Washington, D.C. - November 01, 2006

Paper Chase

Ayanna Jewelry

There are lots of things you can do with paper. Light a fire. Line the litter box. Write a letter.

What you can’t do, though, is wear it. (Something about tearing.)

Unless, that is, you’re talking about Ayanna earrings, bracelets, and necklaces handcrafted from recycled and fine papers by local designer Dana Ayanna.

Using a bead rolling technique passed down from her Trinidadian great grandmother, Ayanna combines vintage magazine pages with stained bamboo, gold, and silver, in bright colors reminiscent of the Caribbean, South Africa, and India. As in, a canary yellow paper chain necklace; a multistrand, multicolored beaded bracelet hand-leafed with metal flakes (for a little extra sparkle); and groups of green hoops braided with gold chain.

Buy a piece (or two) for yourself, and other people will take notice. They may even want to know where you got them.

Of course, no need to share the secret.

Just let them follow the paper trail.

Available online at artisticaya.com.