Dramatic Designs in PMC - Lynn Cobb Jewelry

Jewelry created by Lynn Cobb ranges across
a broad spectrum of design.
From gorgeous florals inspired by
Georgia O'Keeffe and Judy Chicago,
to pieces reminiscent of nature, sea life and
architectural elements, each piece is a visual delight.

I find her Flower Series pendants 
 utterly dazzling and dramatic.

Working with fine-silver Precious Metal Clay,
and embellishing her work with elements
such as 22K gold granulation,
enamels and gemstones,
each three-dimensional design is simply stunning.

Here are a few examples of her
meticulous work.

 

To see more of her sophisticated

Precious Metal Clay creations

visit Lynn Cobb's shop.

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From Ancient to Modern - Sophia Georgiopoulou Jewelry

Ancient jewelry-making techniques
are a strong component in the
contemporary jewelry created
by Sophia Georgiopoulou.

Granulation is a featured aspect of many of
her gorgeous pieces; each is meticulously
covered with tiny spheres in linear pattterns.
Opulent and luxurious, each curved
granulated surface is a visual delight.

This artist explains her point of view on her website,

. . . using techniques that span millennia, I design and fabricate jewels that reinterpret the ancient Mediterranean traditions of jewelry-making . . . I work in 18k and 22k gold, silver, pearls, precious and semi-precious stones. My designs are mostly inspired by the Roman, Hellenistic and Byzantine past of the Near East and adapted to a more modern aesthetic . . . I am always inspired by the amazing jewels produced by the splendid civilizations that flourished around the Mediterranean basin in ancient times. The way the craftsmen of old achieved such a degree of perfection in their pieces using only a few simple tools, metal and fire always poses a challenge to me as a goldsmith.

For more information and beautiful images,

visit Sophia Georgiopoulou's website.

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Caroline Viene Jewelry

Some people follow their own internal compass.

Caroline Viene unleashes her inner visions

by creating wonderfully decorative jewelry.

Drawing upon her on metalsmithing

background, and utilizing techniques

such as reticulation, fusing,

embossing and roller printing

she purposely sets out to explore 

her own processes in patination,

surface texturing and patterning on 

 metal. 

Her vision is then set free to create

pieces that are richly textured

with strong coloration.
And each piece is more
appealing than the last.

Multiple layers of metal and processes

produce complex pieces filled

with visual and textural interest.

These pieces highlight the techniques she

masterfully incorporates in her work.

True to her training, she uses traditional

metalsmithing techniques to display

her distinctly unique vision.

Color and texture are deftly handled

by this artist who creates not just a piece

of jewelry but a sculptural piece of art.

We believe that the key to

creating art jewelry is

to find a way to express

one's inner vision.

This artist definitely succeeds.

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Judith Kinghorn Jewelry

It's very easy to feel drawn to

Judith Kinghorn's jewelry.  Her work

is fabricated using a combination of techniques

 including fusing, embossing, die forming,

and granulation. Using a traditional

goldsmith's tool, a mouth-blown torch, she 
creates highly-detailed jewelry by working with
layers of sterling silver and high-karat gold.

 Using the power of one's breath as part

of the process of creating is a
thought-provoking concept.
She literally breathes life
into her work.

Her botanical pieces are enchanting.

The warmth of gold can be hypnotic,

 and the sharp metallic details

provide a vivid contrast to the gentle

blending of luminous color.

Her pieces are often comprised of hundreds

 of individual components that meld together

 exquisitely. Those separate elements seem
at first to be identical to the all the others
but each is distinctly unique.

 

 

 

Each strand is so similar yet different from the others.

 Multitudinous components are a defining
feature of this artist's work.

These surfaces create a delightful play

of darkness and light.

 We love the luminosity of the gold.

Texture and depth of color produce

a spectacular effect.

There is so much detail and
craftsmanship in these
contemporary designs.
It’s obvious the artist has a talent for
creating work of exceptional beauty.
Not only do we see the hand of
the artist in her work, we sense her
spirit is also ingrained in it.

We hope you enjoy it
as much as we do.

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Monique Rancourt Jewelry

 A dear friend of ours recently introduced

us to work created by Monique Rancourt.

We were instantly smitten with all of

her current pieces.

Then we read her thoughts regarding
one's need for adornment and were
left pondering ideas we hadn't
considered before.

On her website, Monique shares

these ideas about jewelry and its

impact upon us.

My passion for creating body adornment has left me with the question: Why do we adorn our bodies? . . . But there is another question: Why do I feel as though I NEED to decorate my body? Isn’t my natural beauty good enough? . . . I think about the pressure I put on myself, as well as the expectations put on me by others, that cause a need to wear a second skin, to stand out, to be someone extraordinary. Although beautiful, body adornment can be a burden. While exploring the history of the corset and body adornment of the Pacific Islands and Africa, I have created a metaphorical body of work . . . exploring the idea of how jewelry gives confidence and is perceived as beautiful when in fact it can be a burden; constricting, heavy and uncomfortable . . . This series is intended to be perceived as extravagantly beautiful while the wearer is in fact constricted and “burdened by her beauty.”

There are many pieces in her collection

that we love but it's her bracelets that

are especially thought provoking.
They dramatize the artist's point

of view succinctly and directly.

These "Magnetic Rubberized Bracelets" are
remarkable. The artist has taken chain and dipped
it in rubber. We find them to be reminiscent
of cords or ropes.

This "Forged Sterling Silver Bracelet" is striking.
 The combination of patination and
granulation adds so much to the elaborate design.
The edges closest to the wearer seem so fierce
yet they're the part we like the best.

This piece is called "Etched Cuff."

It has an outer layer of etched copper that is 

attached to sterling silver. We sense
a fierce armor-like quality in it
similar to chainmail.

This piece is called "Reticulation Bracelet."

In this bracelet, we see layers of sterling silver

elements that are attached to a solid base giving

an initial impression of armor, yet at the same

time we sense distinct imagery of

delicate petals softly caressing the wrist.

Interesting.

Lots of beauty to absorb.

Lots of new thoughts to ponder.

Remarkable. Striking.

Beautiful.

We really can't stop thinking about them.

How do you feel?



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Jill Hurant Jewelry

Jewelry created by Jill Hurant  

is exquisitely detailed,

elegant, and truly one-of-a-kind.

Her masterful use of the ancient technique

of fusing and granulation results in

22k gold jewelry that is warm and rich,

with an intricately detailed, delicate effect.

Each of her pieces is stylishly

handcrafted and showcases her

patience and superb craftsmanship. 

They simply exude panache.

This 5-Link Bracelet is one of our favorites.
The asymmetrical placement of the pearl
sets off the design superbly.

We adore her Double Chain Bracelet

And her Gold Crochet Bracelet is utterly mesmerizing.
The gemstones contrast powerfully with
the lacy effect of the bracelet,
while the granulation adds just
enough visual interest without
overpowering the overall effect.

 

 

We are enthralled with

the richness of the 22k gold

that this artist uses in

her work, and we're

inspired by the fact that

she takes this ancient technique

and gives it a contemporary edge.

Each piece is truly more

lovely than the last.

Enjoy!

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Jacqueline Cullen Jewelry

We are intrigued whenever we see
an imaginative use of
an unusual material in jewelry.
One jewelry artist we have recently
become aware of is Jacqueline Cullen
who is noted for using an ancient material
and transforming it with modern techniques.

Her specialty is Whitby Jet.
Jet was used (and popularized)
in Victorian mourning jewelry.

By using one specific type of jet,
that found only along the shoreline of
Whitby in England, Jacqueline honors a
material that is now rare and might easily
be forever lost to us. With every piece
presenting itself in a raw and ragged state,
what might be considered detritus
to someone looking with a casual eye,
to this artist every crevice and
every imperfection becomes a source
of potential beauty. It is in the
 cracks and fissures
that the artist labors to
create her beguiling jewelry.

By inlaying precious materials such as gold
or gems or crystals, she transforms the old,
the worn and the ragged into works of
elegance and creativity.

It is precisely these imperfections
that eventually become
lovely works of art.
The deep, lustrous shine of the jet
becomes a rich background for the
detailed and minute embellishments
that the artist creates.

Here are a few examples of her
finely-crafted work.

From her Fine Gold Collection we see
a hand-carved Whitby Jet pendant
inlaid with 24K gold.

Here is an example of a pendant from her

Swarovski Crystal Collection.

From her Granulation Collection, we can see 

earrings with 18K gold granulation.

          And here is an example of a 

bracelet with 18K gold granulation.

There is so much here to inspire us.

The idea of making such wonderful

handcrafted jewelry

by using what may be considered

a rather mundane material

and then transforming its simple nature 

by adding precious metals and

other materials is both 

imaginative and inspiring.

Share your thoughts with us.

We'd love to know what you think.

Enjoy!

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Victoria Lansford Jewelry

Elegance. Intricacy. Splendor.

Some words are used sparingly

yet provide a wealth of description.

It is precisely words like

elegant, intricate, and splendid

that truly do describe the

rich and lavish jewelry

created by Victoria Lansford.

Techniques ranging from

chasing and repousse to

granulation, filigree, and more

are showcased in her work.

One of our favorite pieces is this

hinged-cuff bracelet called, 

Stardust on my Sleeve.

These earrings are called

Spiral Dance

This necklace is called

Entwine

We always look forward

to more of the one-of-a-kind

pieces offered by Victoria.

Let us know your opinions.

We'd love to hear from you.

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