Vendor Chat with Mari Palmer of Bel Canto Designs

I was so excited to learn about today’s featured creative artist, Mari Palmer of Bel Canto Design, in part because she is a local wedding vendor based in Apex, NC which is located just outside of Raleigh-Durham and also because I am fond of these vintage jewelry. Bel Canto Designs is a unique company in that they “specialize in finding and restoring vintage jewelry and then giving it new life”. Last week, I had the opportunity to ask Mari a few interview questions about her company and products. They are as follows:

MP: It all started when my daughter was fundraising for a chorus trip. We worked together to make earrings for her to sell and it did quite well. After that, friends wanted me to do their daughters weddings and then every Christmas my friends’ husbands would come to find their wives presents. Then a little over a year ago, I signed myself and a friend up to do a wedding show. It was really to get her going in photography. It ended up being a launch for Bel Canto. The reason for vintage? As I was preparing for the wedding show, I came across a vintage haircomb and fell in love! It grew from there.

MP: Just finished a wedding where the bride described her venue, brought me her colours and I was able to design her bridesmaids necklaces. Sometimes a bride will have a photo for me to work from. Sometimes just a “feeling”. I can usually help her after I have seen the dress she has chosen…as well as the bridesmaids dresses. If the brides are local, I have them come over with their dresses. If it is online, they send lots of pics!

TD: How long does it take to restore these beautiful pieces of art and what exactly does it involve.

MP: My husband is the “restorer”. He is an engineer and therefore great withdetail work. He buffs them to remove old makeup then adds any missingrhinestones and/or touches up the silver/gold finish. It usually takes a fewdays but a group of pieces are done at once.

TD: What is your personal favorite piece of vintage jewelry you have restored thus far and what was your fascination with the piece?

MP: I don’t really have a favorite piece. I am afraid I am fickle and fall in love with new finds all the time! It is a joy finding a beautiful vintage piece with [a] nice flow of design and then envisioning it as another piece of jewelry.

MP: I couldn’t start any day without Jesus….and a cup of coffee with my husband!

Mari Palmer also tells me that she is “…a voice teacher with a full studio….mostly of teenage girls! Those young ladies have grown up and married. In some cases, I have done their jewelry. That is how I discovered I enjoyed working with brides to be. It was so much fun seeing the dress, hearing about the “vision” then designing the jewelry.”

To learn more about Bel Canto Designs as well as view more from her collection, please visit her by clicking here to visit her storefront’s website. Mari Palmer also has a blog, so please be sure to check it out regularly to see more featured products including custom designs.