Re-Using the Old to Create the New - McKenna Hallett Jewelry

Sometimes it's one's mission to contribute in ways

that go beyond the ordinary.

Using only found, reclaimable materials

McKenna Hallet re-uses things like

roofing, gutters, radiators parts, plumbing components,

airplane engine parts and electrical discards.

Her mission statement

encapsulates the essence of her work in jewelry,

I want to create objects of art with a minimum of impact ON OUR PLANET and to this end I will never use electricity or heat or corrosive chemicals to construct my jewelry and I will use as few items as possible from newly manufactured sources.

She also went on to tell me,

I burn NO fossil fuels: no heat, solder, torches, electricity, zero energy is used.  I believe that is what makes the work compelling . . . and the one hope is for each piece to be an ambassador of my message: REDUCE, REUSE, RETHINK and recycle only when you have no other option. It is my raison d'être for creating my line.



Even without knowing her motivations for creating jewelry,

her work is intriguing, superbly-crafted and fun.

 For instance, the naturally-occurring corrosion

process that happens in copper can produce

wonderfully striking effects.

This pendant is a great example.

An aluminum bangle becomes a study in simplicity.

McKenna captures the essence of

the old and revitalizes 

that energy into delightful earrings

made from used radiator parts.

Finding the beauty in scraps of material from

demolition sites and local junk yards,

and salvaging those tidbits

is the essence of this artist's work.

And it's beautiful work.

There is a lot more information and great images

to see at McKenna Hallett's website.

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Eliana Arenas Jewelry

Over the years we've developed an appreciation
for jewelry that features alternative and
nontraditional materials.
Personal adornment can be more
art than jewelry and we like the idea of using the
human body as a pedestal.

Eliana Arenas has a series of brooches created
with aluminum and clear plastic spoons.
The spoons have been cut and melted
to transform their original shape.
We find the scale and proportion of each piece
establishes a sense of presence - so while
the collection itself is called Absence, these pieces seem
filled with a presence we find intriguing.
Meant to be decorative they actually seem to present
themselves as personal amulets designed to protect
 the wearer against negative energy.

The collection has a breezy cloud-formation vibe.
It magnificently showcases volume, structure
and texture. And we like how she punctuates
the designs with negative space.

Take a look and see for yourself.

 

Each variation draws the eye inward.

 

Similar yet so different.

 

Repetitive elements create movement.

 

 

The variations are never ending.

Jewelry can be many things to many people.
We're glad to have you join us as we continue to explore
what jewelry is and what jewelry can be.

Enjoy!

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Exhibition - Mary Hallam Pearse and Julia V. Turner

We recently became aware of a jewelry exhibition
currently showing at Taboo Studio.
"Fresh Air” is running from
February 11 – March 25, 2011.

"Fresh Air" is a contemporary jewelry art show
featuring new work by eight artists (several of whom
we have previously seen on this blog).
JEWELRY ARTISTS in this exhibition include:
Brooke Battles, Joanna Gollberg, Christy Klug,
Brigid O’Hanrahan, Mary Hallam Pearse,
Ingrid Psuty, Claire Sanford, and Julia V. Turner.


Let's take a look at some examples of the one-of-a-kind
jewelry included in this exhibition.


We find the brooches made by
Mary Hallam Pearse
to be rather exciting and different.
She works with found images and prints
them on thin sheets of aluminum
then incorporates materials such as
sterling silver and diamonds to
create pieces that are unique.
This brooch called "Diamond Tears"
is a real attention getter.

 

And this piece is called "Three Words."

Truly eye catching.

Another artist we admire in this

exhibition is Julia V. Turner.

She is showing a series of

fascinating pendants that feature distressed wood.

This piece is called "Blue Migration Pendant."

In this piece the unspecified type of wood

has been burned and stained.

It’s enclosed by steel and meticulously

decorated with Japanese glass beads.

 

Here's another intriguing example of this artist's work.

This pendant is called "Orange Scatter"- and

here again we see wood that has been

burned and stained, and decorated

with Japanese glass beads.

 

We'd love to see these pieces in person.

If you get the opportunity to attend this exhibit

let us know your thoughts and impressions

of the jewelry on view.

Enjoy the exhibit!

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Peggy Eng Jewelry

When a friend suggested we take
a look at the work of an artist
who specializes in carving and
anodizing aluminum, we were
 intrigued by the idea.

Well, we immediately fell in love
with the sophisticated jewelry
that Peggy Eng creates.
It's detailed, elegant, and evocative
of things in the natural world.
Simply stated, she is truly a
sculptor working in aluminum.

It seems unexpected and counterintuitive
to think about creating delicate, flowing
designs by carving metal and
by using chemical and electrical
processes but the results that Peggy
achieves are simply wonderful.

In her technically proficient hands,
 an ordinary piece of aluminum turns into
something extraordinary. This artist has
the ability to transform a boring metal
into a blend of rich colors and
amazingly textured designs.

There are many bold pieces in her collection.
Here are some of our favorites. 

 

Graceful and dynamic, these earrings
are called "Fleur."
Surprisingly, these measure a mere
1 inch x 1.75 inches.

We adore this brooch called "Split Corner."

In this piece, the soft, subtle wash of
gentle color is the perfect accompaniment
to the Tahitian pearl. 
It's called "Stacked Brooch."

In every piece, her designs have clean,
distinct lines and seem to flow with motion.

While some of her pieces are somber
and dark, we are attracted to her
brightly colored work with their
vibrant, saturated color and engaging
designs. They all seem to exude
a sense of reserved dignity.
We are utterly enchanted.

Enjoy!

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