amethyst pirate necklace (luxury)

i’m just like the next guy. i’m all for strands of purple gemstones that are delicately connected with 18k rose gold links, which have teeny kick-ass, hand-carved coral skulls hanging from them, like this one from german designer erich zimmermann, but does it really need to cost $8900? really?

it’s cool, and scary in more than one way.

you can find it at moss, and if you buy it will you please send me a photo of you wearing it? and you bank account number? thanks.

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caravan bracelet collection by scosha

remember those little braided friendship bracelets you used to make for your little friends in grade school? no? that’s okay. even if you don’t you might enjoy these linen and flax bracelets with cute button closure and pretty 18k gold and gemstone details from the caravan collection of australian born, new york-based designer scosha woolridge.

see the full selection and lots more at scosha’s website.

via refinery 29

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janine golbert jewelry

beautiful and feminine are only two of the ways i could describe the jewelry of uruguay born, israel-based artist janine golbert aka etsy seller eninaj. having lived around the world and making a successful career in both graphic and interior design, janine decided to pursue her dream of creating her own line of jewelry and accessories. the resulting collection is intricate, expressive and sensual, featuring laser cut sterling silver, a soothing and surprising leather color palette, pearls and fabric.

all the things i love are present here: attention to detail, skillful technique, gorgeous patterns and unusual material combinations.

purchase these items and see the full collection at janine’s etsy shop.

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frucci jewelry design - let’s chat!

(ed. note: welcome first-time readers! if you enjoy this article about fru, please click on the other categories to the left to enjoy even more posts about other talented artists and designers. better yet, feel free to be impulsive and click on subscribe to the right, and i will bring the good stuff to you instead! thank you for visiting!)

i had to remember to breathe when i saw these wondrous paper creations from california artist francesca vitali, aka fru. this talented designer from rome, italy crafts stunning jewelry from folding and weaving layers and layer of papers, then integrates them with other materials such as copper and leather to create her gorgeous frucci design collection. everything is so precise and pristine, with well defined edges, but still soft and wearable. and i love her color combinations and finishing details. let’s have a chat with fru and find out more!

q: where do you live and where do you make your jewelry?
a: at the moment i live in southern california. i’m here because of my work. i’m a penitent scientist trying to transition into art. i make my pieces mostly at home, i have set up a little corner studio, but to tell you the truth i generally spread my work in progress everywhere. i also have access to a jewelry studio at my school, where i work with metal…especially soldering metal, which is something i’m not allowed to do at home!

q: what is your background, and did you ever study art formally?
a: for the longest time i’ve regretted not pursuing my creative nature by studying art! my formal education background is in science. i got my “laurea” in chemistry in italy and my phD in organic chemistry in switzerland. since then, i’ve being working in research as structural biologist at a different university, but something changed since i came here (to the united states). i started thinking again of my art education, and last summer i attended my very first formal class in metal, at penland school of craft. that experience changed my life! after penland, i signed up for a class at calstate fullerton taught by a great metalsmither, christina smith, and next spring i’ll attend an intensive two month jewelry course in san francisco. and i’m also considering applying for grad school.

q: can you tell us a little bit about your collection?
a: i started this new line of woven/folded jewelry almost three years ago, when my sister, who knew how much i enjoy working with paper, got me some pre-cut paper strips. she knew one day i would come up with a good use for them…and i did! i like to repurpose old techniques with new media. one of my preferred techniques at the moment is weaving. i’m still experimenting with new paper shapes, new paper sources and new combinations of materials. i use shopping bags, old magazine pages, old catalog pages from my lab, coupons, old maps, museum newsletters, and new paper too. so far this has been a great creative process that is still evolving!

q: do you think there is a connection between art and science, and do you find inspiration in the combination?
a: i definitively think art and science are connected and the link is nature. for me, it is interesting to attempt to both understand and describe nature. i’ve been creative all my life, and for some time i thought science could be creative too…but there is nothing in the world that gives me as much pleasure as working on one of my pieces!

i get inspired by everything surrounding me, i guess. i never really know exactly where my inspirations come from, because normally they all come during the night while i’m sleeping. sometimes i wake up in the morning with an idea and i can’t stop thinking of it until i make it happen! kind of crazy, no?!

q: does it come naturally to you to blend the left brain analytical type of thinking with the right brain creative way?
a: i don’t know if it comes naturally, because i’m dyslexic and so to me left or right makes little difference! i will say that while my “right brain” background is self-taught, luckily i come from a family of great crafters (my mum is a great knitter, and my grandma was an excellent embroiderer).

q: what is the price range of your collection?
a: i like to give my customers lots of choices, so i have a broad price range ($9 to $250). people can just “taste” my paper jewelry for few dollars buying the cubetto earrings, or they can select very elaborate pieces that of course are more expensive.

purchase fru’s collection at her etsy shop, and be sure to check out fru’s flickr stream to see more beautiful things.

thank you fru!

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beanwad handmade jewelry

love these delicate but still funky pieces of gemstone jewelry from local artist erin costello - another renegade craft fair find!

purchase her work here.

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rachiele gemstone sinks

if you are a texture nerd like me you might go mad for these rough gemstone sinks and countertops from the rachiele company of florida. they are using large chunks of genuine stones like turquoise, amber and jasper to craft rugged, rustic pieces for commercial and residential interiors.

see the full selection on their website, including their beautiful copper countertops and sinks, which were featured in the 2006 hgtv house.

via trendir

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