Emily Watson Jewelry

I recently came across innovative

jewelry created by multi-talented

 metalsmith Emily Watson,

and as I read about her ideas and the multiple

processes she uses to create her jewelry

I found myself becoming increasingly more intrigued.

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Among her varied range of collections my favorite
 is the Smoke Proof Collection which 
combines enamel with sterling silver.

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However this collection is comprised of a

more labor-intensive range of elements

than one would ordinarily expect.

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 She begins by combining

 etching and printing techniques

to pull paper prints of her designs.

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But that’s only the first layer of work.
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She then uses the etched copper plates

as a base for her enameling and

metalsmithing processes to create jewelry.

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I especially like how she describes

her process and motivation.

Here's a portion of her detailed explanation.

 

Smoke proofing is a process originally used by

type cutters. As the shape was being cut,

progress was tested by blackening the image with

soot collected from a candle flame and then

printing it on paper . . . The idea of the smoke proof

appeals to me for several reasons.

The type of enameling I use most frequently,

champlevé, is closely tied to methods of printmaking.

A copper plate is etched to produce low areas

(which are filled with enamel) and raised fields . . .

I began this series of work thinking of the pieces

simply as playful experiments in printing an image

from one material to another . . . The marks left speak

about what is not present. The processes used to make them

are temperamental and difficult to reproduce . . .

The heated plate acts like the brief flash of heat that

turns powdered enamel to a solid glass surface.

It imprints a memory, and that

memory then becomes a piece of jewelry.

 By understanding the various elements of
her work I can see more layers of interest
in each piece.

 

 

Her innovative combination of techniques
and  her spirit of exploration
captures and inspires
my imagination.
It is work that's created
thoughtfully and meticulously
and the results show it.

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 Be sure to take a look at the entire range
of her work on Emily Watson's website.

 

Gold With Silk - Lynsey Pluck Jewelry

Lynsey Pluck creates jewelry incorporating

 ethically-sourced precious and 

non-precious materials.

Her current designs combine 

18kt gold and gemstones with 

intriguingly-colorful recycled sari silk.
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Some of her pieces showcase the 

intensely-colored silks utilizing just enough

 metal to create a bold setting.

 

Other pieces allow her metalsmithing techniques

 to shine while incorporating just enough

 silk fabric to serve as focal points.

 Each combination of metal and fabric

is eye catching. 

 

You can see more of Lynsey Pluck's work

on her website.

Delicate Yet Strong - Daniela Osterrieder Jewelry

 Distinctive gold jewelry created by metalsmith

Daniela Osterrieder is astonishingly delicate,

elegant, simple and sophisticated.

 

There seems to be a subtle connection

among all her pieces - an illusion of

delicacy hiding the true strength of the metal.

 

I love the delicate wispiness of this bracelet

made with incredibly thin, smooth strands of gold.

 



 

 

 

Her work is dainty even when mixed with red rubber.

 

 

This brooch always captures my attention.

It reminds me of cobblestone streets found

throughout Europe.

 



 

This artist proves gold is truly a soft metal.

It lends itself well to these exquisite designs -

so many seem to be as finely textured as silk.

 

More information about Daniela Osterrieder's work

can be found at the Charon Kransen Gallery.

 

 

 



She Tells A Story - Becky Crow Jewelry

Becky Crow likes to tell stories through her jewelry.

 

The plots are simple,

the subject and action easily discerned,

and each piece evokes genuine feeling,

doing so by showing—not telling.

Every piece in this collection

has its own personality and its own story to tell -

a wonderfully expressive

slice of life full of mood and detail.

 

This series features imaginative,

heartwarming characters that seem

to be infused with

emotion and thoughtfulness.

 

See more at Becky Crow's website.

Graceful Yet Intense - Carrie Bilbo Jewelry

Occasionally, one desires designs that are rough-hewn;

something that definitely shows the hand of the artist

and an intensely personal approach to design.

Such is the work offered by Carrie Bilbo.

Her designs lend themselves to meandering

thoughts and daydreams.

I find myself captivated by her asymmetrical

designs that swirl and spiral.

Each combination of

shape, contour and texture

seems like a little

piece of wearable modern sculpture.

 

 

Raw and edgy. Graceful yet intense.

All at the same time.

Each piece is visually and tactilely intriguing.

See more at Carrie Bilbo's website.

 

Wendy Edsall-Kerwin Jewelry

Metal collars that wrap around the
neck in sultry swirls and
asymmetrically-shaped rings and pendants

are just a few examples of the gorgeous

handcrafted jewelry by Wendy Edsall-Kerwin.

Made with sterling silver, copper, 

gemstones and even river rock

  this jewelry evokes a spirit of

spontaneous movement.

I like how the artist innovatively

explores contrasts such as,

rough with smooth, light with dark,

and precious with non-precious.

 

 

See more of Wendy Edsall-Kerwin's work on her website.

Enamel Fascinations - Liz Schock Jewelry

A friend recently sent me a link

to Liz Schock's jewelry.

I found several collections to admire then

realized her enameled bracelets alone can

provide hours of delightful exploration into the

depths of nuanced color and amazing form.

 

Here are some pieces I find

especially absorbing but I will include a note of

playful caution - wearing them

at work could be distracting!



 

 

 

Visit Liz Schock's website and Facebook page to see
 all of her collections
of handcrafted jewelry.



Exploring Wabi Sabi - Mariko Sumioka Jewelry

Mariko Sumioka combines aspects of Japanese 
architecture with the Zen concept of Wabi Sabi 

to produce intriguing, colorful jewelry.

Inspired by temple architecture
 (especially rooftop shingles)
this artist works with materials like bamboo, 

gold, silver, copper and pearls.  She explores textures
 and colors using techniques like enameling,
soldering and patination to achieve a delicate blend of
wabi sabi and urban sophistication.

The distinctive aesthetic of wabi sabi (finding
 beauty in the impermanence, imperfection 
and incompleteness of all things), is
precisely what attracts me to her work.

 

Here's an example of bamboo with pearls.

Reminds me of ice crystals.

 

 

This artist has also collaborated on several projects with

fashion designers as seen with these unique
bangles and neckpiece.
I love the patination on the bangles.
 

 

See her entire collection at Mariko Sumioka.