Upcycled Color - Tamra Gentry Jewelry

It looks like a gemstone called agate.

But it's not agate.

It looks like a metal-working technique

called mokume gane.

But it's not.

So, what exactly is it?

Old paint.

But not just any old paint. This is a hidden treasure that

has been salvaged from trash and re-purposed into

truly innovative jewelry by metalsmith Tamra Gentry.

Known as Fordite or Motor City Agate it is

made of layers and layers (and more layers) of

automotive enamel paint that used to be

manually spray-painted onto cars

at the auto factories during the 1960s and 1970s.

While the cars eventually left the painting

stations the excess overspray was left behind.

Layers of enamel paint built up over time on the

 walls of all those painting stations and were

 baked on repeatedly.  When this manual painting

process was automated the creation

 of Fordite ceased.

Salvaged Fordite is in limited supply.

And what was once destined for the landfill

 upcycles beautifully into exquisite jewelry.

This artist uses a variety of fabrication

techniques to infuse stylish new life into

 a manufacturing byproduct.

These pieces are definitely top drawer.

In a striking array of colors

these pieces are both stunningly stylish

and eco-friendly.

Pairing many of her pieces

with gemstones she cleverly provides

a stunning counterpoint to the

vintage auto enamel.

It's obvious that Tamra's technical skills

are superb and her designs are

innovative and very feminine.

One can consider them to be

artistic expressions set in silver.

We love to be enchanted and inspired by artists

 who are using objects that had a previous life

and creating something with a different purpose.

In this particular case, we're impressed that

 a substance that was truly

considered as wasted product for one industry

has become a valuable material for another.

For more information about these

colorful nuggets of beauty visit

Tamra's website.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Exhibition - Andrea Williams Jewelry

We admire artists who are fully committed

to a personal conviction

to create socially and environmentally

responsible jewelry.

During the month of September,

Patina Gallery in

Santa Fe, New Mexico is hosting

an exhibition of jewelry created by

Andrea Williams called "Stones."

 She's an artist whose work

is devoted to creating jewelry

 that does no harm

to the environment. Every aspect of her focus

 is very eco-conscious

 and her work focuses on the use of beach stones.

 By using recycled/reclaimed

precious metals and lab-created gemstones 

she makes the statement that she will not

 participate in the industrial mining

 of gems and metals from the earth.

 

Her process begins by collecting beach stones

 found along the shoreline.  Using 18k gold

 and sterling silver she creates various kinds

 of bezels, links and hinges. She completes

the process by etching the stones,

inlaying precious metals, and

sometimes setting Venetian glass

or gems into them. 

These earrings are lighter than

one might imagine.

Her ideas are expressed on her website,

" . . . jewelry should not be worn as a status symbol,

but should instead bring us closer to the

earth that birthed the materials."

She honors the simple beauty

that nature produces and

enhances that simplicity

with a bit of elegance.

 

It's interesting to know her inspirations are

as simple as walking on the beach and studying

the details and patterns in the rocks.

 Patina Gallery describes her work as,

"Using beach stones combined with silver and high karat gold, Williams creates works of jewelry practically crafted by Nature herself. By embellishing the stones with a very light touch, she allows the stones their own voice."

This exhibit will run from

September 2nd through September 25th.

For more information you can visit

the 'Stones' exhibit page at

 the Patina Gallery website.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad