New York City’s East VIllage neighborhood is a known hotspot for its plethora of quaint eateries, rowdy bars, and most of all, for its hodge-podge of random little shops – from vintage consignment to handmade chess pieces, this neighborhood has it all.

Tucked away in one particular corner of East 9th Street, just a few steps short of a dingy tattoo parlor and a worn bookshop, there is one small store that houses VERAMEAT, a collection of handmade jewelry designed by Ukrainian former model Vera Balyura, a self-proclaimed “teller of winding tales in search of the extraordinary.” The East Village shop itself is a cozy nook with walls, shelves, and hanging displays of the handmade creations, as well as the designer herself and her adorable canine.

Her pieces are personal, and best described as weirdly quirky. Each is unique, and highlights the fine details as testament to its one-of-a-kind charm. From antlers and astronauts to bicycles and vampire fangs, VERAMEAT is seemingly disoriented in its commonality but with close observation, you begin to notice the designer’s love for earthy, natural whimsy as her unified aesthetic.

IBSENS BUCK RING

CAMERA OBSCURA NECKLACE

DINO EATING FRIED CHICKEN RING

VAMPIRE CROWN RING & VAMPIRE LUCK NECKLACE

PINTSIZE COSMONAUT NECKLACE

VERAMEAT has gained considerable press and celebrity attention for its peculiar appeal, with die-hard fans including Elle and Dakota Fanning, Khloe Kardashian, and Tilda Swinton. With its flagship location in Manhattan, VERAMEAT is also available throughout Brooklyn, LA, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Texas, Chicago, and Florida, as well as internationally in Australia, Denmark, and Spain. Of course, it is also accessible from anywhere via its website.

Check out VERAMEAT on Twitter: @verameat