If you love jewelry and history

Then you have to read Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession and how desire shapes the World.  I've been reading it over the past several weeks and it's fascinating how much jewelry has influenced and changed our world.

There is no denying that what has shaped humans and culture is our handmade objects, our inventiveness specifically with ceramics and jewelry.  It is how anthropologists and archaeologists have learned about our past.

I'm loving this book for the drama and the fact that I learn about jewelry and historical facts, such as how the French Revolution began. I'm making it a goal to read more this year and take time to learn more of the history behind jewelry so this was a perfect match!

As always thank you for reading and have a lovely weekend!

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What's been inspiring me lately

It's been awhile since I've done a post about books and such that inspired me.  And this is perfect timing as I just acquired several new books.

I'll be honest though sometimes I feel guilty that I don't reread some of the current books I have, I feel that because I spent good money on it, I should devour it! I've been an avid reader for a long time and books are a refuge when I'm feeling a bit lost or need to go back and refresh my creativity.  

Here are three books that are either on my nightstand or on the coffee table.

The first is Muses: Women Who Inspire, I received this book from my close friend Cate for my birthday.  She knows me well in that I love a good 'coffee table' book (aka beautiful images and good content).   I've only just begun to leaf through this book but I do enjoy that the majority of women go back to the early 1900's and is rich in drama and passionate relationships between artist, writers, painters and more. 

(I apologize for the blurry images, saved from the internets)

 

Now this book is for the inner geologist in me, as you know I LOVE stones and gems and I'd seen this book previewed on other sites, such as DesignSponge and wanted it.  It's very ironic that the author, Jennifer Altman used to work at Points of Light in Asheville, NC - where I source many of my stones.   This book is an easy read and provides just enough information about select gems and minerals.  

You can purchase Bob's new book here.

And now to a recent book purchase I made locally (and not from Amazon).  Bob Ebendorf currently has a very extensive collection on exhibit at the Greenville Museum of Art.   And I finally got a chance to see his amazing collection, ranging from his early days making rings, to his immaculate hollow ware pieces (in silver and gold! gasp).  This book is fantastic and should be in every jewelers bookshelf as Bob is the grandfather of the early art jewelry movement.  Many of the pieces are a permanent collection at the Racine Art Museum in Racine, WI.  You can purchase this book on RAM's website (in the link above). 

As usual, thank you for reading!
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Behind the Brooch book

I'm surprised that someone hadn't thought up the idea of this book before; however I'm so very happy that Lorena Angulo was the one to curate and launch the book.  She is a woman of force, constantly working in new mediums and experimenting.  I always enjoy reading her blog and facebook updates. 

Below is the cover of the book.  I seriously, CAN'T wait to get my hands on it, I'll have to wait about 14 months!    

The book will be available in February 2014 at Schiffer publishing.

 It's something of an inside thing, with jeweler's and metalsmiths that we always look at the back of a brooch; to study it and see how the designer utilized the back and incorporated design elements.  As with any object that is handmade or meant to last, it's so important to consider each part and function of the object.  

I'm very excited to say that I'll have two brooches featured in the book, this will be the first time I'll be published in a book!!!!  Can you tell how thrilled I am? 

Orthoceras brooch back, 2011

Be sure to bookmark Schiffer publishing and save the book to purchase next year.  Thanks for reading!

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How Animals Grieve

This morning as I was perusing posts on FB I saw one that caught my eye, a brief interview on NPR about this wonderful book by anthropologist Barbara J. King, How Animals Grieve. 

The research and King's statements on the many and various ways that animals can have emotions is very interesting to me.  Animals can experience pain, just as humans can but I think when it comes to grief, happiness and jealousy it can be trickier to discern.  I've always felt that you must have very large respect and caution with animals because as much as we'd like to think we are communicating with them, they are also instinctual and do not have the thought capacity that we do.

This post could go on and I probably wouldn't make much sense (since I'm not the best at writing philosophically); nonetheless it is fascinating to muse and think about.  I plan on buying the book soon, and hopefully read at the beach this summer.  I hope that this post gives you pause for thought and thank you for reading!

Cover of King's book. 

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I've been gone so long!

wow, I haven't posted this long in awhile.  Things have been a bit busy, with getting ready for the Momentary Myth exhibition and trying to get my jewelry in new boutiques I haven't had as much time for blogging or other projects.  

Plus I've been enjoying this month, I love May and the spring when the weather is warmer and I can be outside more often.  I've been playing tennis and running, trying to get more fit and healthy.  

What else have I been up to? Reading! 

The cover and title of Lapham's recent issue, Animals, of course drew me in! And the Lark book, Vintage Jewelry Design and price was too good to resist.  I consider this reading research for my project this summer, preparing for a fashion show I'm organizing!!!

Yes you heard it first here, I'm planning a fashion show, showcasing jewelry and clothing inspired by golden nights, or as the title I've created: Aurelian Nights.  for now it's a bit of a secret but I can't wait to have the first planning meeting with my time.

Steal like an artist is great for anyone, suggestions and advice on how to nurture creativity and lessons from experienced artists.  From Kleon's book, I'm going to take away the advice to be inspired and also blog more about what excites me and has me thinking grand ideas.  

thanks for reading!

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So much Past inside my Present

 Perfect lyric from Feist song for the title of this post!

I'll have to get this book when it comes out; it's wonderful to see a movement of young adults appreciate the beautiful quality of handmade goods and loving the library.  
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Book Reviews: Drawing Jewels for Fashion and Introduction to Precious Metals

My time at Penland brought me back to 'metals' reality, in that just as much as I need to work in the studio, I also need to study the properties of working with metal and sketching/designing a look.

I purchased both of these books to give me examples and lessons in understanding the finer details of fully sketching a design as well as understanding the intricate properties of how metals react to each other and the work we put them through. 

Drawing Jewels for Fashion is a beautifully made book, the sketches are precise and provide a glimpse into the designers of major fashion houses and jewelry companies and where these designers find inspiration, their design process and influence.  The binding of the book is unique too, not glossy or with a print cover that comes undone but a pressed book that feels handmade. 

Some of my favorite designers are featured, such as Solange Azagury-Patridge, Stephen Webster and several others.  I was impressed that most of the designers featured had backgrounds in GIA certification and actually made the prototypes or designed the initial pieces in wax.  

I highly recommend Drawing Jewels for Fashion for anyone that is building a jewelry library collection. 

This book can be purchase on Amazon.

Jana Brevick had Introduction to Precious Metals during our session at Penland, and she drew upon the charts and information from this book quite a bit.  Mark Grimwade is a veteran in the metalsmithing field and is constantly called upon by the Santa Fe Symposium to host workshops and demos on using precious metals.  You can tell by his thorough and indepth knowledge of metals by his detailed graphs, photos and chemistry references that Mark is an expert in the field.

I'm just into the first chapter of the book but I'll say that it is a good read, not too 'sciencey' and very, very necessary for anyone working with metals in general, doesn't even need to be just gold or silver.  It's unfortunate that my program at ECU we aren't required to read books covering metals or manipulation of materials.

This is another highly recommended book and reference tool in the studio.

Also on Amazon.

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Do as I say, not as I do

Marlene Richey's book, Profiting by Design

Y'know the old saying, giving someone advice but not taking your own?

I feel a bit like that myself, when it comes to pricing and evaluating my work. I try to dispense the knowledge and advice from other makers yet, I tell myself I'm too busy to sit down and evaluate the time and costs it takes to make my jewelry. And for that reason I'm doing a complete overhaul and review of my work, pricing, logo, and general design.

I hope that you, my supporters and fans will be understanding when you see the changes; I've come to the realization that I've been undervaluing my work and my own time and energy spent on my pieces and it really isn't fair to me.

So here goes to the big leap and beyond!

P.S. Thinking I need to add another book on selling to my library, maybe Marlene's...
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Ring a ling a ling

Hmmm, favorite kind of jewelry, No. 1 would be rings and then earrings!

If you're like me, a metalsmith and earring fan, then you may want to enter into this book. An international book on earrings with a profile about the artist and their work. Nabbed it from 18kt.




Try it, you just may get published (that's what I'm telling myself)!
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Recommended Reading: Bauhaus Women

I've had this book on my wish list with Amazon for awhile and finally purchased it with a gift card for my birthday.

Though the Bauhaus style and design is not one that I initially gravitate towards, I was more intrigued by the personal stories and lives of the women of the movement and their struggle to be recognized as experts in their field, as well as studying in the art schools.

It's so easy to take for granted the right to study whatever we want, as women, because nowadays we don't have to fight for those rights but back in the late 19th and early 20th century it was not commonplace for women to attend art schools, and if they did, they were relegated to women studies such as textiles.

Not to say that there still isn't sexism in the arts because there is plenty of it; in lesser degrees. I recommend this book for anyone that is interested in the history of Bauhaus and art movements in general.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

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Sketched out

Before the ECU symposium the metals grad students had a brilliant idea to create a book compiled of drawings and designs from attendees own sketchbooks - and now the book is up for sale on Blurb!

Abigail Heuss and Joshua Craig put alot of work and effort to make it happen and I'm so happy they did. One of my sketches is in the book. I'm always fascinated by sketches from artists and how they develop their idea.

I hope you purchase a copy and enjoy soaking in the process as much as I do!

Thank you for reading.
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book of the month: Fashion Jewellery: Catwalk and Couture

I've been wanting this book for awhile, and I finally broke down and bought it...I probably shouldn't have considering the spending I've been doing this holiday season, but oh well!

I highly recommend this book, if you love fashion and jewelry. What I especially like about the book is the interviews with the artist and learning how they got into the business. And how they relax as well...

David & Martin interview, Q & A.
And how do you relax?
Martin: Hunting, riding my motorbike, diving
David: Spending time in the forest, sauna, sex.
*So classic I had to post it.

This book features jewelry artists that have collaborated with major fashion designers, such as Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Commes de Garcones, Alexander McQueen and more.

Here is a quote that I find interesting, from Ludovik Colpaert of Atelier 11 " 'Too many people still think of jewellery in terms of gold, silver, pearls and diamonds, We try to show them that contemporary jewellery can also be fun and what's more that it's entirely possible to be experimental and still be commercial."

You can see photos from the book on Coolhunting's website, they did a great review.
If you want to purchase the book, I'd get it from Amazon.

I'm still devouring this book. Jewellery books are my new obsession so...if you have any interesting, good jewelry book recommendations, let me know!

As always, thank you for reading. Pin It

feeling bookish

My coffee table is littered with books, and it's like candy when I get home, which do I want to read first and then stop and pick up next?


Here are several that I'm reading:
Art Forms from the Ocean by Ernest Hackel

I bought this mainly for more inspiration and to educate myself on enchanting undersea creatures. As you have seen, I'm all about ocean forms in my work!






Russian Legends: Folk Tales and Fairy Tales by David Jackson, Patty Wageman and Ellen Rutten.

My friend Josh Craig loaned me this book. And it has beautiful images and stories.

The theme of fairy tales and imagery has also been showing up in my life, since I LOVE fantasy movies and stories. Along with my order of books I got Pan's Labyrinth, which I have so much more to post on later.







And on to my most recently acquired and prized books, Jewel by Tanel Veenre an exhibition in print.

I was able to get this book due to Charon Kranson's visit to ECU and sending us many juicy jewelry books that aren't available either stateside, out of print or just too expensive to order from half way across the globe!

I really, really dig Tanel's work, he uses a mix of organic, semi-precious and odd materials.

I've got one more book but can't remember the title, I'll post that tomorrow but for now this is my candy picks for the season. Pin It

boxes & lockets

In preparation for making my box, I borrowed a great reference book, The Metalsmith's Book of Boxes & Lockets by Tim McCreight.

Tim's books are well written and easy to follow and he provides excellent and diverse examples of pieces. Pin It