Gemstones Weaved Into Design - Cynthia Downs Jewelry

Integrating traditional metalsmithing techniques with textile

techniques is a signature feature for Cynthia Downs.

 

She combines techniques from both disciplines

to create sculptural jewelry.

 

As she describes her work, Cynthia says,

  “Weaving is truly a meditative experience,

which also taught me patience.”

 

Cynthia’s design process centers around the stone.

She describes it as,

 

“Sometimes the stone may command a more elaborate setting

to tell its story.  However, there are times it’s really all

 about the beauty of the stone itself, and therefore,

is presented with simplicity and elegance.”   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovely work meticulously crafted

with interesting gemstones will get attention 

every time. 

 

Prepare to be surprised at the range of work she has created.

There are many more designs to see

 at Cynthia Downs website.

 

Hand Pierced Delights - Kate Case Jewelry

 

 

Metalsmith Kate Case creates lovely work in sterling silver

embellished with 18 KT gold and various gemstones.

She specializes in the traditional techniques of

 hand piercing and repoussé.

 

I immediately became smitten with her hand-pierced jewelry

designs because of her singular vision and the overall 

visual design of her work.

The repetitive elements of her designs bring

a charming classical quality to her work.

 

 

Her work is meticulously hand cut with a jeweler's saw,
and the care is truly apparent in every one of her pieces.

 

 

 

 

 I always enjoy viewing pictures that show

the artist's detailed processes and techniques.

It gives me a sense of how each piece

slowly yet surely comes together.

Here are some photos of Kate's intricate

hand cut work in progress.

 

 

It’s easy to see there can be a great deal of enjoyment in perfecting

these processes, even when it comes to creating the same design

and components over and over – although of course

in the world of the handmade

 no piece is ever really identical to another.

Be sure to see more of her work at

 Kate Case Jewellery and Silversmithing

 

 

 

Smart and Chic Minoux Jewelry by Kristen Robison

 

A friend recently sent me a link to
Minoux Jewelry. This elegant work
 is known for classic shapes and designs,

and so it's not surprising that her newest collection

is truly classy and modern.
 

Over the years, the artist has developed

 a broad range of metal jewelry including

 pieces that are geometric along with some that are more

relaxed and organic in style.

 

 I'm completely enamored with her smart, minimalist bracelets.

 

 

Founded by metalsmith Kristen Robison, Minoux Jewelry is hand crafted

with an eye towards sustainability and reducing material waste. 

Recycled materials and environmentally-conscious studio practices

are used throughout her work.

 

 

 

Explore her entire collection

at Minoux Jewelry.

 



Exhibition - Rock On

If you've been following this blog's Facebook Page

 then you probably know I've been eagerly waiting 

for the current exhibit called 'Rock On' 

at Facere Art Jewelry Gallery.

Set to run from July 10 until July 31, 2013 

it presents a contemporary

jewelry art exhibition "of the precious things in life. 

Fourteen artists explore an abundance of 

rocks and gemstones sure to rock your world."

The artist list includes:

 

Alison B. Antelman, Angela Bubash, John S. Chickadel, 

Joshua Craig, Maggie Davidson, Peg Fetter,

 Joanna Gollberg, Russell Jones, Janis Kerman, 

Eve Llyndorah & Ray Lipovsky, Armande Potel-Martin,

 Todd Pownell, Wolfgang Vaatz, and Andrea Williams.

  Every time there's an exhibit at this exciting gallery
 I plan a trip to Seattle to visit but it hasn't happened yet.  

Maybe this time.

See all their artists at 

Facere Art Jewelry Gallery

See more photos of this exhibit at

Rock On

 

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.