Memorable Jewelry by Lucia Antonelli

There are moments in life

when one sees an image and that image
lingers forever in one's memory.

One of those iconic moments

occurred several years ago when I saw a
cover of Ornament Magazine

featuring work by Lucia Antonelli.

That image stays with me to this day.

I was instantly smitten

by elegant design

and abundant detail.

All of her work is just as

 opulent and elaborate as this.

With harmonious color selections

 and detailed textures, the eye can't help but

dance around her necklaces.

In many of her pieces she allows

 color to take a supporting role as she

encourages texture to take the mainstage.

This is best seen in her necklaces that

 incorporate a labyrinthine

braid-within-a-braid effect.

On the other hand, when color does take centerstage,
this artist tends to work with warm tones -
golds, coppers, bronzes.

They add richness and depth to her work
and radiate a mellow, burnished glow.

She also adds delicious tidbits of visual intrigue
by including splashes of pearls
and dashes of gemstones.

Truly, each multi-strand piece
dramatizes energy and movement.

This broad variety of effects all come together
to create pieces with a lot of visual and
tactile appeal.

All that textural design is rather
sweeping and majestic.

And difficult to resist.


No wonder that original image
from so long ago
resides in my memory.
And always will.


You can see more of these pieces
at the artist's website.

Romance in Metal - Valerie Ostenak Jewelry

Sometimes I dream about

the gorgeous jewelry created

by Valerie Ostenak.

Her work is so beautiful

it takes my breath away and

 sets my unconscious mind

into overdrive. 

It's easy to interpret my dreams --

I want to wear this jewelry!

 

Fluid and flowing designs are

brought to life in metal.

Her collections celebrate

the contours and shapes suggested by all sorts

 of complex forms found in nature,

such as raging rivers, swaying branches

and delicate tendrils of flowers.

Also, one can see Art Nouveau

influences in her work.

 

 

 

Her Elemental Collection features

silver, argentium silver, 14k gold, freshwater pearls,

gemstones and Swarovski crystals

in myriad curvilinear designs.

 

 

 

 

 

Each piece overflows with movement and energy

and an enchanting play of light on metal.

 

 

 

 

Skilled as both a blacksmith

and as a metalsmith she combines techniques

from both disciplines

to create this sculptural jewelry.

 

 

In her Garland Collection she incorporates

freshwater pearls, glass and/or Swarovski crystals,

silver and/or 14k gold with mild steel.

The steel gives this collection bold

emphasis and structural design.

Her work is an ongoing dialogue between

her blacksmith forging techniques, her

silversmith craftsmanship and her

design skills in art jewelry.

Each is superb.

 

Much of the charm and beauty of

these pieces lie in the wonderful variations

of form, shape and feel

that this artist offers.

These variations are seen in

her bracelets and earrings also.

But most of all,

this artist infuses her work with

the essence of romance.
And you can't go wrong with Romance.

For many more images of this

lovely work you can visit her

website.

Exhibition - Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads

Every so often something truly

groundbreaking occurs.

The Polymer Collection at the

Racine Art Museum will make its

debut this weekend.

To celebrate the establishment of

this permanent collection

 RAM is showing a group exhibition

of polymer artists who are considered

 the groundbreaking,

early adopters of this specific material.

The purpose of this exhibit is to highlight

 the history and development of polymer

 art and craft over the last 30 years.

Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads

reflects on the history of all things polymer.

Featuring a comprehensive collection of

over 200 objects made of polymer,

it includes jewelry, sculptural objects,

 and furniture.

This exhibition features exemplary pieces from

34 artists. From this large group a smaller group of

 "8 Boundary Breakers" are being showcased.

These artists are recognized for their

extraordinary contributions to the field.

The "Boundary Breakers" are Bonnie Bishoff and

J.M. Syron, Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, Kathleen Dustin,

Steven Ford and David Forlano, Tory Hughes,

Cynthia Toops, Pier Voulkos, and Elise Winters.

Each will be represented by new work as

well as historical pieces showing their

experimentation with polymer.

Other participating artists include: Jamey Allen,

Kathleen Amt, Rachel Carren, Dan Cormier,

 Debra DeWolff,  Gwen Gibson, Linda Goff, Michael Grove,

Ruth Anne Grove, Lindly Haunani, Carl Hornberger,

 Donna Kato, Ronnie Kirsch, Judy Kuskin, Maggie Maggio,

Wendy Wallin Malinow, Sandra McCaw, Linda Pedersen,

Nan Roche, Sarah Shriver, Carol Simmons,

Barbara Sperling, Melanie West, and Amy Zinman.

 Additionally, this exhibition will be memorialized

by an accompanying

illustrated hardcover 140-page book,

 "Terra Nova:  Polymer at the Crossroads"

published by RAM.

It includes portfolio sections highlighting

each of the exhibition's "Boundary Breakers"

with images of their work, a brief artist statement

 and a concise exhibition history. 

The exhibition will run

October 21, 2011 through February 5, 2012.

For more information see the

Racine Art Museum website.

All photos via Polymer Art Archive

Not Your Every Day Knots - Jewelry by Barbara Natoli Witt

Jewelry created by

Barbara Natoli Witt features

color, texture, micromacramé

and lace-making techniques. 

Working methodically she

creatively combines textural elements into

elaborate designs.  An extraordinarily

time-consuming process produces work

that is imaginative and evokes

a sense of lush richness.

Working in her signature style, this artist

mixes gemstones with found objects and beads.

With an eye for intricate designs and soothing

color combinations she creates pieces that

mix traditional knotting concepts with

modern flair.

The final result is colorful and unique.

Her inspiration is derived from a life-long study

of symbolism, history, and diverse cultures.

 These exquisite pieces of jewelry

 begin with simple concepts yet

evolve into highly patterned tapestries.

As the subject of a new book,

"Adornment, the Art of Barbara Natoli Witt"

by Lois Sherr Dubin, this artist will be

participating in a lecture and signing of the book

featuring her tapestry necklaces.  It will be held

Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 4:00 PM

at Museo ItaloAmericano, in San Francisco.

She will elaborate on some of the stories included in

the book and plans to show some of her latest

pieces as well as some vintage necklaces.

 You can see more of her work on her website. 

So Many Rings, So Little Time - Nora Rochel Jewelry

Sometimes it's all about

combining a love of vibrant texture with a

passion for botanical design.

Jewelry created by Nora Rochel

overflows with textural elements.

And it celebrates her vision of hidden gardens

 and botanical domains. 

Her exploration of these themes leads to

jewelry that, as the artist says,

"turns one‘s hands into small landscapes and gardens."

These are like country gardens where the

vegetation is allowed to grow with

wild abandon in secret corners.

Secret corners of those unkempt gardens

tend to shelter the most exquisite

specimens. Discovering those hidden gems is where

curiosity meets delight. That sense of

discovery exists in her jewelry.

 

 

The golden warmth in this ring

is almost luminous.

She uses different metals and several types

of patination to achieve

different effects.

The key to

 expressing one's inner vision

is to experiment and play.

And throw caution to the wind.

This artist definitely succeeds.

This work has a sense of playfulness

and discovery and enchantment

that's not easy to resist.

Each piece holds a tiny treasure within

its recesses

that begs to be explored.

It's jewelry that's off

the beaten path - where

being an adventurous tourist can be

rewarding.

You can explore more of Nora's

work at her website.

Exhibition - LOOT 2011: MAD about Jewelry

The Museum of Arts and Design in NYC will present

"LOOT 2011 Gala Event: MAD about Jewelry,"

its annual juried exhibition of contemporary

jewelry created by more than 50 international

studio jewelry artists.

Now in its 11th year, LOOT: MAD about Jewelry,

has become known as, according to the museum,

“the ultimate pop-up shop for contemporary

art and studio jewelry,” where the public can acquire

pieces from some of the world’s most innovative

jewelry artists in a social setting while contributing to

a worthy cause. Proceeds from the sales will benefit the

Museum’s exhibition and education programs.

International in scope, multi-disciplinary in technique,

and diverse in style each of the pieces offered are

characterized by excellent craftsmanship, originality of

design, and a broad range of creative

and exciting materials.

Some of the participating artists include:

Sara Abramson, Eleanor Bolton,
Anastasia Azure, Lucia Corral,

Sara Basch, Elaine Cox, Lia di Gregorio, 
Jacqueline Cullen, Susan Green, Emanuela Duca,
Danielle Gori-Montanelli, Suzanne Golden,
Susanne Klemm, Nicole Landaw, Ute Kolar, Anna Ruth Henriques,

Mia Hebib, Liz Hamman, Jan Huling, Gilly Langton, Jina Lee,

Alba Polenghi Lisca, Asagi Maeda, Margherita Marchioni,

Maggie Meister, Sabrina Meyns, Laura Michaels, Carolyn Morris Bach,

Giuliana Michelotti, Iris Nieuwenberg, Simonetta Starrabba,

Rebecca Myers, Yoon Ah Paik, Olga Prieto, Kara Ross,

In Hwa Yu, Rossella Tornquist, Liz Schock, Lynne Sausele,

Andrea Williams, and Elise Winters.

Eleanor Bolton

Maggie Meister

Sara Basch

Liz Schock

Carolyn Morris Bach

Elaine Cox

This exhibition will run from

October 11 through October 14.

Proceeds benefit the Museum’s exhibition

and education programs.

For more information about this exhibition and

 items available for purchase

you can visit the MAD website.



Enamel Flowers by Linda Darty

The rich color of transparent enamels fired over

polished metal is delicate and fascinating.

One of our favorite enamelists is

Linda Darty.   This artist, author, and teacher
does it all and does it wonderfully well.

Her current collection features a broad range

of recurring floral motifs, but they're

 not just simple flowers.

Her jaw-dropping silver settings are designed as 

flowers, leaves and branches which are

then matched with delicately

enameled blossoms.

She is a master of champlevé and cloisonné

enamel techniques and it is these particular pieces in her

collection that we love the most.

But sometimes it's difficult to decide which are

more beautiful - the settings or the enamel centerpieces.

As one examines her work in the light the viewer

notices different colors

begin to appear more pronounced.

It's mesmerizing to turn it in the light and

enjoy its richness and depth.

 The enameling medium is demanding and unforgiving.

Yet when done well the effects can be spectacular.

Her painterly approach to enameling

 produces irresistible gemlike surfaces, brilliant colors,

extraordinary depth and varied textures.

Luckily, for those who love her designs

 there will be an opportunity to see some of her

work in person this month.

Linda will be participating in the annual Signs of Life

contemporary jewelry art show being exhibited

at Facèré Art Jewelry Gallery.

One of her contributions to this event will be

a multi-dimensional brooch created with 

her trademark champlevé and cloisonné

enamel techniques.

It's called Santa Maria del Fiore.

Signs of Life 2011 showcases work by only nine jewelry

artists paired with nine writers in a unique

publication that celebrates both

literature and jewelry art.

This exhibition will run from

October 5 - October 26, 2011.

For more information about the

Signs of Life exhibition you can visit

Facere Art Jewelry Gallery.

And for more info about the artist
you can visit her website.