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Arts & Entertainment

Cathy Soltys Helps You Find the Perfect Valentine's Day Gift for Your Sweetheart

The local jewelry designer offers elegant and affordable options for the most romantic holiday of the year

Are you a last minute shopper? Stop by Stifel & Capra and choose from the many Valentine’s Day-themed jewelry options at the Joie de Beads studio and boutique. Jewelry designer Cathy Soltys is offering her entire collection for 10 percent off through the end of the month. Stifel & Capra is open seven days a week and closes at 5 p.m. every day.

“The boys have plenty of time to get in here,” she said of the upcoming holiday. “There’s no reason for them not to!”

Soltys said her favorite pieces for Valentine’s Day feature lavender topaz. She has included the unique stone in several different styles of necklaces, some with white pearls, and all of which are beautifully faceted with just a hint of lavender.

She also recommends her pieces that feature amethyst, the birthstone for February, and crimson-colored pearls with a great luster.

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Gentlemen can find something at any price point at Joie de Beads. Earrings start at $15-$20 and necklaces go all the way up to $250-$275.

The Falls Church resident specializes in simple yet elegant beaded jewelry for women who want to make a statement with classic, beautiful pieces. Soltys said her customers want jewelry they can wear for any occasion through the next few decades, not just something trendy they can wear for the next year or two.

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“Her jewelry is unique because of her creativity, excellent taste, original designs and well-chosen materials,” said friend and customer Ellen Feldman. “[Her pieces] can be worn with many things, both dressy and casual, and have a timeless quality such that they do not go out of style. I own many of her pieces and like them because they are each unique, well-made and remind me of Cathy, who is also a friend and a really wonderful person, as well as being a good artist.”

Soltys loves to pair pearls with gemstones in her pieces. Pearls are the most prevalent aspect of her jewelry and her classic pieces often include white pearls. Almost every piece of her jewelry is one-of-a-kind but she does repeat the classics, such as her white pearl knotted necklaces.

“I just love to be inspired by the pearls and the beads that I use,” she said. “My two favorite things about being a jewelry designer are buying the pearls and gemstones from my trusted vendors and watching a woman try on a piece, fall in love with it and take it home knowing that she will cherish it, wear it and hopefully think of me when she does.”

Customer Betsy Campeau makes a beeline for Joie de Beads every time she comes into Stifel & Capra.

“I love to see what new designs she has come up with,” Campeau said. “Just when I think I've seen it all, there is a new piece with a fresh design and beautiful stones.”

Campeau owns several Joie de Beads pieces, including a necklace that she describes as a real show-stopper. 

“It has an asymmetrical design and lays beautifully,” she said. “I always receive compliments when I wear it and I know that it will never be duplicated.”

Soltys launched Joie de Beads in 2006 and opened her studio and boutique at Stifel & Capra exactly three years ago.

“It’s really wonderful to be able to work here among so many talented people,” she said of the artistic hotspot. “It’s very inspiring. There are some really amazing women here including our fearless leader Theresa [Stifel].”

Soltys also participates in two to three craft shows a year, including the recent McLean Jewelry Showcase.

“The showcase is an event of 42 jewelers and it’s a really fantastic show,” she said. “McLean Community Center has a two-day holiday art and craft show in December and they don’t take any applications for jewelry vendors. It’s by invitation only and they only invite nine from the 42 in the jewelry showcase.  I was one of the nine invited to participate so I’m really proud of that.”

Soltys lives in the City of Falls Church with her husband, their two teenage daughters who she describes as “brilliant, funny and adorable” and their two retired racing greyhounds.

“I feel really fortunate and blessed to be able to do what I do and to have a loving and supportive husband and girls who think that what I do is exciting and cool,” she said. “It’s a really fun thing to do. When people visit me in the studio and say ‘Oh that looks so hard,’ I tell everyone it’s a labor of love because I really love what I do.”

Visit the Joie de Beads website for more information. Stifel & Capra is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

260 West Broad St.; (703) 533-3557 

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