Magpie Designs Offers Unique, Handmade Gifts for Valentine's

When you first walk in to Nancy OBrien's Summit accessories studio, you are captivated by the explosion of patterns and color. OBrien is owner of Magpie Designs, a jewelry and accessories line that she started several years ago with only one belt.

OBrien explains that she had a summer belt that she loved but couldn't wear in the fall. Her husband, OB, picked fabric for a new belt, a fall-colored monkey print which she made into a great new belt. After that, she and her daughter Bridget, who was then in fifth grade, started selecting fabrics and making them for gifts. That was the beginning of Magpie Designs.

"Also at that time I was doing a lot of traveling to Europe as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines," Obrien said. "On every trip I would always have my eyes open for anything that I could make into a belt." OBrien would find materials and buckles throughout Europe and hold onto them until she would find the perfect match for a belt.

"One of my favorites was a green delicately embroidered trim I found in the back streets of Mainz, Germany while walking with my best friend Heidi. I came home with enough fabric for two belts and held onto it until I found just the right buckle to go with it."

Magpie Designs has something for everyone and is much more than just belts, OBrien explains. She also carries colorful bags of all sizes, table linens, loungewear, scarves, wraps, hair barrettes and jewelry. These accessories come mainly from India and China and are made from silk screened cotton fabrics.

"I like textures and colors," she said. "Anything that can make you look a little unique."

One of OBrien's favorite pieces is a necklace made up of freshwater coin and tile pearls from China.

"These 'Alice's Accents' were my first necklaces named appropriately for my mom who always had the right lipstick and accessory for any outfit," OBrien said. These versatile necklaces, which can be worn in many different ways, come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are mixed with semi-precious stones, colored glass or crystals. 

Magpie Designs is managed out of OBrien's home in Summit and hours are by appointment only, although you can also find her products at TMC's Boutique in Sterling. She also will do home parties and participate in annual gift shows.  Her Web site will be up shortly as well, but in the meantime you can order great gifts for Valentine's Day and other upcoming holidays from Magpie Designs via e-mail at magpiedesignsllc@gmail.com and through Facebook.