The first pair of earrings David ever bought me was by designer Dana Kellin.  I discovered her collection of intricate, understated and ultra-feminine jewelry years and years ago at a boutique in  Portland, Oregon and immediately told David I needed a piece for my birthday.

And, as usual, he didn’t disappoint.

When I peeled away the packaging on that birthday present many years ago, I found the most beautiful pair of small, understated, wire-wrapped amethysts.  They were breathtakingly pretty and simple.  I wore them a million times then, and I wear them a million times now.

I love them.

Dana Kellin Designer Earrings

Since then, David has added a couple more of Dana Kellin’s creative, delicate, and antique-inspired pieces to my jewelry collection.  And I adore every piece.

So, imagine how super psyched I was when I was flipping through this month’s People StyleWatch magazine and saw an ad that stated Dana Kellin was designing a collection for everyone’s favorite big-box store, Target? 

I was super psyched, that is, until I touched it.

Dana Kellin for Target

The collection features necklaces and earrings ranging in price from $9.99 to $49.99 and seriously, I wouldn’t pay $.99 on clearance for it.  The pieces look and feel really cheap.  And the gorgeous wire wrapping Kellin is known for and adds to every piece of her high-end collection is no where to be found. 

I am so disappointed.  I appreciate that Target brings high-end designers and their collections to the masses so everyone can touch, feel, and own the pieces, but Dana Kellin’s collection in no way reflects her design taste, quality, or style.  And frankly, I’m surprised she allowed her name to be associated with with such cheap and uninspired jewelry.

The bottom line:  don’t buy it.  It’s cheap.  It’s plastic.  It’s boring.