Catalina Brenes Jewelry

Resin in a plastic bag may not sound

like an appropriate combination for jewelry

yet Catalina Brenes creates pieces

that are really eye catching and intriguing.

She has three distinct collections, but it's those

resin-filled plastics that consistently
catch my eye.

Experimenting with materials such as silver,
gemstones, natural pigments, found objects,
pearls and 24 KT gold foil, this artist explains how she
creates with an eye towards whimsy and play,

... I need materials that let me make mistakes . . . Something that allows me to play, to enjoy the creating process. Feel the material to unleash the inner child. . .  and when I’m ready it becomes a game. . . I need my small toys, resin and pigments to preserve that second. That’s when the plastic bag becomes my canvas.

 

 You can all of her collections on
 her website and at Not Just A Label. 

 

Fun and Colorful - Liz Hall Jewelry

 Colorful jewelry created by Liz Hall

makes me think of fun every time I see it.

Her work is recognizable yet most of it

is one of a kind.

Creating her elaborate work with PMC

and embellishing it with stones, polymer clay,

 glass, or whatever other found objects

 may catch her eye, this artist

has a wonderful ability to translate her ideas

into delightful and intricate compositions

of ever-changing patterns and sequences.

It never gets dull.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a whole lot more to
see on her website.

 

Exploring Vulnerability - Laura Bennett Jewelry

Living in tune with nature

and following the ebb and flow

of life, Laura Bennett

creates jewelry using found

objects from the botanical world.

 

In a manner of speaking, by crossing

 plants with metal she's created a whole
new world of hybrids - jewelry that lives

as flora. Interestingly, she captures the

best characteristics of both elements and

manages to transform it all

into beautiful jewelry.

 

Her Dome Collection is simply beautiful,

and her Nature of Fragility Collection

includes sprigs of plants preserved with resin

captured just before they decay to

"offer the wearer an experience, challenging them

to confront their vulnerabilities . . . "

 

 

 

 

 

 By capturing their essence without
ruining their beauty and fragility
 this artist brings new appreciation to
the concepts of vulnerability and weakness.

There is alot more to see at
her website.



 

Working With Mother Nature - Ann Jenkins Jewelry

When jewelry includes Mother Nature,

I tend to pay attention.

 

Natural elements like

 porcupine quills,

 dried flowers, sea shells, leaves,

butterfly wings, crushed gemstones,

feathers and other found objects

 become the jewels for Ann Jenkins' jewelry.

 

 Enshrined in spectacular frames

these 'jewelry reliquaries' as the artist refers

 to her creations,

become objects of beauty

and contemplation.

 

This tiny brooch features a dried cat's claw pod

encased in a sterling silver frame.

A clematis blossom is the

centerpiece for this brooch.





A delicate white coral is

protected in sterling silver.

 

 

 

 

This anemonite fossil is showcased within

a frame made with sterling silver and 24K gold.

 

 

This bracelet contains an array of delights including,

a lobster shell, a butterfly wing, an azurite geode,

a fish-egg case, turquoise, liche and a bit of tomatillo.



 

 

 

 

 

These porcupine quills are framed with

24K gold leaf, fine silver and oxidized copper.

 

  

 

 

Each reliquary is a little world

of contemplative splendor

providing a moment of being one with Nature.

 

Be sure to visit Ann Jenkins' website to see more

of her work.

 

 

 

Upcycled Color - Tamra Gentry Jewelry

It looks like a gemstone called agate.

But it's not agate.

It looks like a metal-working technique

called mokume gane.

But it's not.

So, what exactly is it?

Old paint.

But not just any old paint. This is a hidden treasure that

has been salvaged from trash and re-purposed into

truly innovative jewelry by metalsmith Tamra Gentry.

Known as Fordite or Motor City Agate it is

made of layers and layers (and more layers) of

automotive enamel paint that used to be

manually spray-painted onto cars

at the auto factories during the 1960s and 1970s.

While the cars eventually left the painting

stations the excess overspray was left behind.

Layers of enamel paint built up over time on the

 walls of all those painting stations and were

 baked on repeatedly.  When this manual painting

process was automated the creation

 of Fordite ceased.

Salvaged Fordite is in limited supply.

And what was once destined for the landfill

 upcycles beautifully into exquisite jewelry.

This artist uses a variety of fabrication

techniques to infuse stylish new life into

 a manufacturing byproduct.

These pieces are definitely top drawer.

In a striking array of colors

these pieces are both stunningly stylish

and eco-friendly.

Pairing many of her pieces

with gemstones she cleverly provides

a stunning counterpoint to the

vintage auto enamel.

It's obvious that Tamra's technical skills

are superb and her designs are

innovative and very feminine.

One can consider them to be

artistic expressions set in silver.

We love to be enchanted and inspired by artists

 who are using objects that had a previous life

and creating something with a different purpose.

In this particular case, we're impressed that

 a substance that was truly

considered as wasted product for one industry

has become a valuable material for another.

For more information about these

colorful nuggets of beauty visit

Tamra's website.

Mixed Media Delights - Gretchen Schields Jewelry

It's been a while since I've traveled to

Southern California to visit and it's been

even longer since the last time I've had

an opportunity to see the Art-A-Fair and

the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach. 

Located within walking distance of each other

each is a great way to get some sun

and enjoy local artists.

Fond memories live in my heart

due to these annual events. For instance,

the first glass-blowing demonstration I ever saw

was at the Sawdust one summer (about

umpteen years ago), and the first time I watched

someone soldering jewelry was also at

that venue a few years later.

This summer, one of my favorite

mixed-media jewelry artists, Gretchen Shields,

is at the Art-A-Fair displaying her

 current work and demonstrating

 her range of techniques.

Working in various styles, this artist

mixes gemstones with found objects and textiles.

With an eye for sophisticated designs and color

combinations she creates pieces that mix

tribal beads and antiquities with

Japanese obi and Chinese treasures.

 The final result is bold, dramatic, and unique.

Many will prefer her beaded jewelry comprised

of elaborate multi-strands of different-colored

pearls that are very eye catching,

but my personal preferences revolve around her

textile creations, namely her Silk Road collection.

Elaborately constructed each is a work of art.

Rich fabrics, vibrant colors, lavish layers - it's all

there. Each eclectic combination is a feast for the eyes.

The finishing touch for each piece is her signature

hand-knotted macrame loop and button closure.

Each piece creates both visual and emotional impact.

If you are in the area and haven't already been to

this event get yourself there as soon as possible.

Art-A-Fair will run until August 28.

More of her work can be seen at

Gretchen's website.

Upcycled Elegance: Clementine James Jewelry

Upcycling can give useless or damaged

materials a new life. It's inspiring to see

jewelry artists take something disposable

and re-design it to create

something of value.

We've featured several in previous posts:

such as Harriete Estel Berman using

recycled tin cans;

Holly Anne Mitchell and her use

of discarded newspapers.

We've seen upcycling occur in the

works of Emiko Oye

and Alice Sprintzen.

They all have proven their ability

to expose the hidden potential in

seemingly ordinary objects.

Today we're featuring

Clementine James who is a

treasure hunter - she finds and

gathers disparate objects to create

lusciously beautiful jewelry, and

each item becomes seamlessly

integrated into her

artistic creations.

Old, broken pieces of things, pebbles, lace,

 fabric, are all lovingly upcycled into

wearable jewels.

Fun and elegance find a home together.

She enchants us with her use of recycled

and vintage items.



Average, ordinary, commonplace items

enter a metamorphosis to become

one-of-a-kind items of jewelry.

We are inspired by artists who are using objects

that had a previous life and are creating

something with a different purpose.

Creating thoughtful and resourceful

 reused and repurposed items

provides us with unlimited beauty.

Enjoy!

Lauren Pollaro Jewelry

A dear friend of ours recently sent us

a photo of work created by assemblage

artist Lauren Pollaro.  She knew we would really

enjoy seeing this particular piece of jewelry

and she was right!  We were immediately

intrigued by the choices of color, texture

and design. Everything just seems to

work together effortlessly.

We like the handmade aesthetic that is

apparent in her work - it provides a strong sense

of connection to her creative process.

This artist's forte is creating harmonious

sculptural jewelry using various mixed materials.

Acrylic paints, sterling silver, semi-precious

stones, and found objects are often

 included in her work. Her pieces also feature

such disparate elements as

vitreous enamels, collage, and epoxy resin.

It seems like she uses almost anything

in her abstract compositions.

And the effects are all beautiful.

Here is a brooch/pendant made with

copper, sterling silver, and acrylic paints.

We especially like the sgraffito-like effect

she creates on the various surfaces.

We also find this piece interesting - it features

found objects, plastic, a twig,

sterling silver and paint.

There are many pieces in her collection

to admire.

This necklace includes many elements

including wood,

epoxy resin and pearls.

This one incorporates enamel on copper.

We're inspired by how

her eclectic selection of materials

just seems to come together effortlessly.

But we know that work that appears

effortless rarely is as effortless as it seems.

For those who are intrigued

by delightful colors, layered compositions,

and the handmade aesthetic this artist

successfully combines all this and

more to create sculptural works of art

meant to be worn as jewelry.

Enjoy!

Alice Sprintzen Jewelry

We love jewelry made by artists who
 have a sense of humor expressed
with a sense of style.

If they can recycle and repurpose

unwanted material destined to be

trash, and create something of

beauty at the same time,
that's even better.

Jewelry created by Alice Sprintzen

is made from found objects.

Things like broken toys, antiques, keys,
cameras, and smashed car parts all find
 their way to her delightful,
and whimsical necklaces.

Junk and trash are no longer unwanted bits

of nothing. They contribute to a greater

vision and become part of a
larger plan.

Using reclaimed and natural materials
in her jewelry designs, Alice creates
visually intriguing jewelry that combines
her love for the beauty of functional
objects and her sense of design.


Let's take a look at some
examples of her eclectic
use of found objects.

This piece is called 'Winged Victory'.

It's made with antique china doll legs,

a brass found object, sliced marble,
a clock key, sterling silver, and glass beads.

And this one called 'Cat' is made from

copper, turquoise, a brass drawer knob backplate,

a keyhole, sterling silver, an antique button,
and glass beads.

On her website, Alice clearly expresses her point
of view when she describes her work,

These objects speak to past experiences as well as an aesthetic sense of color, form, texture and design. As inveterate collectors and scavengers, jewelers revel in manipulating objects, presenting them in new contexts, giving new meaning to what may have previously been overlooked. The castaway is elevated to a place of honor, the mundane becomes precious and materials rusted, worn by age and discarded, are valued for their intrinsic beauty ..... Jewelry of this genre is an antidote to the wasteful, consumer oriented direction of modern life. It is a celebration of the inventive use of objects transformed. It challenges the viewer to take a fresh look at the ubiquitous mundane objects that can be appreciated if we only take the time to direct our attention in their direction.

We also love this one called

'Not by Accident II', made with a car tail light,

buttons, turquoise, sterling silver, and glass beads.

and here we have one called

'Completing the Circuit'

made with buttons, turquoise and beads, pearls,

computer parts, a plastic reflector, cast plastic pieces,

and sterling silver.

 

If we were ever stranded on a desert island,

we would want to have this artist stranded

along with us. There would be no doubt

that her sense of humor combined with her ability

 to create delight from objects that most

 consider trash would make the time

pass quickly and happily.

We see a life lesson inherent in this work,

namely to take whatever one finds in life

and make something better with it.

Improve it. And, ultimately, enjoy it.

Cheers!