Vancouver-Based Jewelry Line Sugarlime at the 2011 Academy Awards

Local designer Karen Buder has received a very special honour: her jewelry line, Sugarlime, will be featured at the 2011 Academy Awards.

Sugarlime has been asked to contribute some special pieces to the celebrity gift bags, along with $100 gift cards.

And this isn’t the first time that Sugarlime has catered to a red-carpet crowd.

“We did the Toronto Film Festival and the Emmy Awards so that gave us some experience,” said Buder in a recent phone interview. “But being asked to participate in the Oscar gift bags… I mean, that’s a whole other level!”

The Erin, Dakota, Grace and Alexandra pieces picked for the gift bags are among some of Sugarlime’s most exclusive designs. Karen describes them as “very eye-catching and show-stopping,” so definitely well suited for a prestigious event like the Academy Awards. “You have to look at your clientele, your demographic and select accordingly,” she notes.

This is a dream come true for an impressive businesswoman who, 10 years ago, didn’t even think about owning a jewelry business.

“I didn’t expect to be a designer, let alone a [design for celebrities],” says Buder. “The idea sort of formed in 2003 while we were backpacking through Asia… I’ve always had a passion for fashion and I love PR, sales and marketing, but I didn’t realize how much I loved that until we started the company.”

Sugarlime’s classic, feminine designs are inspired by many different sources. “There’s a lot of things that inspire me,” says Buder. “Sometimes it’s colours, sometimes it’s textures, sometimes it’s just the sights around me from traveling or even just being around town.”

Looking ahead, Buder is very optimistic about what the Oscars opportunity will mean for her company.

“It’s an amazing opportunity that will definitely catapult the company into the spotlight… pre, during, and post Academy Awards.”

“It’s an amazing feeling to get our designs and our products and our brand that we worked so hard on for eight years out internationally and to have it at such a prestigious event. To have celebrities wear it… you can’t ask for anything better than that.”

Sadly, the Sugarlime staff themselves will not be able to attend the Oscars due to scheduling conflicts, but that won’t stop them from making plans for next year. “We definitely have [the next Academy Awards] in our plans,” says Buder enthusiastically.

You can follow Sugarlime on Twitter or find them on Facebook and join the ever-growing fan base that includes celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Feist, Rachel McAdams and Sarah McLachlan.