Secret Life of Jewelry - A Universe of Handcrafted Art to Wear

Exhibition - Outer Limits at Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 17:30:00 +0000

I recently became aware of a jewelry exhibition

currently on view at Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery

in Seattle, Washington

It's entitled: 'Outer Limits'

and is running until February 24, 2015

As described by the gallery,

“Orbital by nature, jewelry art lives on the body.

Jewelry art invites comment. Jewelry art says, "Howdy!"

Outer Limits, is an exhibition of jewelry art that is

as playful as it is avant-garde.

Each featured artist experiments with peripheries - pushing the

boundaries of material, technique and form.”

The nine artists invited to participate in this exhibit include:

Jana Brevick, David Choi, Rebecca Hannon, Arthur Hash,

Shayna Illingworth, Tia Kramer, emiko oye,

Rachelle Thiewes and Myung Urso.

In all, there are 47 pieces to view, admire,

and purchase.

Materials used include: geodes, asian ink, linen,

mulberry paper, glass infused nylon,

metal embellished with car paint, recycled LEGOS,

driftwood, handmade paper, exotic woods,

along with more standard materials

of precious metals and gemstones.

Let's take a look at some examples of the one-of-a-kind

jewelry included in this exhibition.

If you're in the area, pop in to see the exhibition.

I'd love to know your impressions.

You can see more at the

Facere Jewelry Art Gallery.

Gemstones Weaved Into Design - Cynthia Downs Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 16:59:00 +0000

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.

Fluidity in Paper - Lisa Catterson Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:16:00 +0000

Lisa Catterson’s original collection of contemporary jewelry

is recognizable by repetitive layers of textural handmade paper.

Each piece has a personality of its own with characteristics

ranging from the simple to the intricate,

and the playful to the dignified.

The characteristic that stands out the

most is a sense of fluidity.

Using monochromatic color allows texture, volume,

structure and contour to take center stage.

Yes, paper can seem mundane, ordinary and commonplace

yet in the hands of the right artist

bits of mundane paper can become works of art to wear.

You can see more of this work at Lisa Catterson's website.

Hand Pierced Delights - Kate Case Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:13:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 16:29:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 13:54:00 +0000

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

Exhibition - Wear It or Not

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:37:00 +0000

There are just a few weeks left to see a

remarkable jewelry exhibit at

the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC.

"Wear it or Not: Recent Jewelry Acquisitions"

is showing until June 2, 2013.

The description of this show is as exciting

as the photos,

Over the past five years, MAD has collected nearly 200 exceptional pieces of art jewelry. From classic mid-century works to computer-designed musical jewelry, Wear It or Not: Recent Jewelry Acquisitions showcases the depth and variety of the new additions to the museum’s renowned permanent collection.

The exhibition will feature nearly 130 works from around the world including Melanie Bilenker, Kat Cole, Mari Ishikawa, Iris Nieuwenburg, Lucie Heskett Brem, Beverley Price, Verena Sieber-Fuchs and Kiff Slemmons. The exhibition will explore a range of jewelry making techniques, including computer design and digital fabrication, as well as the use of uncommon and unexpected materials to carry contemporary art jewelry beyond its decorative function into new creative realms of conceptual, social and political resonance.

Emily Watson Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:44:00 +0000

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.

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

However this collection is comprised of a

more labor-intensive range of elements

than one would ordinarily expect.

She begins by combining

etching and printing techniques

to pull paper prints of her designs.

But that’s only the first layer of work.
x

She then uses the etched copper plates

as a base for her enameling and

metalsmithing processes to create jewelry.

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.

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

Gold With Silk - Lynsey Pluck Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:47:00 +0000

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.
x

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

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:25:00 +0000

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.

Textures in Beads - Patrizia Tager Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:20:00 +0000

For Patrizia Tager, it's beads, beads and more beads.

Her handmade innovative beaded wearable art
is sure to grab your attention.

Her work is richly layered and makes
a strong impression.

My inspiration comes from all textures,

colours and matter: organic, industrial,

modern and ancient but most of all from

the infinite possibilities
of creating with these tiny glass beads.

So beautiful and innovative.

I’m always intrigued by her choices of color,

texture and design. Everything just seems to
blend together flawlessly.

And there's lots more to see at her website.

She Tells A Story - Becky Crow Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:16:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:23:00 +0000

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.

Exhibition - Put A Ring On It

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:13:00 +0000

I’ve been carrying a romantic torch

for rings for quite a while.

Big or small, ornate or simple,

as long as it's made with

thoughtful craftsmanship and amazing design

I'm interested.

Taboo Studio in San Diego, California

has a cure for me –

an exhibition called Put A Ring On It.

They're describing this show as,

“ . . . extraordinary and unique rings by

23 accomplished artists.

Designs will include silver rings with

bezel set cabochons, animal rings,

gold and diamond stacking rings,

architectural rings, flower rings,

bee rings, and Damascus steel rings

. . . a virtual ring extravaganza!”

Artists include: Brooke Battles • Steven Brixner •

Jim Cotter • Christine Simpson Forni • Diana Hall •

Barbara Heinrich • April Higashi • Deanna Jacobsen •

Dahlia Kanner • Ananda Khalsa • Janis Kerman •

Christy Klug • Kristin Lora • Sydney Lynch •

Victoria Moore • Rebecca Myers • Brigid O'Hanrahan •

Christina Y. Smith • Julia V. Turner • Myung Urso •

Donna Veverka • Jeff and Susan Wise

These are just a few of the incredible rings

currently on display at Taboo Studio.

Luckily for us

Put A Ring On It will continue until March 22, 2013.

Polymer and Wire - Laura Tabakman Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:26:00 +0000

Over the years, Laura Tabakman has developed
a broad range of polymer jewelry including
pieces that are geometric and architectural
along with some that are more relaxed
and organic in style.

My favorites are her

hand-sculpted floral necklaces featuring

delicate-as-tissue-paper blossoms.

Created using polymer and wire

these particular floral designs

look like gently-brushed watercolors.

Some of these pieces remind me

of work created with glass, especially

when it seems like light

is traveling through them.

See more of her work at

Laura Tabakman’s website.

Wendy Edsall-Kerwin Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:22:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:54:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:02:00 +0000

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.

Micro-Macramé - Ifat Nesher Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:13:00 +0000

Micro-macramé jewelry created
by Ifat Nesher is made with
pure linen or waxed cotton threads,

combined with all sorts of wonderful things like
Murano glass from Venice,
terra-cotta, coral,
seashells and driftwood.

She uses macramé techniques and multicolored threads
to create intricate, freeform woven pieces with
striking patterns and beautiful textures.

Some designs are light, delicate and feathery.
Others are rugged and suggestive of shipwrecked netting.
Each is handmade and
no two pieces are exactly alike.

Sometimes photographs aren't enough to
showcase the work and in my opinion her
imaginative designs seem to come to life,
and are best appreciated, when worn.

To see more of Ifat Nesher's work
visit her website and Facebook page.

Beading With Love - Zoya Gutina Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:11:00 +0000

Beaded necklaces by Zoya Gutina are

elegant masterpieces of beautiful design, expert technique
and exquisite color combinations.

Richly embellished with multiple layers of beads
each creation is a lush, dense, three-dimensional
object of beauty.

Each piece is obviously a
work of love and devotion.

The next one reminds me of snow and ice crystals
found while on a winter's walk.

Of her creative inspiration, Zoya says,

"Inspiration for my designs come to me night and day.

At night, when I close my eyes, fantastic colors

and forms appear before me. Often, I cannot even

find beads or stones equal to these glorious visions.

During the day, my inspiration comes from the

trees and flowers of spring, frozen geometry of winter,

and the beautiful rise and set of the sun."

See more at Zoya Gutina's website and Facebook page.

Can't Tie Me Down - Eleanor Bolton Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:32:00 +0000

Eleanor Bolton has developed

specific signature techniques

to coil, twist and hand-stitch cotton rope

into large-scale yet lightweight jewelry.

The unexpected use of rope as

material for jewelry is bound to

make a bold statement.

Using simple colors allows

texture to take center stage.

Designs range from simple and streamlined

to complex and convoluted.

All are beautiful and intense.

Each piece holds a subtle surprise -

usually a tiny bit of contrast color

hidden within the coils.

Visit Eleanor Bolton's Facebook page for more

information and photos of her work.

Bangles are Just the Beginning - Liz Hamman Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:31:00 +0000

Liz Hamman's bangles

are truly one of the most unique

types of paper jewelry I've had

the pleasure to see.

Fused into a dense mass of paper pulp

every bangle is made from an entire story book

she has salvaged from second-hand stores

and recycled into paper art.

It's especially fun to see the main character
of the story prominently displayed along
the interior of each bangle while
the exterior is equally distinctive

with layers of swirling color that seem

similar to a wood-grain mokumé gane effect.

It interests me that books are treasured and yet

neglected objects, the materials they are made from

are humble and transient whilst the content

and experience of them remains with us

and enriches our lives.

I am interested in exploring these qualities of

value/non-value and transience/longevity

to produce work that is wearable and unique.

But bangles are just the beginning of the range

of work Liz Hamman creates using maps,

documents and even Monopoly money.

Explore more of Liz Hamman's work here.

Layers of Lace - Clizia Ornato Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:19:00 +0000

Clizia Ornato creates elegant silver filigree jewelry

designed to resemble delicate, handmade

embroidered lace.

The craftsmanship put into each piece is remarkable.

Some are simple, some are elaborate and

each unique design is made by hand.

The collection is called, Lo Voglio

which in Italian means I want it.

The attention to detail is evident in

her wonderfully refined work and

her feminine designs have a timeless appeal.

Bracelets, rings, necklaces, pendants,

and earrings all showcase her distinctive aesthetic.

I especially love what she calls 'Baciamano' bracelets
which translates as 'Hand Kiss' - these bracelets wrap

around the wrist as well as over the hand.

The bottom line is the more I look, the more I see

and the more I want this romantic collection.

See each of her other collections

as well as more of the Lo Voglio collection

at Clizia Ornato's website.

Upcycled Plastic - Rachel Darbourne Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:15:00 +0000

Designing jewelry from
recycled plastic is what
Rachel Darbourne does well.
With creative thought this artist designs
upcycled, innovative pieces that look
more like paper or silk than plastic.
But they're not paper nor fabric,
they are made from
100% recycled polyethylene
(the plastic found in supermarket bags
and other packaging).

These pieces are appealing with their concentric

circles of different sizes and (sometimes) colors.

Who knew that a simple object like plastic

could be elevated into works of art?

In her hands this used packaging material
is repurposed into remarkable and colorful jewelry
that proves upcycling can be synonymous with
beautiful and inspired handcrafted work.

Be sure to visit Rachel Darbourne's website
to see more of this innovative work.

Inspired Enamels - Carly Wright Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:11:00 +0000

Inspired by sedimentary rock formations and their

sometimes subtle, sometimes bold colorations

Carly Wright creates champlevé enamel jewelry

using a theme of abstract

windows and doors to serve as the

settings for the luscious colors.

Champlevé enameling can be a tedious process,

requiring painstaking attention to surface preparation

and firing times. This artist will make as many as

thirty firings of colored transparent glass

before the recessed areas hold sufficient enamel.

Only then can she complete the process by

oxidizing the sterling silver setting and

burnishing its surface.

The results are certainly eye catching.

There's alot more information
and photos to see at Carly Wright's website.