By day, Danielle Tavan sells insurance. By night, she crafts wire-wrapped, jeweled bangles. 
Tavan was introduced to making handmade jewelry at an early age. Tavan said she and her mom used to make jewelry together, and recently she has turned that pastime into a business, Deux Luxe Designs.
It can be found as “ShopDeuxLuxe” on Etsy and consists of a variety of handmade bangles.
Tavan graduated from the University with a mass communication degree in May 2012 and now she works for State Farm in New Orleans. 
She said she had no plans to start a jewelry business, but this August, she decided to turn her hobby into some extra cash by opening the Etsy shop.
Tavan gets her materials from a wholesaler and uses a variety of different stone and wire designs. The bangles consist of differently shaped and colored stones or beads all wrapped and strung around gold or silver wire. 
Tavan said she decided on bangles because she always wears a variety of “arm candy.”
“I always have a bunch of bracelets on,” Tavan said.
Tavan has a strong Louisiana connection. Born and raised in New Orleans, Tavan specifically designs bangles for the region’s two popular teams, the New Orleans Saints and the LSU Tigers.
“Of course I had to do a tiger one,” Tavan said.
The “Geaux Tigahs” bangle consists of gold wire and purple stones. The stones are large and bright while the wire shines a deep gold. Tavan said the bracelets are a perfect complement to a game-day outfit while also fitting for day-to-day outfits.
Tavan’s Saints-inspired bangle is a two-piece set. The “Oh When the Saints” design consists of two bangles, one with black, round crystal beads and one with gold. Both bead colors are wrapped around gold wire.
These bangles can be used as the finishing touches to any Saints game day outfit. If New Orleans isn’t a customer’s preferred team, the bangle set is also suitable for any outfit that needs a chic touch of black and gold.
Tavan said while she curerntly only makes bracelets, customers have asked for more jewelry options. A design expansion into rings and necklaces is in the works, she said. 
She said while some of her merchandise is southern Louisiana-inspired, she wants her business to extend to more than just Louisiana-based sales. Tavan said she does have some out-of-state customers but would like to see that number grow.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Danielle Tavan

"Geaux Tigahs" bangle