Like most little girls, Ellen Ikemoto loved to play dress up when she was a child. She relished wearing her mom’s old dresses, high heels and jewelry. She’s also been crafting for as long as she can remember. Her earliest memory is of making a Chanel-inspired evening coat for her first Barbie, out of her dad’s old leather bomber jacket with a faux fur collar.
With creativity making an appearance at such an early age, it was no wonder she leaned towards the arts for her higher education. She earned a BA degree in both Home Economics and Art, and a Master’s degree in Art/Design from Fresno State.
Years later, she found herself full circle when she purchased her father’s house and moved back to her childhood home, away from the stress of the big city, away from the corporate life, away from the bohemian lifestyle she had been used to.
Dealing with the distress of having to embrace a totally new lifestyle, she found solace and sanity in creating jewelry and handbags. In 2005, she opened Ellen Ikemoto Design – handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry, kimono purses, cuffs, and scarves with an asian aesthetic.
Her inspiration came one day as she was cleaning up a closet in her father’s house, her new home. She found her mom’s ancient suitcase hidden behind cardboard boxes. It brought back childhood memories of her mom opening the case to reveal her beautiful wedding kimono and all the other exquisite things that came with it – colorful silk scarves and sashes, decorative cords, tiny brocade purses, hair ornaments, and golden fans. It is at this point that Ellen realized she wanted her design shop to be just like her mom’s old suitcase – filled with old treasures, memories of her parents, her childhood and all things beautiful. In a sense, she’s creating her own suitcase and in it, she wants her clients to feel the wonderment she felt and savored as a child.
We received necklace #713 from Ellen Ikemoto Design’s jewelry collection. It is a one-of-a-kind necklace made out of a labradorite rectangular donut, assorted gemstones, amazonite, and a vintage pendant from Ellen’s brother’s 60’s neru jacket ensemble. Its length is adjustable from 14 ½” to 19”. It retails for $48.
What a find! So unique and artsy, I just absolutely adore it! In clothing and accessories, I have a tendency towards pieces that are different, that express my individual sense of style. This necklace totally hits the spot. I love the fusion of the different materials, textures, and shapes. It gives off a bohemian feel that is casual, yet sophisticated at the same time.
As soon as I received it, I knew what I was going to wear with it and where. My niece’s graduation was coming up and I had a button down shirt that was a perfect match for it. Mine had pinstripes but it’s also gorgeous with a white button down like this Balloon Sleeve Blouse by Bailey 44. Dress it up with a black pair of jeans and stilettos and your outfit’s complete. My mom just loved it because it was so distinctive, she had never seen anything like it before and neither have I.
For a one-of-a-kind necklace, the $48 price tag is a steal. The only thing you have to watch out for is the closure. It was poking my neck a little bit but no big deal, it’s miniscule compared to the joy of wearing such a beautiful piece. Even though this necklace is no longer available, it is one-of-kind after all, Ellen Ikemoto Design has so many other pieces you can choose from and at the prices they’re offered at, they won’t last long so hurry on over before somebody else grabs the one with your name written all over it.
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