Grammy-winning R&B star Alicia Keys is stepping up on her music career by launching her own jewelry brand inscribed with inspirational messages. 
Keys, 28, has collaborated with Canadian designer Gisele Theriault in a jewelry line called “The Barber’s Daughters” which features silver and gemstone pieces with quotes and poetry from iconic figures such as Gandhi, Buddha and Shakespeare. Industry sources said that one of the items, a sterling silver cuff, is inscribed with words of wisdom from the singer herself. That’s amazing… come to think of it, everyone, literally everyone has their set of inspiring quotes, so I’m kind of curious what could be Keys’ keys. “There’s a gorgeous cuff, it’s so beautiful, and it says ‘I am a superwoman!’,” said a delighted Keys after launching the collection in New York this week. Apparently for Keys, the progression from putting words with music, to inscribing jewelry, was natural. “As a lyricist I love words and I love things that kind of … hit you so hard to the heart,” Keys said. “I realised that this was another way to reach out to people and to really bring them inspiration in some way. If people tell me how much they love my music because it’s gotten them though a certain time in their life, I felt like this was an extension of music.”
The jewelry and accessories range from necklaces and earrings, to watches, cuffs and bracelets. The prices start from to ,500. “My favourite part about them was not only were they individual, one of a kind, something you would really cherish and hold but the words on them affected me so personally, they uplifted me, it made me feel good, want to hold it and wear it like a mantra,” Keys said. Meanwhile, “The Element of Freedom,” Keys’ new album is set for a December 15 release… though the ‘inspirational doesn’t go on sale until 2010. Enjoy some photos of Alicia Keys here:
(Feel free to click and zoom in on her. She won’t bite… unfortunately.) More on Alicia Keys here, including selected pictures: Alicia Keys is Vitamin Water Woman | 
