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Paper and Structure Working Together - Jessica Beels Jewelry

Jewelry created by Jessica Beels is
innovative and imaginative.
She is a prolific artist with a distinctive style
that's recognizable by her signature
handmade paper and steel creations.

 On her blog she describes the many stages of her process
from building the armature, to making the flax and
mulberry paper, and finally adding surface treatments.
What is especially enlightening is to understand how
part of the process includes having
the stretched paper distort the form of
the underlying structure as it dries.



I make handmade paper from overbeaten flax and mulberry (kozo and gampi) fiber and place it, still wet, over reed or wire armatures. The paper shrinks radically as it dries, leaving a taut, transparent skin on the pieces. I particularly like the way high-shrinkage paper distorts its armature, lending an element of unpredictability to the process of completing each piece.  Often, I print the wet paper with inks and paints and, when the paper is dry, infuse the surface with wax to seal it and enhance its translucence. I am intrigued with how the opaque and sometimes reflective quality of the inks contrasts with the glow of the paper fibers.



Here are some examples of how
diffused light passes through the paper
and shows the hidden structure
underlying the design.






One can see how the paper
shrinks and wraps tightly
around her frameworks.





Continuous structural experimentation
has led this artist to
explore ever more diverse,
unpredictable and intricate designs.


Complex and creative things emerge from
these explorations, and by
using a narrow color range the focus
is directed to the shapes and textures.





It's obvious that her work is
inspired by many biological forms.
It allows for endless exploration of
nuanced shapes and silhouettes.



We found out on the artist's website that
some of her newest pieces are
 currently on exhibit
at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut.
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The exhibition is called,
"Bijoux: The Origins and Impact of Jewelry"
and explores a broad view of the materials
that have been used in jewelry
over the centuries "from bones and fossils, to diamonds
and . . . explores the ingenuity of artists
to create adornment from a host of materials,
from the common to the sublime."
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This artist's contribution to the exhibit is
" a three-piece jewelry set of paper-over-steel
work with pearls and gold leaf. The necklace is a spiky
Elizabethan-collar-inspired piece with echoes
of sea urchins and horseshoe crabs;
the bracelet is an open sea urchin form;
the earrings are a two-tiered spiky blossom form."


If you look closely, you can see the pearls
she has hand sewn into the corners.
What she doesn't mention is the fact that
these pieces are made with
 seaweed-infused papers.
It adds to the marine life aesthetic.



There is no doubt her innovative and distinctive
 style stands out in any crowd.
We can almost feel the spirit of the
artist in each piece.
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"Bijoux: The Origins and Impact of Jewelry"
 runs until March 11, 2012
and more information can be found at the
Bruce Museum's website.
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You can also find additional images
and information at the artist's website.



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Lego Birthday Party










I can hardly believe Will just turned six and this year as you can tell everything was all about Lego.  We had Lego cupcakes, a Lego cake and of course a all boy Lego party with his friends. 

Happy Birthday Will!
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Kristen's Custom Creations Cyber Monday Special!



Please enjoy 15% off for one day only.  Enter code CYBER15 at check out for your discount.  Offer expires 11/28/11 and not valid on prior purchases or with any other offer.   Happy Shopping!

La Dolce Vita
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Happy Thanksgiving



Happy Thanksgiving friends!  Wishing all a happy feast!
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New in the shop I love you to Pieces


Something new in the shop and it is hand stamped on a brass puzzle charm.  Do you love the charm?  
The i love you to pieces necklace is a hand stamped brass puzzle charm that measures 1 1/4 inch long by 15/16th of a inch wide. The charm has been hand stamped in tiny block font and hangs on a 18 inch sterling silver bead ball chain.  You can find it HERE.

La Dolce Vita
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Making a Statement - Francisca Bauzá Jewelry

Statement jewelry is meant to make a statement.
Necklaces created by Francisca Bauzá
make a bold statement - both in terms
of color and size.

First, let's talk about the colors.
Simply stated, they are beautiful.
 This artist's collection features enameling
 on copper and silver.
Some of the colors are 
 gentle and muted.
They look like gently brushed
watercolors - a mere whisper of color.
Then there are the deep jewel tones
that almost vibrate with intensity.
It all works together in visual harmony.

Now let's talk about the size.
The separate components
are fabricated in a range of sizes
and when all the components come
together the result is a
gorgeous, oversized
statement piece that
can take your breath away.

The combination of size and color
creates a necklace that makes
an audacious statement.
It's a perfect combination.

Here's an example. 

This floral necklace uses a range of
warm tones from the
 palest shades of blush, carnation and rose
to deeper shades of ruby, magenta,
scarlet and russet.






This pleasing palette provides luster and depth
that is wonderfully captivating.



 

And the effect when worn is bold and strong.
It's a real show stopper.





Other pieces in this collection feature
colors like topaz, amber,
goldenrod and mahogany.
Again, each component blends
harmoniously with the others.



Working with a cooler range of color
also provides
interest and visual intrigue.

Here's a gorgeous example of her work in blue tones.
 From the tiniest hint of robin's egg blue and aquamarine,
to dabs of cerulean and splashes of turquoise,
each color adds depth and interest to the necklace.





This necklace is stunning.
The play of light and color
in each translucent color creates
luscious, glossy surfaces with mottled effects.





Creating variegated hues and patterns
on each metallic component allows
the artist freedom to combine
color and effect in endless combinations.
The final result is eye catching.





As I said earlier,
statement jewelry is meant to make a statement.
If you make a statement be prepared
for a reaction.
These pieces will
always spark a conversation.
And attract lots of attention.
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Don't say I didn't warn you.
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For more photos of this
collection you can visit the artist's website.

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Nestle Cars 2 Movie Night In Package Giveaway Winner announced



The winner of the Cars 2 giveaway package is Breanne of Yankee Doodle Sweetheart.  Congratulations Breanne!

A special thank you to everyone who entered! 
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Exhibition - From Minimal to Bling

The current exhibition at the
Society of Arts and Crafts
in Boston, MA is called,
From Minimal to Bling: Contemporary Studio Jewelry.”
 It runs from November 4 – December 30, 2011
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This biennial event is described as presenting
“the best of contemporary American studio jewelry
 and demonstrating the range of conceptual and technical
approaches being employed by 33 invited artists."
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Those 33 artists include:
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Efharis Alepedis, Amuck, Allyson Bone,
 Klara Borbas, Melissa Borrell, Jessica Calderwood,
Joseph Churchman, Lisa and Scott Cylinder, Fosterweld,
 Don Friedlich, Michele A. Friedman, Charity Hall,
Rebecca Hannon, Ian Henderson, Kevin Hughes,
Chris Irick, Laura Jaklitsch, Deb Karash,
Satomi Kawai, Judith Kinghorn, Andrew L. Kuebeck,
Brooke Marks-Swanson, Toby Milgrim,
Gustav Reyes, Marissa Saneholtz, Claire Sanford,
 Leslie A. Schug, Melissa Stiles, Cynthia Toops,
 Myung Urso, Jennifer Wall,
Stacey Lee Webber and Joe Wood.

With materials ranging from
enamel to plastic to metal
and themes ranging the spectrum from
organic motifs to techology,
this exhibit brings together
a wide range of work
appealing to a wide range of tastes.
The name 'From Minimal to Bling'
is an appropriate appellation for
such an interesting show.

Here are a couple of images
from this exhibit.

Charity Hall


Jessica Calderwood



Here’s an opportunity to see
an eclectic collection of work from a
diverse group of studio artists.

For more information about this exhibition
you can visit the SAC website.

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Easy Lego Brick Cookies


Will asked me to make Lego Brick cookies as his class snack for his Birthday.  My intentions were to make them from scratch but one day while shopping at Target an idea struck me and I ran with it. (It was two days before his snack day)

Supplies:

Pepperidge Farms Chessman cookies
Wilton cookie icing (Target had a 3 pack with red, white and green.  I added blue food coloring to the white to make blue)
M & M's

Directions:

Flip your Chessman cookies over and outline them with the icing, let sit just briefly.  Next fill in the rest of the icing and then just arrange your M & M's. Next just allow the icing to dry overnight.  I put mine in a cupcake carrier so it would be airtight. 

  Eventually I will make the Lego Brick Cookies from scratch but these were a hit with Will's class and the kids didn't mind that they weren't made from scratch.   The best part is kids can makes these too.
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Special Offer Kristen's Custom Creations



Please enjoy 10% off your next new order by entering code NOV10 at checkout. 

** Offer good until Monday November 21st and not valid on prior purchases or with any other offer. 
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Leather Flowers Everywhere - Tanya Igic Jewelry

No need to wait
until spring to see bright splashes of color.
There are flowers everywhere in the
 hothouse of leather-made
blooms created by Tanya Igic.

This artist knows a thing or two
about form, whether in the structure of
a fuchsia or a spring-fresh
chrysanthemum.

By trial and error, this self-taught artist
has learned her craft over the years.
And she has certainly learned it well.

Working with fine-grade leather
her design process involves a lengthy
set of procedures to cut and bind many
layers of the material to create a
single petal.

This artist has developed a keen eye
for graceful silhouettes.
When embellished with sterling silver
each bloom seems to come to life.





The work is labor intensive.
The results are beautiful.






Simplicity of line and form
can be seen in each bloom.







Each flower looks as though it
was just snipped from the garden.







Picturesque and dainty.
One almost expects to see
dewdrops on the petals.







These full-bodied compositions
will remain fresh forever.







Each burst of color
brings springtime just
a little bit closer.






Leather jewelry can be interpreted
 in so many ways.
We admire how this artist's interpretation
 includes a strong sense of drama and élan.

You can see more at the artist's website.

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Customer FavoritesThe I love you more collection






The I love you more pieces are customer favorites and make perfect gifts for just about any occasion.  The inspiration behind these pieces came from my son Will.  We would go back and forth saying I love you more.  Show someone how much you love them with one of these special pieces.  You can find them HERE.

La Dolce Vita
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Thanksgiving inspiration via Pinterest


Aren't these Turkey Rice Krispy treats adorable?



To me it isn't Thanksgiving with out Pumpkin Cheesecake.



A fun keepsake craft for the kiddos, a Turkey from their hand print.



Source: bhg.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Acorn napkin rings, so simple and cute!

I hope this provided some inspiration!  Gobble Gobble!
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Nestle Cars 2 Movie Night In Package Giveaway

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Enter for your chance to win a Cars 2 movie night in package sponsored by Juicy Juice and Cars 2! One lucky winner will be selected.

The package includes:


The Cars 2 Blu-Ray DVD, a $25 rewards card to buy snacks and special edition Cars 2 JUICY JUICE eight-box juice boxes.

To enter leave a comment and tell me what your favorite Disney movie is.

Extra entries:  (Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)

***Follow my blog 1 extra entry

***Tweet about this giveaway 1 extra entry

***Facebook about this giveaway 1 extra entry

Good luck!  Contest closes on November 18th at 11:59 EST.  Contest open to US residents only.  Please leave a valid way to contact you if you are the randomly chosen winner. 
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