Hello! My name is Carmela but all my friends call me Mel. Feel free to do the same!
Welcome to Secret Life of Jewelry - a blog focused on contemporary art jewelry.
The goal for this blog is to encourage and inspire readers through the beauty, creativity, and spirit of independence seen in work created by jewelry artists around the world.
The goal for this blog is to encourage and inspire readers through the beauty, creativity, and spirit of independence seen in work created by jewelry artists around the world.
This blog is not about brands or commercially-produced jewelry. In fact, I believe the jewelry presented here is far beyond typical mass-produced jewelry. Contemporary art jewelry is unique, original, and usually each piece is one of a kind - basically, it's handcrafted ART that is meant to be worn!
So, what am I doing here? One of my pleasures in life is to celebrate The Independent: independent people, independent ideas, independent work. I
search for interesting, creative, cutting-edge jewelry created by
dedicated artists. If I could I would buy all the jewelry I find but I don't earn that much money . . . yet!
In the meantime, I am happy to be an ardent advocate for artistic work created by individuals who have an independent vision and are willing to share it; individuals who often work alone in their studios giving form to their ideas; artists with vision and the drive to bring their vision into material form.
Sometimes these artists struggle to make a living from their work. I believe by supporting artist-made work, one can support the vision and the artist. So whenever possible I like to suggest handcrafted jewelry be given as gifts (and worn as much as possible!).
In the meantime, I am happy to be an ardent advocate for artistic work created by individuals who have an independent vision and are willing to share it; individuals who often work alone in their studios giving form to their ideas; artists with vision and the drive to bring their vision into material form.
Sometimes these artists struggle to make a living from their work. I believe by supporting artist-made work, one can support the vision and the artist. So whenever possible I like to suggest handcrafted jewelry be given as gifts (and worn as much as possible!).
Selected
from around the world, each contemporary jewelry artist presented here is an
independent maker with a distinct style, unique vision and
exceptional skills.
I'm often asked what I like. My answer highlights the fact that I
most appreciate things that break through traditional barriers by the use of non-traditional materials. (Is that yet another sign of showing one's independence?). With
its emphasis on creativity over precious materials, contemporary art
jewelry can be created from almost any type of material including things like: precious and non-precious metals, cloth, paper, clay, zippers, velcro, grocery bags, polymer,
porcelain, plastic, found objects, resin, sugar (yes, sugar!), rope, wood, glass, newspaper, pencils, canvas, bicycle tires, cardboard, leather or any material that the artist decides may be suitably worn as adornment. Each of these materials are represented in at least one (and sometimes more than one) post on this blog. I guarantee you will enjoy exploring each artist and their vision!
Feel free to contact me if you would like to contribute information or just to say hello at secretlifeofjewelryblog@gmail.com
Or if you'd rather, come by and visit on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SecretLifeOfJewelry
Thank you for visiting !
Mel
