Upcycled Plastic - Rachel Darbourne Jewelry

Designing jewelry from
recycled plastic is what 
Rachel Darbourne does well.
With creative thought this artist designs
upcycled, innovative pieces that look
 more like paper or silk than plastic.
But they're not paper nor fabric,
they are made from
100% recycled polyethylene
 (the plastic found in supermarket bags 
and other packaging).

These pieces are appealing with their concentric

circles of different sizes and (sometimes) colors.

Who knew that a simple object like plastic

could be elevated into works of art?

 

 

In her hands this used packaging material
is repurposed into remarkable and colorful jewelry
that proves upcycling can be synonymous with
beautiful and inspired handcrafted work.

Be sure to visit Rachel Darbourne's website
to see more of this innovative work.
 

Vibrant Paper Flowers - Begoña Rentero Jewelry

Springtime flowers can help
revive a dreary autumn day -
especially when those flowers are handmade
 with silk and paper.
 

 Fiber artist Begoña Rentero creates
lush, layered, textural jewelry
in eye-popping colors.

 

 

  

  

   

Speaking of bright, cheerful fiber art jewelry,
if you’d like to revisit some of the

contemporary work previously featured

on this blog, there’s quite a lot to see.

 Click on each name to see designs

created by Ana Hagopian, Carol Windsor,

Francesca Vitali, Lydia Hirte,

Sabrina Meyns and Tia Kramer.

 

Each utilizes an innovative

approach to working in this medium,

most are self taught, and each of their creations

counters the preconception about jewelry

 having to be made with precious
metals and expensive gems.

And to see more of Begoña Rentero's work,
visit her delightfully cheery website.

Hiromi Suter Jewelry

Layers upon layers of metal.
 

A profusion of flowing whorls
and decorative flourishes.

Hiromi Suter creates several
collections of eye-catching jewelry
especially one called, Past Elegance.

The heart-shaped foliage formations
in this collection are carefully
hand cut with a jeweler's saw
and layered to create
three-dimensional effects.

The symmetry and repetitive elements of
her designs bring a charming

classical quality to her work.

 

 

 

 

There is a sentimental and

 stylized aspect of this work

that is reminiscent of old-world charm.

 

Visit Hiromi Suter's website to see

her other collections.

Floral Abundance - Izabela Safin Jewelry

Sweet dainty little posies made
by Izabela Safin demonstrate her
delicate workmanship
and her eye for infinite details.

She works on an intimate scale
yet the results make an enormous impact.
 

Each piece in her collection is
made with silver precious metal clay.
Each bloom, leaf and tendril is handcrafted
and individually applied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delicate and fresh florals dominate her creative style;

happily there is a lot more to see at her website.

 

 

 

Dramatic Designs in PMC - Lynn Cobb Jewelry

Jewelry created by Lynn Cobb ranges across
a broad spectrum of design.
From gorgeous florals inspired by
Georgia O'Keeffe and Judy Chicago,
to pieces reminiscent of nature, sea life and
architectural elements, each piece is a visual delight.

I find her Flower Series pendants 
 utterly dazzling and dramatic.

Working with fine-silver Precious Metal Clay,
and embellishing her work with elements
such as 22K gold granulation,
enamels and gemstones,
each three-dimensional design is simply stunning.

Here are a few examples of her
meticulous work.

 

To see more of her sophisticated

Precious Metal Clay creations

visit Lynn Cobb's shop.

Leather Flowers Everywhere - Tanya Igic Jewelry

No need to wait

until spring to see bright splashes of color.

There are flowers everywhere in the

 hothouse of leather-made

blooms created by Tanya Igic.

This artist knows a thing or two

about form, whether in the structure of

a fuchsia or a spring-fresh

chrysanthemum.

By trial and error, this self-taught artist

has learned her craft over the years.

And she has certainly learned it well.

Working with fine-grade leather

her design process involves a lengthy

set of procedures to cut and bind many

layers of the material to create a

single petal.

This artist has developed a keen eye

for graceful silhouettes.

When embellished with sterling silver

each bloom seems to come to life.

The work is labor intensive.

The results are beautiful.

Simplicity of line and form

can be seen in each bloom.

Each flower looks as though it

was just snipped from the garden.

Picturesque and dainty.

One almost expects to see

dewdrops on the petals.

These full-bodied compositions

will remain fresh forever.

Each burst of color

brings springtime just

a little bit closer.

Leather jewelry can be interpreted

 in so many ways.

We admire how this artist's interpretation

 includes a strong sense of drama and élan.

You can see more at the artist's website.

Floral Delights in Polymer - Elvira Lopez del Prado Jewelry

Elvira Lopez del Prado's 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.