Lisa Jane Grant Jewelry

Mokumé gane is awesome.
It's a 300-year-old jewelry technique
invented in Japan that is mind-bogglingly
labor intensive and incredibly time consuming.
 The effects of all this time and
labor are elaborate. And worth it.

One of the best examples of this technique

can be found in work created

by Lisa Jane Grant.

 Mokumé gane (pronounced mo-koo-meh gah-neh)
translates as "wood-grain metal" and that effect

is what we find so intriguing. The finished

jewelry shows myriad layers of metals

swirling and flowing in all directions and 

the final effect is rich and exciting.

Lisa's collections are named after specific

exotic destinations she has visited in her various
travels, and each piece evokes a memory or
special fondness she feels for that location.

Here are some of our favorite pieces
from her collections.

These earrings have an intense rosy hue

that we just love. From her Luang Prabang

collection they're made with

18k yellow gold, 14k palladium white gold,

14k pink gold and sterling silver.

Here is a great example from her Jaipur collection
made with 18k yellow gold,14k palladium white gold,
and sterling silver. It's a reversible pendant
featuring the mokumé in front
while on the back it has patterned sterling silver
with 18k yellow gold accents.

And these earrings from her
Cusco collection have a great pillow effect.
They're made with 18k yellow gold,
14k palladium white gold and sterling silver.

Each piece is truly one of a kind.

The distinctive layered patterns

of mokumé gane are exactly what

we love - fluid, asymmetrical,

and downright mesmerizing.


Enjoy!

Judy Lazar Jewelry

Jewelry created by Judy Lazar
is distinctly bold and full of impact.
Her masterful use of the ancient technique
of lost wax casting results in
gold and platinum jewelry
that is naturally elegant and opulent.

It is very apparent that Judy has an
impassioned love affair with
gemstones in all their
spectacular shapes and colors.
This love translates well into her
jewelry designs.

She specializes in carving one-of-a-kind
wax models that she individually designs
 to set off each gem to its utmost beauty.
Each piece is then cast specifically for
that particular gem.
The result is a wonderful showcase
for the natural beauty
and color of the gemstones.

We have so many favorites;
let's take a look at a few.

We think this necklace epitomizes romance. 

This brooch is absolutely delightful.

 

Here's a great example of her signature
asymmetrical designs.

Her work evokes a marriage of superb

quality and meticulous design.

Every piece provides a broad

range of visual interest.

The gemstones are vibrantly colored.

The settings are exquisitely designed.

The overall effect is lush and elegant.

We love them all!

Clare Hillerby Jewelry

We love the swirls and flourishes

of old-fashioned handwriting.

Old letters and manuscripts,
worn and outdated, are quaint
relics from a different time.

Jewelry made by Clare Hillerby is
created from these old elements. 
We like her photographic vignettes

 that capture moments of time in
metal and paper ephemera.
Through her eyes we see something
worthless and transitory

 become something
 treasured and permanent.

The artist explains her work on her website:

Handwriting forms the starting point for my jewellery. Old papers with handwritten messages are sourced, postcards, letters, envelopes, and documents, along with other ephemera; stamps, linen maps and sepia photographs. Sections are extracted; messages become ambiguous, they are then combined with new metalwork, to create new contemporary stories. Contrasts of writing styles, scale, character, line, shape and colour are all important features, as are other opposites such as precious and non-precious, old and new. The papers are layered with oxidised silver with perspex on top and secured together with gold tube rivets. Semi-precious beads are added for texture and colour.

Here are some of our favorite pieces
from her collection.

This collage brooch is called
"Brooch from a Book Seller." 

It's made with sterling silver, gold, various paper
items, (ie postcards, photograph, stamp, map),
and a clear acrylic resin.

We also like this piece called

"Necklace with Found Elements."

It's made with sterling silver, gold, papers

(postcards & stamp), clear acrylic resin,

mother-of-pearl buttons, and sapphires.

 

We also like these oval earrings.



 

 

It's easy to find appreciation

and enthusiasm for jewelry

that brings new interest

and value to something

many would merely discard.

 

It is precisely because each piece

begins its life with old handwriting

and other old documents

that we find this contemporary

jewelry rather charming with its

distinct old-fashioned flavor.

 

Enjoy!

Dana Driver Jewelry

Many years ago, at a Northern California
event called “Celebration of Craftswomen,”
we came across an artist who creates
delightful jewelry made with river stones.

Each piece of jewelry made by Dana Driver

is a wearable piece of fine art

composed of panache, inspiration, and most
of all, a delightful touch of whimsy.

Sorted by size, color, and suitability for
her designs, Dana selects the best stones
to tumble, carve, drill, and inlay with fine silver
or 22kt gold.

By inlaying precious materials such as gold
or silver, she transforms something
as mundane as a rock into a work of
charm, elegance, and creativity.

And to top it off, we are enamored with
the idea that many of her pieces have
moving parts that encourage
playfulness and exploration.

Here are some examples of her work.

We love her Flamingo brooch

and this Channel bracelet

These flowers always make us smile.

and these earrings are the ultimate
in simplicity and tranquility.

All of her pieces are created with the utmost

in impeccable skill and technique.

We're always intrigued when

an artist combines precious metals

with more mundane items. In this artist's hands,
the beauty provide by Mother Nature

is deftly embellished with precious metals

that result in lighthearted pieces of

art jewelry.

Enjoy!

So Young Park Jewelry

The one-of-a-kind jewelry
created by So Young Park

is exciting and provocative.

Using traditional metalsmithing

techniques, she has a unique style
of working with gold and silver

 to create jewelry that is abstract,

organic and filled with texture.

Whenever we see So's abstract pieces

we experience wonderful reactions

that are both intense and intriguing.
We gravitate towards her work.

Her organic designs consistently

create excitement for us and we can feel

our spirits positively bouncing

with interest and joy every time

we see her work.

And we always want to see more.

While there are many fascinating pieces

to admire in each of her collections,

it's her Handcrafted Series that

inspires us the most.

Let's take a look at a few examples

of her incredible work.

we also love this dazzling necklace

and this pendant 

here's another phenomenal necklace

and this spectacular cuff





There is so much to admire

in all of her collections.

We are continuously inspired by the 

broad range of designs and the

incredible beauty of

each of these pieces.

And there are so many more to admire.

If we could, we'd collect them all.

 

Enjoy!