Kristen Lora Jewelry - Variety in Style and Technique

Variety usually means having an assortment of things. In the case of jewelry created by Kristen Lora, we would have to say that variety means so much more than that; we need to use a word like abundance to describe her broad range of work.

Inspired by bold shapes, color and movement, Kristin designs jewelry that is meant to flatter and entertain. Believe us when we say, Kristin Lora delivers an abundance of entertainment. She has so many collections of jewelry to view; yet in this post, we will admire just a mere handful.

Always appreciating color and natural elements, Kristin focuses on creating beautiful and artful jewelry. Most are made with sterling silver. She creates all her pieces with the utmost in impeccable skill and technique. This intricate brooch is from her Tubular Collection





Her metalsmith skills are impeccable and all her designs are meticulous and sophisticated. These earrings are from her Felt Collection




This jewelry is both unique in its composition and cherished for its value. Often the artist adds a touch of whimsy. Here is another delightful piece from her Felt Collection




From the Circle Cluster Collection



Here is another example from the Circle Cluster Collection





And we haven't even touched on half of her collections. Yes, there is so much, much more. It's a mind-boggling abundance of jewelry all offered by the same artist.


What inspires you to create?

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Harriete Estel Berman Jewelry - Recycled Jewelry for the Artistic Soul

Novelty sets our world on fire. Innovative, novel pieces of jewelry intrigue us. The recycled, novel pieces handcrafted by Harriete Estel Berman are not only intriguing - they are downright awe-inspiring. While Harriete is known for her eclectic use of found/recycled materials in a diverse range of things (like teapots, teacups, sculpture, wall pieces, and art installations), we find her jewelry to be the most fascinating examples of her work.

This visually-dynamic piece is called Column Bracelet with People in Black Hot Air Balloon - note that the interior of the bracelet in made from a Tomato Sauce tin. Two-sided pieces seem to be a signature aspect of Harriete's work.



Hard to believe this work of art is made from the lowly, recycled tin can. But as Harriete says on her website, her work is more than just the recycled materials.

"Post-consumer tin containers recycle our unconscious consumption of advertising, marketing, and possession as identification. The materials are not as precious as gold or silver but in many ways reflect more accurately the values of our society."



Many of the product sources are easily recognizable.



While the materials may be common and ordinary, her craftmanship is impeccable and she expresses herself eloquently:

"The recycled tin containers used to construct this work are diverted from a destiny as trash, revitalizing the mundane into the extraordinary. Most importantly, the use of recycled packaging as a medium and source of content addresses a spectrum of social and political issues.

Conspicuous consumption as a cultural norm flourishes in the rapid-fire pace of changing styles, models, and merchandising ? and even influences the marketing of art and craft. My work questions whether creativity, content, and craftsmanship are becoming yet another disposable commodity. Hopefully, this work transforms the viewers' awareness of their participation and challenges their own complacency."

Here is a representative sampling of her Series of Bracelets. Again, each is distinguished by having two sides of gorgeous detail to enjoy.



Many of Harriete's pieces are evocative. After collecting recycled materials for twenty years and creating jewelry for at least that long, we imagine that one has to, at some point, delve into deeper cultural issues. Here is a bracelet that includes the recycled tin materials yet incorporates so much more. It is called Yellow Altoid Beach Bracelet with Antenna.



We find ourselves thinking a bit more deeply about the cultural significance of disposable items and their new, improved uses as jewelry. Truly, here we have an artist who is inspired not only by beauty but also by the beauty inherent in the mundane, the disposable, the ordinary.

How are you inspired by the world around us?

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Donna D'Aquino Jewelry - Architectural Ideas Expressed as Art to Wear

Lines can be curved or straight. Circles can be wobbly or stiff. Triangles can be all of the above. Jewelry can be based on the artistic view of line as rendered in an architectural manner, and the final effect of creating jewelry can be architectural in its effect. Architectural might be an apt description for jewelry made by Donna D'Aquino. Made from wire and sometimes dipped in plastic, each piece vibrates with layers and texture.

This piece is called Wire Bracelet #14



Her work seems rather straightforward in concept, yet multi-layered and complex in execution. As Donna states on her website,

"This body of work is based on line and the act of drawing. I use wire in place of charcoal or pencil to create three-dimensional drawings for the body and wall. The work is inspired by interior and exterior architectural structures such as bridges and telephone towers. "

Here we see her assortment of Chains



We find it intriguing to be asked to think beyond the ordinary usage of jewelry as adornment. Donna says it well on her website,

"It is important to me that an object function both on and off the body. These pieces when not being worn are meant to hang on the wall by a single nail as a drawing floating in space."

This is called Wire Bracelet #59



These are called Thin Line Earrings




Layers and textures. . . as far as the eye can see. Circles, rectangles, triangles; numerous architectural variations on a theme. There is a sense of solidarity in her work. While each piece is consistent in design and flavor with the previous piece, it is the sense of delight one experiences when viewing the next piece in the series that inspires one to envision not only wearing each piece but also to enjoy its artistic merit while viewed on one's wall.

Here is an amusing brooch. And yes, it would be fun, not to mention mesmerizing to view this piece hanging on the wall to be admired as art.

Brooch 4N Steel/18kt



We are intrigued by the layering of lines and the architectural structures she creates by these layerings. So much of Donna's work reminds us of decisive, insistent line drawings rendered in three dimensions. Here is our favorite piece, called Wire Neckpiece 42L.



Here we have an artist who is so clearly inspired by line, drawing, and architectural shapes.


What do you find inspiring?


How do you decide what to focus on and what to ignore?


How is your artistic world view shaped?

Tell us what you think. We always invite comments.