Gisèle Theriault began to pursue jewelry design in 1990 while she was expecting her third child, a son. He was born five years to the day of her father’s death. Her father was the village barber, intrigued by stories of humanity and their symmetries her father was a passionate listener as the barbershop echoed with stories.

When he retold many of the village’s tribulations and triumphs around his family supper table the stories became imbued with a sense of human proportion and achievement. The spirit of these stories remained in Gisèle’s mind for many years as she traveled throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

The stories told through Gisèle’s jewellery and watches combine the influences of diverse culture and times, and of course, the spirit of a gentle man and a wonderful storyteller. Thus the dedication of the Barber’s Daughter.

Alicia Keys has influenced many lives with her soulful, heartaching piano-driven songs for almost a decade.

Now that the 12-time Grammy winner has established herself as one of music's brightest stars, Keys is ready to inspire others — without singing a tune.

Keys is launching AK Worldwide, a new company that will handle the singer's projects, especially those outside of music.

"It really explores the ways I can affect the world in a positive way, even outside of music," Keys said in an interview Tuesday.

"It is really about finding ways to bring forth things into the world that will give you and all the people that encounter them, and myself, inspiration," she said.

The first project for the 28-year-old is The Barber's Daughters, a handcrafted jewelry line engraved with messages of hope and wisdom.

"The words, when you read them, they really do resonate with you. They kind of inspire you to want to find that place in yourself," she said, sporting a silver oval ring that read: "May you find inspiration and meaning soaked in the wonders of the imagination cradled in compassion of the heart and hold a will to make difference."

-By MESFIN FEKADU