Paper Jewels

I am pleased to have my work included with 5 other international contemporary jewelers in the current show at Paper Hammer Gallery in Seattle. It includes some beautiful work, and the reception will be part of this week-end's First Thursday art walk. Here is a brief excerpt from the press release, and you can click on the gallery name in this paragraph for images from all of the participants:

The exhibition showcases six artists who use a variety of techniques to alter
paper from its original state into wearable art.
The value of the jewelry is based on the act of this
altering, rather than the intrinsic value of gold, silver, or gemstones. The works range from
emphasizing the ephemeral to the enduring qualities of paper.

Opening reception: Thursday, February 2, 2011, 5–7 p.m.

Paper Hammer Gallery shares space with Marquand Books at 1400 Second Avenue in downtown Seattle.

COSTUME COSTUME II

I sure do love the boxes I got at SCRAP (Scrounger's Center for Reusable Art Parts) last week. It is a fabulous place that was started as a nonprofit in 1976 during our country's last financial crisis to provide art supplies to school teachers. It is still much needed, is going strong, and is my source for all paper and packaging for my work. Below these little beauties are filled with my pieces for the COSTUME COSTUME II show that opened at Sienna Gallery 07.02.2011. More on the show below...



COSTUME COSTUME is a collection of work made by emerging contemporary art jewelers. It is an exploration of costume jewelry as subject; jewelry about jewelry. I am very excited to be part of the show, curated by everyone's favorite upcycler Arthur Hash, and sponsored by Erin Gardener's The Opulent Project.
The first version of this show was presented at this year's SOFA NY by Sienna Gallery, and I highly encourage a tour of their photobooth, which is available on their facebook page and is linked here.


The show is an exciting opportunity for me, and we all do thrive with a deadline, don't we? I explored the cameo as iconic (costume) jewelry memorabilia, and was thinking a lot about the empty nostalgia that costume jewelry can evoke for me. My cameos were paper blanks, empty of any actual faces or remembrances, and included ribbons and bows as decorative elements. You can see on flickr that I am very enamored of my ribbon at the moment! The show is up at the gallery in Lenox, MA with selected pieces available online through 08.25.2011.

Cartier and America

Cartier emerald diamond necklace

Cartier crocodile necklace/double bracelets made for Maria Felix

San Francisco is buzzing with jewelry and metalwork this spring, and I am excited to be able to take advantage of the bounty. This Sunday I joined about twenty Metal Arts Guild members on a private tour of the Cartier and America exhibit at the Legion of Honor , which was fantastic.

The Legion is up on a hill in the northwestern wilds of San Francisco, and the building and view from its grounds are always spectacular. Any place you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, the bay, Marin, and the Transamerica building from the same spot is alright with me!

The exhibit is a must-see, and drips with diamonds, platinum, and the almost textile-like articulated movement of thousands of tiny linked elements that Cartier did so well. The patrons of the famous jewelry are a part of the exhibit, and the early 'new rich' in America clearly loved their tiaras, necklaces, and body adornment. The historical pieces range from 1899 to the 1970s, with most of my favorites being the earlier work. None of the pieces are done justice by the images available online, so I have included only a few here.

The show has been extended until May 9, and the museum's well-attended free day is the 1st Tuesday of the month. The $10 special exhibit surcharge is well worth your hard-earned money.

Elizabeth Taylor wearing Cartier

Mexican film superstar Maria Felix wearing Cartier