We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By closing this banner, clicking or continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies. Read more here.
Our Blog
Catbird Spotlight: Natalia
Catbird Spotlight: Natalia
Natalia has been a member of our Jewelry Studio for almost 6 years!! She started as a bench jeweler making our Catbird Classics, and now she is in charge of training all jewelers on how to create our current styles and new releases. Never without a smile, Natalia is always the first one in the studio every morning - we love having her in our family of #catbirdjewelers .
Hometown: Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua. Mexico
Fun Fact: I’m ambidextrous.
Describe your style in 3 words: Passionate, stubborn, & ambitious.
Who are your Moon & Stars (A, E & T)? My moon is Angel, my husband. We’ve been happily married for almost 7 years. My stars are my two kids, Enzo is 3 years old and Thiago just turned 1.
How did you get into jewelry? I went to the University of Texas at El Paso to get a degree in art but when I took a Metalsmithing course to fulfill my class schedule, I fell in love with it. I find jewelry fascinating and I see all jewelry as walking sculptures that are exposed everywhere by anyone.
Favorite weekend activity? It used to be watching movies but now that I have kids, I enjoy a lot more going to the park, or the zoo when the weather is nice and museums during the winter.
Jewels that are on your wishlist? A new ring that we are about to launch but i can’t disclose it yet. Stay tuned, it will be released soon. I also love all the new charms: spider, shells... I want all of them!!!
Catbird Spotlight: Amelia
Catbird Spotlight: Amelia
Amelia has been on our merchandising team for over two years! She works hard to make sure we always have the best, shiniest pieces in stock for you kittens. Here's a little bit more about her!
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Fun Fact: I once ran into Andre 3000 on the sidewalk and complimented his jumpsuit. He was on the phone at the time, but mouthed back "Thank you" We are practically best friends.
Drink of choice: Coffee > Seltzer> Whiskey Sour
The key to happiness is: Treating others and yourself well, and petting lots of dogs.
Jewels that are on your wishlist? The With All Love Ring by Sofia Zakia! I love that the carving of the hand is articulated on the inside of the band as well. It could be smooth on the inside and no one would know, and the fact that it isn't feels like a cool design detail to me. I also love that it's inspired by one of Frida Kahlo's paintings, since I love FK! I'd wear it as a index finger ring.
Favorite New York haunt? The Met Breuer/Former Whitney. Love taking in the brutalist architecture and exhibitions, then having a cocktail at the Flora Bar downstairs!
Any Hidden Talents? I can flip a mean devil stick.
Catbird Spotlight: Catherine
Catbird Spotlight: Catherine
Catherine has worked as a bench jeweler at Catbird for almost 4 years! You may have seen her hands featured in our ongoing #catbirdjewelers series. Here's a little bit more about her!
Hometown: Portland, OR
Fun Fact: I left the country when I was 18 and lived abroad for 9 years.
Describe your style in 3 words: Demure, luxe & timeless.
What are you reading right now? Always The New Yorker
Drink of choice? Gin Gimlet
Jewels that are on your wishlist? Snow Queen Stud! The perfect amount of sparkle but not flashy.
Favorite thing about New York? So many things I can't pick one!!! The skyline, running in Central Park, biking over bridges, taking the Water Ferry, the diversity, the culture.
What sparked your interest in becoming a jeweler? I took a class in Northern Thailand when I was 19 in metalsmithing and stone setting, and have been hooked ever since.
Catbird Spotlight: Lauren W
Read MoreLauren is a Louisiana native that moved to Brooklyn last year to work for us! She is a bright light in our jewelry studio - always ready with a joke and a big smile. Here is a little bit about her and the work she does here at Catbird HQ!
Cyndle
In the Studio with Satomi Kawakita
Satomi Kawakita’s Tribeca atelier is a pretty perfect extension of her jewelry. Both her work and environment make use of warm colors blended with organic texture and geometric shapes. In a room supported by exposed brick walls and beams, under architectural lights, sits an oval shaped mid-century sofa and marble table. Every detail down to the leather serving coasters has a touch of Satomi’s hexagonal trademark. “I really like making and finding beautiful things; my heart beats for these things and those moments,” explains Satomi. “Even at home with friends, I like to cook for them and serve with the beautiful tableware that I have been collecting over time.”Over the past 5 years, Satomi has filled Catbird with her stone and shape compositions, and adorned countless brides with their own Hexagon Ring, designed to stack in a manner of self expression. We chatted with Satomi on her beginnings, what she’s excited to be experimenting with, and of course our mutual favorite topic of conversation, food!You’ve been working and designing in New York since 2008. What led you to this point?I graduated from Art College in Kyoto, Japan with a major in living product design. I studied not only design itself, but also how to work with and embrace different materials. In that time, I worked with wood, metal, ceramic and textile. But after watching a program on TV one day, really fell in love with the art of glass blowing and decided I needed to explore it. I began to take classes at a local studio in Osaka while still in school. Doing glassblowing for five years made me realize that I was more comfortable working on a smaller scale, with more detailed pieces, at my own pace. I started making some accessories with glass beads and found I couldn't find clasps on the market that suited the design. I thought it would be nice if I could make it myself; that's how my interest in jewelry making started.What was the first piece you made that really took off?It would have to be my Hexagon Ring. The geometric shape is timeless and resonates with a lot of people, it's our signature. The turning point was definitely my exposure on the former blog Unruly Things, written by Alyson Brown. She introduced some of my rings on her blog at the end of August 2010 and changed my world. That, and the day Catbird started carrying my line. Both of those 2 moments happened in late 2010 and my life has never been the same since.Describe your work in 3 words.Organic, delicate, simple.Are you experimenting with any new designs?I’ve been trying to make an Eternity Band with Pearls. I’ve been experimenting and trying this for years now, but haven't been entirely satisfied with the end result. I’m not sure if I can make this happen, but let’s see, I'm tenacious. My design approach has not changed for years and I don't think it will. My line has always been designs I, myself, would wear: organic, yet timeless. But I am always looking for new materials and something fun to work with like our One-of-a-Kind series.Who would you most like to see Satomi Kawakita on?My grandmother who passed away in 2013 at the age of 100. I always wanted to make a ring for her, as the Opal ring my grandpa gave her got too loose on her skinny finger. Unfortunately, though, it never happened.Browsing Satomi’s Instagram, you’re bound to be as mesmerized by the pastries as you are by the gems. We had to end our interview with Satomi’s Top 5 food picks in the city.Burrow, #1, of course. Ayako is an amazing artist and a great friend of mine. Not to mention the pastries are delicious.Kajitsu and Brushstroke for dinner. I go there when I need to treat myself well.The French Toast from Ladurée.What We're Giving: Anna
Anna is surprising her BFF with Leo Black Serpent Studs and a Rodin Lip Balm Ring, tucked into our new Swan Pouch and finished with a white ribbon. Anna wins at Santa this year! This concludes What We're Giving!xo,SriyaWhat We're Giving: Catherine
What We're Giving: Rony
Rony picks our new French Girl Sea Polish for her sister. “It has a real wake-me up quality that I love. AND it makes your skin feel like silk!”Pair it with the Tarot Deck travel candle and you are basically delivering the ultimate night in.xo,SriyaWhat We're Giving: Laura
Laura is sending her mom mini notebooks to toss in her purse while wedding planning. She’s getting married in the spring! And because they live on opposite coasts and because she’s the best mom ever, Laura also picked out the Kypris Moonlight Catalyst. “I like the idea of both of us having the same nighttime ritual.”xo,Sriya