Ornamental Elements

Challenges

laurie — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:37:01 +0000

Due to a medical emergency there may not be daily posts for several weeks…it all depends on time and energy. My husband had emergency abdominal surgery last week and will be hospitalized for awhile. He is progressing well…albeit slowly. I hope to resume posts ASAP…

laurie

Spice Up Your Wrist

laurie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:38 +0000

This striking cuff from Blu Bijoux caught my eye. As I read further, I realized that the materials were all sitting in my studio…faux agate…hammered metal cuff…silver plated wire…WE CAN DO THIS!!! ”Spice up your look with this magnificent blue faux agate wire cuff from Blu Bijoux. The cuff is full of spunky personality. Not for the faint of heart, the bracelet prominently features a simulated blue agate stone which sits on top of a wide silver plated cuff. Silver plated wire literally ties the two elements together.”

Fly Like an Angel

laurie — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:00:32 +0000

Still browsing through InStyle…the“If money were no object” jewelry collection features diamonds & rubies and sapphires…OH MY!!! For a change of pace and texture, but still in the pricey category, you will find Daniela Villegas’ Wing Earrings. “I love those big angel wings the Victoria’s Secret models wear when they strut down the runway. But I know they are none too practical for whirling around town by day or even fancy nights on the town. These 18kt yellow gold, diamond and Zebra Finch wing earrings on the other hand would be perfect for those moments when I absolutely want to fly like an angel. Hair up and shoulders back, wearing them would be heavenly. “

Charm & Chain

laurie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:56 +0000

Browsing through the InStyle site, I ‘bumped’ into Charm & Chain. This website should have a warning at the top of the home page…BEWARE-YOU ARE ABOUT TO SPEND THE NEXT HOUR SCROLLING THROUGH PAGE AFTER PAGE OF BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY!!! “We carefully curate our site based on the variable tastes of our customers, follow the very best trends in jewelry design, and seek out amazing pieces with that je ne sais quoi feel to offer women a delightfully eclectic collection of fashionable jewelry. Ultimately, we are inspired by the woman who wears jewelry to express her individual style, and we hope our jewelry inspires you to find your own.” The Tropical Punch Ring is an example of the striking designs that you will find at Charm & Chain.

Kindred Souls

laurie — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:24 +0000

Jewelry design crosses geographical borders, as well as ethnic backgrounds. Elva Fields describes the featured necklace as “Kindred Souls”. “Although they may have different origins, this colorful collection appears to be innately drawn together, creating a natural ease that only two kindred spirits could share. Hailing from the ‘old world’ of Nigeria, antique black, red, blue and pink “snake vertebrae” in varying combinations, twist their way beautifully behind their ‘new world’ adornment. A vintage black jeweled brooch from the 1950s, is an unexpected addition that looks completely at home among the bright strands.”

Can We Do This…Maybe!!!

laurie — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000

If it is Monday…then there must be some post material discovered in the Saturday edition of the Wall Street Journal. Mytheresa.com is a German online store for luxury brands. “In the aftermath of the fashion shows in Paris, Milan, London, and New York, our buyers order directly at the designers. Our selection has its focus on style and elegance rather than on ephemeral trends. mytheresa.com thus offers you a selection of fashion pieces that are both cool and sophisticated, feminine and far-sighted.” The featured ring is from Yves Saint Laurent and can be found at the top of the Jewelry page. I’m not sure if this falls into the we can do this category…in a ring…but the design elements are definitely possible for a bracelet or pendant.

Humor & Color

laurie — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:34 +0000

Let’s start the day with jewelry from Mette Laier that makes us smile. “My jewelry is based on everyday things and what we surround ourselves with – things get moved out of context, so they have a different meaning. The hallmark of my jewelry, humor, color and flexibility.” Her blog is a…hoot!!!

Captured Emotion

laurie — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:00:53 +0000

I have minimal information about Nancy Aillery. Although she trained as a jeweler, in 2000 she discovered acrylic on canvas and many of her two dimensional pieces can be found throughout Belgium. ”A jewel is an emotion that is captured in an imperishable object. Is a gem show emotion. Each creation is unique and has a personal character, whether or not combined with gemstones, colored stones, diamonds or pearls.” Scroll through her ”juwelen” pages more interesting combinations of shapes and materials. (The quote above is translated from Dutch to English by Google)

Unexpected Twists

laurie — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:05 +0000

Holly Stein’s work will make you say…WOW…from the home page to the variety of items featured in her Design Lines photos. “I challenge myself to create works that are conceptual in nature and stretch the limitations of my own ability as well as others’ preconceptions about art. I like incorporating common and recylced materials — altering purpose and usefulness and elevating what is perceived as refuse into, what I hope is, art. Many of my pieces employ unexpected twists — an unusual finished back, hidden talismanic words or jewelry as a decorative element on a completely functional box. I strive to make a connection with the viewer and wearer that makes the work exciting and original and can be enjoyed for it’s beauty and quality.”

Exploring New Mediums

laurie — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:00:49 +0000

Thea Clark describes her work as ‘exploring new mediums’. When you scroll through her gallery sections you will move from traditional materials to cyanotype on silk, petrified wood, liquid plastic, ‘upcycled’ silk etc. “My current work examines how we experience the changing self. Objects are transformed into images on silk through the cyanotype process, rendered in the classic blue of this technique. Chosen for their emotional resonance, pearls, chains, nests, and circles signify protection, domesticity, nurturance. The images are combined with mixed media, including a layer of pink plastic that unifies the structural strata. This pink and blue play on deep seated associations, anima, animus, yin and yang, which are the undercurrents of the fluidity and form we call the self.”