Valerie Peyton, a native of Virginia, has been creating her hand-made jewelry since 1983. Before landing at this point in her career she has worked as a tennis pro, model, singer, advertising graphic artist, and interior designer in NYC with her own firm, “Placelifts”. Now she travels 4 months of the year, mostly in the Far East, finding the unusual to incorporate into her jewelry and accessory designs.

The basis of Valerie Horn’s jewelry designs is ormolu (ór-mo-lu). Ormolu are bronze mounts that were used to ornament furniture, boxes, clocks and books primarily in French Louis XlV – Louis XVI periods.

By using lightweight metalic thread as necklaces and bracelets she found an ideal medium for jewelry. Applying the ormolu pins to the necklaces makes a stunning and bold personal statement. Lightweight is key!

Valerie prefers to sell her designs to small boutiques i.e., Bendels, Barneys, Ungaro, rather than to large department stores, which keeps her line more “exclusive”. Also she travels around the country showing at personal private parties and charity boutiques.

L’Atelier, in Rowayton, Connecticut, pictured below, is where she creates her jewelry and can be visited by appointment. Valerie will custom make pieces to go with personal wardrobes for special parties and weddings. Her clients love the easygoing $1,000 look for under $100.