so i set this a new one...anyway my mind has been going like crazy since last week, especially since the materials class. I can't stress how amped I am for this course!!!
Before I jump into my ideas for the class I wanted to showcase some of my favorite designers using awesome materials (some of these are on the class blog, but I wanted to reiterate my love for them as well)
Margaux Lange
Margaux's work is unlike any other, she uses a utilitarian American toy, the Barbie doll and transforms it into unbelievable wearable art. She delightfully dismembers the faces, eyes, hands, arms, and chests of the iconic doll and pairs them with colorful resin and sterling silver to create masterpieces. Her work baffles me...it is unlike anything I have ever seen, pure genius. Each piece has a mind/motive of its own. Some at first glance take a moment to decipher as Barbie dolls, whereas others are overtly obvious bringing a playful and fun feel to art jewelry. She has a great blog, constantly showcasing her newest works in progress and showing off her studio spaces and Barbie stockpiles. Her work is captivating, she lets the Barbie cross-sections become the focus and her metal-working and resin accents add into the story.Unearthen
Each year on my birthday my mom and I go on a shopping adventure, when I turned 20 I was miserable, had no plans so we went on the tried and true, trip to the Avenue in Hampden for some funky antique finds. It had been years since our last trip, that used to be rituals, this time we found many fun new shops, including Shine Collective. Other than finding the same awesome laser cut Alex + Chloe Kate Moss necklace I just received earlier I stumbled upon this gorgeous pendant necklace. I was drawn to the bullet casing (being the gun freak I am- hello gorgeous design) and my love of raw gems combined. The packaging was awesome as well, a glass test-tube vial holding the piece housed in a wooden box...severe dedication down to the last detail. They also come complete with the healing benefits and personality traits for the wearer of each stone. I personally don't buy into this type of information but it was oddly spot-on between the 2 i really wanted. My goal is to own the large amethyst piece shown above within the next year.The Opulent Project
I first saw these earrings at a trip to Jewelerswerk Gallerie in DC and fell in LOVE! After the trip I tracked them down and ordered a pair of their laser-cut chandelier earrings. These were cut from fluorescent light covers that you most likely see everyday, or don't notice, over your head. The texture of the covers adds more dimensionality to the earrings. I love wearing these, their virtually weightless but get tons of compliments. The company is based out of Portland, OR and they are very nice and accommodating. They recently re-vamped their website and came out with a bunch of new designs...check them out!
Uli Rapp
I first caught a glimpse of Uli's work after Jan and Heidi came back from Dutch Design Week. Jan was sporting an awesome brooch that I loved. I'd always been obsessed with the ghosted skeleton of gems, especially a side profile of a round faceted stone. My first 2 projects in Jewelry I chronicled this love. Uli integrated gem facets into her work beautifully. She screenprints her designs onto rubberized wet suit material in a variety of colors and finishes. Her diamond silhouette necklace has been on my purchase list for a while now...but I know where my tax refund is going this year...I'm finally buying that baby after almost 2 years of yearning to support one of my favorite artists. If someone shows their love for stone silhouettes and guns in a unique fascinating way, I'm in and gotta have it!
Karen Gilbert
I first saw Karen Gilbert's work at ACC last year. She uses a variety of different materials in her work such as glass, metal, and mica as showcased above. Her work is very unique. She also exhibited at the Smithsonian Craft Show, where I got a chance to have a quick chat with her as I took a break from working. Her pieces are beautiful and inspiring. I love her mica pieces, she takes a delicate material and makes such a complex piece that makes a bold statement. Her glass pieces are stunning as well, it was after looking at her work I really started to think outside of the "traditional metalsmith" realm. At the time I wasn't sure how to implement these new found materials into my personal work, but I knew there was a profound interest and room to explore and learn more.Eric Silva
Eric Silva has been at ACC each year that I have gone to the show, early on I found his booth and really took interest in what he does. Each year its always interesting to check back and see what's new. He uses a variety of materials in his pieces and gives immaculate attention to detail. For instance he will have a unique bone pendant hanging as the focal point, yet the clasp will have another material dangling from the clasp "just another treat for the wearer and detail for the viewers" as he described to me. It makes so much sense! Sure you can always throw on a quick clasp, but the extra detail adds a new element to the piece as a whole. His work is gorgeous, I know quite a few people who couldn't resist it and have picked up his pieces for themselves, I'm still kicking myself for not returning to a retail day 2-3 year ago to snag up a bracelet I fell in love with! He really knows how to integrate diverse materials into traditional metal work and make a statement while doing so.