Raw and Rugged - Elisenda De Haro Jewelry

Asymmetrical shapes and variegated colors
dominate jewelry by Elisenda De Haro.

The textures tend to be
 the first thing one notices.
She has created several collections but it's
her 'Arrecifes de Rubi' (Ruby Reefs) Collection that
easily captures my attention.

Made with oxidized silver, gold, and various
gemstones this jewelry is reminiscent of the
coarse, unrestrained formations of
 rocks, canyons and sea cliffs.

This jewelry evokes a spirit of
spontaneous, raw impulse.
And by oxidizing the metal, an unexpected
colorful patina helps to soften the surfaces.

Here are examples of her work that emphasize

 rich colors and unusual textures.

 

     This work is created thoughtfully and meticulously
yet the results appear spontaneous and raw.

I admire her innovations and experimentation

to push the boundaries of 

what jewelry should look like.

More can be seen at

Elisenda De Haro's website.

Innovative and Experimental: Stacey Bentley Jewelry

Innovative and experimental.

These are the words that come to

mind when viewing work created

by Stacey Bentley.

Using iron, wire, silver 

and enamels this artist is changing the

face of enamel jewelry and 

exploring a method of expression that

breaks away from traditional

ideas and processes.

Her work in enamel is unconventional.

Going beyond standard procedures

she creates pieces where the enamel rises

above the surface of the metal rather

 than fusing onto it.

By underfiring the enamel she

 produces gritty textures and matte finishes

that evoke the urban landscape.

This helps us understand her

fascination with the raw industrial

contrast of life, corrosion and decay.

Each framework she creates is also unusual.

 Shapes are organic, layered and

have varied thickness. Each contributes

additional interest and texture to her designs.

 Here's are examples of her work that emphasize

 rich colors and unusual textures.

It gets even more intriguing when she

removes some of the enamel to reveal

the metal framework beneath.

Geometric shapes are occasionally

 combined with her asymmetrical designs.

We like how she experiments with each

aspect of the metalsmithing process

 as well as the enameling process.

Each structure seems haphazard yet

controlled at the same time.

For those familiar with the smooth velvet surfaces

 of enamels and the painterly aspects of

its application these pieces might seem

unusual and disconcerting.

We are inspired by this artist's willingness

to push the boundaries of what jewelry should

look like and how enamels should feel.

We admire her innovations

and experimentation.

What do you think?

Marta Mattsson Jewelry

The first time we saw

jewelry created by Märta Mattsson

we felt intense curiosity.

She incorporates things like dead insects and
animal skins along with metal, resin,

 gems and stones into
her handcrafted work.

This jewelry is inspired by the artist's

childhood memories of the animal

and insect world around her. Things that

once caused fear or revulsion

have now become a source of inspiration

and creativity for her work.

She translates her memories and fantasies
into jewelry and invites people to experience

and marvel at the transformations.

She describes her work as follows:

Sometimes I see beauty in things that other people find strange or are even repulsed by. I become fascinated when there is something you do not want to see and the feeling you get when you do not want to look at something, yet you still do. My jewellery deals with the tension that lies between attraction and repulsion. I take seemingly inappropriate materials, making ordinary and familiar objects seem extraordinary and unfamiliar.

Her Rebirth series is fascinating and

eerie at the same time.

Here is a brooch made with a cicada, cubic zirconias,
silver, lacquer, resin and steel.

This brooch incorporates laser-cut calfskin and silver.

The delicacy is remarkable.

This necklace includes

butterflies, goatskin, nylon thread and gold.

Fascinating, disturbing, gorgeous.

This jewelry elicits many emotional reactions.

The craftsmanship is impeccable.

The creativity is amazing.

The final products are works of art.

What else can one say?