I ❤️ Baleen

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This lovely maker was a happenstance find while in Seattle — meet Baleen! Billy and Leah started Baleen in 2013 when they saw a niche for quality, affordable handmade jewelry they decided to fill, and their fresh and sculptural jewelry is all handmade in Seattle, WA. Their jewelry is eco-friendly in a number of ways: about 95% of their materials (silver, brass, and gold-fill) are made from recycled metals, they are a zero-waste manufacturer, their nickel-free and conflict-free gold-plating facility is also zero-waste, and their packaging is printed locally on recycled paper made in Michigan in a green, water-powered factory. And besides all of this, their jewelry is just plain beautiful!

I fell in love with their Fifty/Fifty earrings when I came across them in the Seattle Art Museum store, then bought yet another pair of their earrings as I shopped at the delightful Butter Home shop at Melrose Market. Their Herkimer studs almost came home with me as well ~~and still might~~.

If you’d like to visit, Baleen’s workshop and storefront is located right in Ballard, or you can shop online to your heart’s content. Necklaces, bracelets, pins, rings… so many fun things to choose from. And as someone with a mild nickel allergy, I can vouch that their jewelry is comfortable and worry free to wear. Thank you, Baleen!