Texture Galore - Birgit Kupke-Peyla Jewelry

Every time we see jewelry by Birgit Kupke-Peyla

we are intrigued by her choices of color,

texture and design. Everything just seems

 to blend together flawlessly.

Birgit's pieces are visually complex

with lots of tactile layers.

We like how she describes her work as

. . . a repetition of bars soldered onto mixed metals with contrasting stripes—sterling overlaid on gold and gold on sterling—layer upon layer of pattern and geometric form, imprinted with contrasting patterns
. . . .

This rich layering of texture and color

becomes jewelry that makes a strong

impression on everyone who sees it.

Working mainly with 22kt yellow gold

and sterling silver, it's the layers and depth

of color that always draw our attention.

Her textural work extends to the interiors

and reverse sides of her work as well.

 

Using many techniques, she'll incorporate

carving, etching, rolling, embossing,

castings, hydraulic fold forming

and finishing it all with patina.

 

Each technique she chooses

brings out the best in her designs.

 

 

We love jewelry made by artists who
work with impeccable skill
and a strong sense of style.

There is no doubt this artist creates all her pieces

with the utmost in

 impeccable skill and technique.

We really can't stop thinking about how stylish
all her pieces are and we're really inspired by
the time and effort that goes into each piece.

You can check out Birgit's work on her website.

 

 

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Back to school...

Q. When you were a kid did you get excited to go back to school?



A. When I was a kid I loved school, and the start of a new year was very exciting for me.



{My baby is starting Kindergarten in a few weeks I find it exciting and nerve racking at the same time}

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You Capture: Ordinary Moments

It is nothing ordinary to Will, in fact I think it is quite extraordinary. On any given day you can find him playing with his Lego. I think right now if he were stranded on a desert island with just Lego he would be just fine.

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Nordic Flair - Erika Honig Jewelry

Jewelry can symbolize many things and for some

it represents a sense of history and a

connection to one's heritage and culture.

Erika Honig creates jewelry that evokes a sense

of connection to her homeland.  Drawing upon her

Swedish family history as inspiration behind her

designs she creates what is called

pewter thread embroidery jewelry

Here's the poetic way she describes it:

Envision the harsh but beautiful landscape of northern Sweden above the arctic circle, often referred to as the land of the midnight sun and the northern lights. This is the home for the Saami People also know as the Lapplanders. Ever since the 16th century they have used a metal thread made of pewter and silver for decorating their clothing and making jewelry. I braid this unique thread and sew it onto the leather by hand. For closure I use hand carved antler buttons or a pewter button. Northern Sweden is my homeland and the source for most of my materials and inspiration.

Her pieces are visually intriguing and the

pewter thread lends itself well

 to plaiting or braiding.

Intricate designs can be made by combining

different braid patterns and by increasing the

number of strands braided together.

Her contemporary pewter thread

embroidery style is distinctly Nordic

and respects the ancient

methods and traditional materials.

Use of color adds additional

dimension and interest to

the designs.

We are inspired by this artist's connection

to her family heritage and how it

serves as the spark that

ignites her signature work.

Enjoy!

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Will June 2006

Will August 2009

Will June 2010

Will August 2011

Same chair just a big boy now! I can't believe Will is starting Kindergarten in just a few weeks. It is bittersweet as I am so excited to see him learn new things but a bit sad that my little guy is going to be gone all day. I worry that he will be able to handle such a long day, but some how I know he will manage just fine with out me. When I was a kid for the most part I loved school, I loved the start of a new year and the shiny new school supplies. I hope he skips to school as I did. But for now we are going to try and savor what is left of our summer!

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Your one word hand stamped necklace

What is your one word, your word that is your mantra, the word that means more to you than anything else. For me right now it is strength... this is something I need and this necklace serves as a reminder for me when I tug on it. Maybe your word is one of the following: faith, love, peace, courage, strength, believe, blessed, serenity.



The "Your one word necklace" is a 925 sterling silver tag that measures approx. 1 inch long and 1/4 inch wide. The tag hangs on a 18 inch sterling silver bead ball chain and includes either a birthstone crystal or a freshwater pearl as shown. This tag will be fully customized with either a name or special word of your choice. If you would like to add additional tags they are $12 each, extra birthstones are $8.

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Innovative and Experimental: Stacey Bentley Jewelry

Innovative and experimental.

These are the words that come to

mind when viewing work created

by Stacey Bentley.

Using iron, wire, silver 

and enamels this artist is changing the

face of enamel jewelry and 

exploring a method of expression that

breaks away from traditional

ideas and processes.

Her work in enamel is unconventional.

Going beyond standard procedures

she creates pieces where the enamel rises

above the surface of the metal rather

 than fusing onto it.

By underfiring the enamel she

 produces gritty textures and matte finishes

that evoke the urban landscape.

This helps us understand her

fascination with the raw industrial

contrast of life, corrosion and decay.

Each framework she creates is also unusual.

 Shapes are organic, layered and

have varied thickness. Each contributes

additional interest and texture to her designs.

 Here's are examples of her work that emphasize

 rich colors and unusual textures.

It gets even more intriguing when she

removes some of the enamel to reveal

the metal framework beneath.

Geometric shapes are occasionally

 combined with her asymmetrical designs.

We like how she experiments with each

aspect of the metalsmithing process

 as well as the enameling process.

Each structure seems haphazard yet

controlled at the same time.

For those familiar with the smooth velvet surfaces

 of enamels and the painterly aspects of

its application these pieces might seem

unusual and disconcerting.

We are inspired by this artist's willingness

to push the boundaries of what jewelry should

look like and how enamels should feel.

We admire her innovations

and experimentation.

What do you think?

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