What looked like total chaos was very clear in my head, and I couldn't wait to make a start. Here's a sampling of what I accomplished the last couple of days when I should have been writing. Modern silver and gemstone jewelry!
Showing posts with label jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jewelry. Show all posts
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Diversions
Sometimes I have good intentions, but I get sidetracked. This past weekend is a perfect example. I've been posting faithfully on Wednesdays and Saturdays for several weeks now, and I truly meant to post on Saturday. But I got two huge shipments of beads on Friday, and my plans for the blog went right out the window.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
The jewelry of Line Vautrin (Repost)
An earlier post about French designer Line Vautrin focused on her mirrors, which she called her "witches." She was also known for jewelry, boxes, powder compacts and other objects.
She started making gilt bronze jewelry at age 15 and selling it door-to-door. Already quite savvy about business, she sent out her invoices under her father's letterhead, because she was too young to own a company.
Her work was bold and dramatic, and it was often inscribed with the words of her favorite poets, prompting Vogue magazine to call her "The Poetess of Metal."
She was a prolific artist, setting a goal for herself of one object each day.
From independent.co.uk, agentofstyle.com and line-vautrin.fr
In the 1973 photo below, Vautrin poses in front of one of her folding screens. She is holding a Talosel sculpture with metal inlays. On her right is a Talosel egg inlayed with mirrors.
She started making gilt bronze jewelry at age 15 and selling it door-to-door. Already quite savvy about business, she sent out her invoices under her father's letterhead, because she was too young to own a company.
Her work was bold and dramatic, and it was often inscribed with the words of her favorite poets, prompting Vogue magazine to call her "The Poetess of Metal."
She was a prolific artist, setting a goal for herself of one object each day.
From independent.co.uk, agentofstyle.com and line-vautrin.fr
(Technical issues resulted in search engine problems for almost two years' worth of my older posts, so I am reposting the ones
I consider most informative. Though some of you have already viewed them, they
will be new to others of you. Originally posted 10/6/2013)
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| C'est la vie bracelet line-vautrin.fr |
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| Icare bracelet line-vautrin.fr |
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| Les arrondissements de Paris bracelet line-vautrin.fr |
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| Vertebres necklace line-vautrin.fr |
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| Le furet necklace line-vautrin.fr |
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| Petit poisson deviendra grand necklace line-vautrin.fr |
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| Les cœurs de Paris earrings |
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| O comme oreilles earrings line-vautrin.fr |
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Le Métro belt
line-vautrin.fr
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| Drapé powder compact line-vautrin.fr |
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| De la poudre powder compact line-vautrin.fr |
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| Le jour et la nuit powder compact line-vautrin.fr |
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| Drapé frangé cigarette box line-vautrin.fr |
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| La mer cigar box line-vautrin.fr |
In the 1973 photo below, Vautrin poses in front of one of her folding screens. She is holding a Talosel sculpture with metal inlays. On her right is a Talosel egg inlayed with mirrors.
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| line-vautrin.fr |
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Modern jewelry: Betty Cooke
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During her early college years at Johns Hopkins, she had apprenticed with a local jeweler whose designs were very dainty and floral. She taught Cooke to solder, but Cooke's modern designs were all her own.
In the 1940s, Cooke packed up a box of her jewelry and made a trip across the United States, trying to persuade retailers to carry her work. Along the way she stopped by the Walker Art Center, which was putting together a show. They included several of her pieces in their 1948 Good Design show, which helped launch her career.
Over the years, Cooke's work has been seen on the fashion runway, included in State Department tours overseas, has been acquired for collections of prestigious museums, and has won numerous prizes and awards, most notably the De Beers Diamond Today awards in 1979 and 1981.
Cooke has also collaborated with her architect husband, William Steinmetz.
From antiquesandthearts.com and modernsilver.com
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| Gold and jade ring ornamentalelements.com |
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| Silver bird brooch ebay.com - Zuburbia |
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| Gold and lapis bead ring craftcouncil.org |
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| Silver and quartz neck ring meappropriatestyle.com |
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| Silver and wood brooch slapmefabulous.com |
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| Silver and brass brooch mschon.com |
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| Silver and plexiglass brooch mfa.org |
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| Gold ring 1stdibs.com |
Friday, December 19, 2014
More distractions
I stayed with a sick friend last night, so again I didn't get a post done, but I thought I'd share with you the results of my beading binge. I only have enough materials left for a couple more, so I promise to return to our regularly scheduled program soon.
Now it's off to bed to get some much-needed sleep!
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| Wooden pendant inlaid with silver, tigereye with silver beads and findings |
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| Green marble and silver beads and findings |
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| Canyon marble, pink lepidolite, silver beads and Thai Hill Tribe silver focal bead |
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| Noreena jasper, red sesame jasper, red rainbow jasper, goldstone, carnelian, Hill Tribe silver |
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| Yellow marble, faceted glass, bone focal, silver findings |
Now it's off to bed to get some much-needed sleep!
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Easily distracted
OK, I admit it. When I was supposed to be researching a post for today, I got distracted. I ordered the materials to make 6 or 8 new necklaces, and all the beautiful gemstones and silver findings have been coming in for the last few days, so I spent my time making chunky, asymmetrical modern jewelry instead of writing.
This has been a hobby of mine for several years, but I do it in fits and starts. And when I start, I tend to get just a bit obsessive and string beads for hours at a time. I don't need a Magic 8 Ball to see that in my immediate future.
This has been a hobby of mine for several years, but I do it in fits and starts. And when I start, I tend to get just a bit obsessive and string beads for hours at a time. I don't need a Magic 8 Ball to see that in my immediate future.
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| 30" necklace made from Picasso marble and Thai Hill Tribe silver |
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
More modern jewelry
I've always had a weakness for jewelry, but lately it seems I search more and more often for unusual modern pieces, new and vintage. Here are the latest that have caught my eye.
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| Orbit pendant etsy.com - hartleystudio |
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| Koro-Koro ring hinge-dept.com |
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| Silver pendant from Finland, circa 1968 ebay.com - marishop-us |
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Modern jewelry: Alexander Calder
Calder made no effort to mass produce his jewelry designs. Instead, he made them as expressions of art and his love for the recipient. When these pieces are auctioned today, they bring incredibly high prices.
From lecabinetdecuriosite.com
All images from calder.org
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| Belt |
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| Bracelet |
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| Hair comb |
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| Ring |
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| Necklace |
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| Belt |
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| Necklace |
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| Necklace |
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| Ring |
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Jewelry by Nanna Ditzel
Ditzel's innovation in the use of silver and gold over those five decades has resulted in uniquely modern pieces that stood out as her own. This simplicity and elegance in precious metals helped create the "Georg Jensen look."
From grasilver.com
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| Sterling brooch ebay.com - copenhagensilvercom |
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| Sterling necklace with carnelian stone grasilver.com |
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| Sterling necklace 1stdibs.com |
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| Sterling earrings grasilver.com |
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| Sterling Surf bracelet scarabantiques.com |
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| Sterling brooch thegoodaygallery.com |
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| Sterling earrings grasilver.com |
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| Enamel bracelet 1stdibs.com |
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| Gold and pearl brooch galleryninetwofive.com |
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| Gold bangle bracelet lauritz.com |
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