For Carolyn Kan, the woman behind Carrie K jewellery, designing is a rediscovered passion.

After taking a break from a long career in advertising, Ms Kan went to Florence to learn to be a silversmith. She eventually returned to Singapore and started Carrie K. in July 2009, she explained at the private viewing session I attended on September 4.

From September to December, Ms Kan will be organising monthly events for her cusomers and other interested people; giving them an opportunity to see the Carrie K. pieces up-close-and-personal, as they are generally sold online.

“I love meeting and chatting with customers and I’m often inspired by what people have to say (about the products),” said Ms Kan.

The Carrie K. Signature Collection, the most expensive of the brand, has prices starting at  $200 and is made up of limited edition pieces that use semi-precious stones. I couldn’t stop admiring a pair of earrings made up of slices of raw-cut amethyst and silver.

Younger women will like the very cute items in the Carrie K. Charmed collection; in particular, the Woman in Chains Handcuff necklace and other assorted charms.

Other pieces like the new Liquid Metal bangles  – thin rounds of rose gold, yellow gold and black gold – and the Infinity Cuff are best for delicate wrists and those with a more sophisticated style.

It’s not all feminine pieces, though. Ms Kan says her personal style is for chunkier de-signs which the Raw collection echoes. There is a series of stacked rings in particular, that I’m going to put on my wish-list. I also liked an all-metal ring that was moulded to look like a diamond ring.

Ms Kan throws in a little dark humour in her new Reborn collection – check out the Tough as Nails ring, which looks like a nail wound into a circle.

I'm not much of a jewellery person – I wear the same pearl earrings every day – but even I could tell the difference in Carolyn’s handcrafted pieces compared to what you see at a fast-fashion chain.

There’s a higher level of quality and thought put into each piece. For example, Ms Kan has her gems custom-cut in countries like India, South Africa or Sri Lanka, depending on where they originate.

Ms Kan’s online shop also features work from other artisans she admires. Currently, it's Renato Venturi, an artisan from Genoa whose statement pieces have a heavy maritime influence.

Carrie K. is available from www.Carriekrocks.com. The event was held at Truffs, a shop that specialises in handmade chocolate truffles and cake at 179A Telok Ayer Street, 9088 2736.