First Friday Art Walk – May 2019 – Featured Business: Castellano Fine Jewelry

Winslow Way, Downtown Bainbridge Island
First Friday of every month, 6-8 PM
Produced by Bainbridge Island Downtown Association
Sponsored by the City of Bainbridge Island

Once a month, Bainbridge Island Downtown Association and the City of Bainbridge Island present the First Friday Art Walk.

Spend an evening experiencing all that downtown Bainbridge has to offer, enjoy visiting participating galleries and businesses, have a glass of wine or other refreshments at various venues, and whet your appetite with small plates offered by participating restaurants. The walk begins on Winslow Way (near the ferry terminal) from 6pm to 8pm.

This month’s featured business is Castellano Fine Jewelry.

Connie Castellano has been making fine jewelry pieces for over 20 years, more than 15 of those years here on Bainbridge Island and the surrounding communities. She attended the Gemological Institute of America and The NW Gemological Institute, graduating Diamond Certified at the top of her class in 1994. In addition, she was awarded the Concept Design Award in 2001 and the Art of Jewelry Judges Award in 2008.

Connie’s timeless creations are exclusive pieces made with hand-selected and graded fine gemstones, and non-conflict diamonds in accordance with the moral and ethical guidelines set by the G.I.A. and A.G.T.A. She also enjoys transforming unworn pieces and heirloom gems into newly imagined custom styled pieces more suitable to your lifestyle and taste.

Her designs reflect architectural, organic and period-style with a contemporary twist. All Connie’s pieces begin with envisioning the concept, then she counter-sketches her design, and from there she creates a wax carving, using a “lost” technique that dates back thousands of years (to learn more about the process, click here). Once the wax model is complete, she stages the piece with gemstones and diamonds; if it’s a custom piece, this process is done while the customer is present (typically these wax prototypes are strong enough to try on, allowing the customer to decide on any adjustments). Once the wax piece is finalized, they are then cast in the metal of choice; gold, platinum, silver or palladium (a part of the platinum family of metals).

Connie’s jewelry reflects a beauty and uniqueness that can only be created by a true artist.

Castellano Fine Jewelry is located at 270 Madison Avenue S, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Open Tuesday – Friday 10am to 6:30pm, and Saturday 10am to 4pm.

*Artwork poster provided by Bainbridge Island Downtown Association
*Images of Castellano Fine Jewelry pieces by Nick Felkey Photography and provided by Connie Castellano