February 2010 Feature - Acute Accent

Continuing the Artisan Feature series for February 2010:

Acute Accent is the creation of Shan Johnson Sevcik, who started making wallets and purses in frustration at the selection available to her. She has yet to come up with the perfect design, but is always working on it. All the designs for items made by Acute Accent are original - no patterns are used. Functional, durable, and beautiful are the goals for the items at Acute Accent, and with a perfectionist at the sewing machine, the quality of construction is excellent.

Shan started her business in early 2008, and it has been growing slowly but steadily. She hopes to continue this trend, as it is her only job and she is full of enthusiasm, new plans, and new designs.

Introducing Ana Maria Sanchez of Amaria

The designer behind Amaria is Ana Maria Sanchez. Born to Paraguayan parents, Ana Maria was raised in Houston, Texas. As a child, Ana Maria was impressed by her family’s South American style. She was taught the importance of style and an appreciation for all things handcrafted at an early age. Her mother taught her that women must always respect and adorn their bodies.

Ana Maria studied the native lace making in Paraguay called nanduti which means spider web. Her logo incorporates the nanduti. She pursued her love for design, studying fashion design and merchandising. The pursuit of luxurious, impeccably made designs fine tuned her eye for the exquisite.
Her family and friends encouraged her to pursue her longtime dream of creating her own designs. In 2007, Ana Maria started her own company. She is currently designing feminine, delicate, jewelry in sterling silver and 14 karat gold fill. Her designs catch and intrigue the eye.