Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Floral Delights in Polymer - Elvira Lopez del Prado Jewelry

is captivating.
She has several collections but it's her
 Whispers in White collection
that really catches our eye.
Created using polymer and wire
these designs are dreamy and feminine.
The multitudinous swirls and loops
evolve into rings, necklaces and bracelets
that are punctuated with blossoms
that appear so realistic they
seem to have been plucked
 directly from a garden.
This particular necklace called
is made with polymer, copper wire,
anodized aluminum wire and gold sheet.
The creamy flowers seem freshly
gathered.






Most of her pieces have strong textural contrasts
that keep one's eyes
moving throughout the piece.




This next piece also shows continuous movement
as the tendrils curl and dance throughout the ring.
 The wire helps guide the eye around
the various and contrasting shapes.




Here's another view of this ring.
Each twist and turn adds life to her design.





This graceful neckpiece utilizes polymer,
copper wire, and silver sheet.




Malleable wire combined with floral elements
created from polymer combine to
become dainty and delicate pieces of jewelry
that look incredibly realistic.
These delicate and tender blooms are so lifelike
you almost think you're smelling their
 sweet fragrance.

For more info you can visit her website.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Upcycled Color - Tamra Gentry Jewelry

It looks like a gemstone called agate.
But it's not agate.
It looks like a metal-working technique
called mokume gane.
But it's not.
So, what exactly is it?
Old paint.
But not just any old paint. This is a hidden treasure that
has been salvaged from trash and re-purposed into
truly innovative jewelry by metalsmith Tamra Gentry.





Known as Fordite or Motor City Agate it is
made of layers and layers (and more layers) of
automotive enamel paint that used to be
manually spray-painted onto cars
at the auto factories during the 1960s and 1970s.
While the cars eventually left the painting
stations the excess overspray was left behind.
Layers of enamel paint built up over time on the
 walls of all those painting stations and were
 baked on repeatedly.  When this manual painting
process was automated the creation
 of Fordite ceased.








Salvaged Fordite is in limited supply.
And what was once destined for the landfill
 upcycles beautifully into exquisite jewelry.









This artist uses a variety of fabrication
techniques to infuse stylish new life into
 a manufacturing byproduct.
These pieces are definitely top drawer.









In a striking array of colors
these pieces are both stunningly stylish
and eco-friendly.









Pairing many of her pieces
with gemstones she cleverly provides
a stunning counterpoint to the
vintage auto enamel.





It's obvious that Tamra's technical skills
are superb and her designs are
innovative and very feminine.
One can consider them to be
artistic expressions set in silver.

We love to be enchanted and inspired by artists
 who are using objects that had a previous life
and creating something with a different purpose.

In this particular case, we're impressed that
 a substance that was truly
considered as wasted product for one industry
has become a valuable material for another.
For more information about these
colorful nuggets of beauty visit

Monday, September 19, 2011

Industrial Jewelry by Hila Rawet Karni

Recently, we were asked a rather
thought-provoking question,
"so what happens when industrial materials
meet contemporary jewelry design?"
Apparently the answer is, "you get inspired
 jewelry created by Hila Rawet Karni. "

Blending together a passion for both
 industrial design and contemporary jewelry,
 Hila expresses a distinct point of view
 by marrying a variety of
industrial materials like plastic components 
and metal springs to textiles, leather and pearls.

By transferring the skills and knowledge she
learned while studying industrial design
to the traditional world of jewelry she creates a
connection between mundane materials
 and a graceful aesthetic.
It's jewelry that suggests a feminine style
with an urban edge.

There are many pieces in her collections
that we simply adore. Here are a few
 of our favorites.

  Several of her necklaces are made with
silver-plated stainless steel springs and
hand-woven leather laces.




It's exciting to see the delicate potential in
 industrial raw materials and to have them
 be transformed into objects of beauty.






 
These earrings feature stainless steel springs,
Swarovski pearls and sterling silver.



She makes it easy to develop an appreciation
 for jewelry that is not made out of
gold and silver but is just as
beautiful and sumptuous.

These bracelets are made with
stainless steel springs and silicone connectors.





This artist is willing to experiment with industrial
materials to create items that can be appreciated
as adornment.  We're inspired by her ability
to see beyond the common uses
 of items and to expose their
hidden potential as jewelry.
Bravo!
Additional information and images can be
seen by visiting her website.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Marne Ryan Jewelry

Once Upon A Time . . .
there was a daily television program called
the Carol Duvall Show.  
It was a how-to program that provided many
expert demonstrations of crafting
projects all of them done
with a personal touch.
For me the best part of the show's format
was the inclusion of an interview segment
talking with various craftspeople.
The interviewer and camera crew
traveled to someone's studio and
the footage of the craftsperson
at work in their studio
 was always interesting,
educational and inspiring.
And utterly priceless.

One of my favorite episodes featured
Marne Ryan at work in her metalsmithing studio.
She provided a vivid demonstration
of her torch techniques to fuse gold to silver.
What really made a lasting impression
 on me that day,
and what I still carry forward with me,
 is her devotion for her craft.
Even though she's been doing this work
for well over 30 years her passion
still burns as brightly as her torch.


 
Her specialty is fusing high-carat gold onto
textured sheets of sterling silver.
 These sheets of mixed metals
are then transformed
into one-of-a-kind
 jewelry and sculptural vessels.

Here's an example of one of
her awesome cuffs.



She often includes rare and unusual gemstones.

The wide variety of choices (especially her rings!!)
is amazing.
 



Her work shows simultaneous delicacy and
deliberateness that's been translated into metal.
It's an unbeatable combination.
 
 
 
 


She creates a smorgasbord of
cutting edge designs.





Variations on a theme just continue to evolve into ever more strikingly
 beautiful pieces of art to wear jewelry.


The bottom line is that
no two pieces could ever be identical
and the never-ending variations in her work
provide an incredible array of choices.

There is no doubt that her passion
and her torch will always be sparked
by her never-ending inspiration.

More of her exquisite jewelry can be

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Exhibition - Wendy McAllister Jewelry

There's something about the enamel jewelry
  created by Wendy McAllister that
makes me smile every time I see it.

She has the ability to translate her ideas into
delightfully delicate and intricate compositions.
But there's more to her work than that.
Her enamel work expresses an optimistic
 point of view - there's so much
color and motion in her jewelry -
 it positively dances with joyful exuberance!




These pieces are so reminiscent of the pinwheels
we played with as children.





Her sculptural enamel brooches and pendants
showcase her avid interest in the colors and formations
of the natural world around us.  She explains
on her website,


"My jewelry refers to the botanical world with its riotous clash of cobalt, chartreuse, and crimson. I am drawn to the lush blossoms . . . All that sumptuous, unabashed beauty is purposeful, and it sweeps me away . . . ."





Many of her pieces are geometrical in design
yet exude an organic feeling and
her botanical inspiration can
 be seen in each piece.





And at times her bright enamels create a
kaleidoscopic effect.




This artist's work will be included in an exhibit at the
Mobilia Gallery in Cambridge, Massachusetts
from September 13 until November 12.

This exhibit is called,
"Objects of Status, Power and Adornment:
 The Studio Jewelry Movement 1950 - 2011"
and features the work of 100 international
 artists working in diverse materials
and techniques, and explores the history of 
studio jewelry over
the course of more than 60 years.

Some of the artists represented at this
exhibit include:

Marianne Anderson, Donna Barry, Donna Brennan, Sharon Church, Lisa Cinelli, Petra Class, Margot di Cono, Betty Cooke, Marilyn Cooperman, Valerie Jo Coulson, Susan Cross, Jenny Deans, Cristina Dias, Cindy Eid, Arline Fisch, Christine S. Forni, Emily Garfield, Lydia Gerbig-Fast, Joanna Gollberg, Elizabeth Goluch, Anna Gordon, Laurie Hall, Mary Lee Hu, Reiko Ishiyama, Janis Kerman, Daphne Krinos, Rena Koopman, Linda MacNeil, Wendy Wallin Malinow, Elizabeth McDevitt, Leah Meleski, Nancy Michel, Joan Parcher, Jeanie Pratt, Suzan Rezac, Kamilla Ruberg, Mary Ann Scherr, Joyce Scott, Helen Shirk, Marilyn da Silva, Christina Smith, Brooke M. Swanson, Beverly Tadeu, Manya Tessler, Rachelle Thiewes, Linda Threadgill, Cynthia Toops, Jennifer Trask, Donna Veverka, Mallory Weston, Heather White, Karin Worden


You can find more information about this exhibition

Monday, September 5, 2011

Exhibition - "Think Twice - New Latin American Jewelry"

There is a huge exhibit currently on view
at Bellevue Art Museum in
Bellevue, Washington called,

Open until October 16th, this exhibit
brings together more than 130 pieces by
over 90 artists from 25 countries.




Think Twice is the largest collection of
contemporary Latin American jewelry to
be seen in the United States.
The Bellevue Art Museum will be the
only location on the west coast to
showcase this extensive exhibition.



A few of the jewelry artists included in this exhibit are:

Mirla Fernandes, Kehisha Castello, Helena Biermann, Tota Reciclados, Martacarmela Sotelo, Kika Alvernaga, Silvina Romero, Elisa Gulminelli, Martha Camargo, Maria Paula Amezcua, Magali Anidjar,  Gabriela Horvat, Jimena Rios, Thelma Aviani, Alcides Fortes, Samantha Fung, Marie Pendaries, Renata Porto, Martha Hryc, Teresa Margolles, Paula Isola, Beate Eismann, Aurelie Dellasanta, Giselle Morales, Fiorenza Coredro, Francisca Kweitel, Alina López, Ana Paula Campos, Mariana Shuck, Stella Bierrenbach, Linda Sánchez, Ana Videla, Alejandra Agusti, Lucia Abdenur, Claudia Cucchi, Chequita Nahar, Ariel Kuipfer, Ximena Briceno, Julieta Odio, Nuria Carulla, Henna Lee, Alejandra Hernández Montoya, Laura de Alba, Mariana Acosta, Valentina Rosenthal, Laura Alvarado, Carolina Martínez Linares, Leda Daverio, Alejandra Solar, Carolina Hornauer, Raquel Paiewonsky, Lorena Lazard, Maria Constanza Ochoa, Ursula Guttmann, and Carolina Gimeno.



Many of these artists draw on the rich and diverse
cultural history of Latin America to create works
that are filled with historical and political significance.  
Most are unusual.  All are intriguing.



The collection as a whole reflects
 a dynamic mix of cultures, styles,
techniques and materials.


 
 
This exhibit will end October 16th.
You can see more information and photos
by visiting the museum's website.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Exhibition - Andrea Williams Jewelry


We admire artists who are fully committed
to a personal conviction
to create socially and environmentally
responsible jewelry.
During the month of September,
Santa Fe, New Mexico is hosting
an exhibition of jewelry created by
Andrea Williams called "Stones."
 She's an artist whose work
is devoted to creating jewelry
 that does no harm
to the environment. Every aspect of her focus
 is very eco-conscious
 and her work focuses on the use of beach stones.
 By using recycled/reclaimed
precious metals and lab-created gemstones 
she makes the statement that she will not
 participate in the industrial mining
 of gems and metals from the earth.
 

Her process begins by collecting beach stones
 found along the shoreline.  Using 18k gold
 and sterling silver she creates various kinds
 of bezels, links and hinges. She completes
the process by etching the stones,
inlaying precious metals, and
sometimes setting Venetian glass
or gems into them. 



These earrings are lighter than
one might imagine.


Her ideas are expressed on her website,


" . . . jewelry should not be worn as a status symbol,
but should instead bring us closer to the
earth that birthed the materials."






She honors the simple beauty
that nature produces and
enhances that simplicity
with a bit of elegance.
 

It's interesting to know her inspirations are
as simple as walking on the beach and studying
the details and patterns in the rocks.



 Patina Gallery describes her work as,
"Using beach stones combined with silver and high karat gold, Williams creates works of jewelry practically crafted by Nature herself. By embellishing the stones with a very light touch, she allows the stones their own voice."
This exhibit will run from
September 2nd through September 25th.
For more information you can visit
the 'Stones' exhibit page at