly by gratitude, while staying present and reverent for all the blessings that surround me. I'm excited to be here with you, sharing my reflections, ideas and experiences while offering my art for you to enjoy. Along the way, I will use this blog to share an array of things that inspire me,  show you my latest creations, and talk about the precious yet simple moments of daily existence that bring me such great joy and peace.

Thank you for joining me on this journey!

In gratitude,

Alana Leigh

Images from left to right; Alana at 3 years old in Hawaii; Alana in Tiburon, California; Alana in her San Francisco design studio.