Weekend Eye Candy

Brooch by Iris Aglom via Klimt02

I just looove jewelry makers.  Whatever their process, favorite materials or style.  There's always something that sparks my imagination.  My tastes run more towards art/studio jewelry, but I even get ideas from what Maggie Bergman from Australia calls red, white and blue jewelry. Rubies, Diamonds and Sapphires.  In other words traditional gold or platinum wedding ring/Oscar worthy type designs. 

I don't look at other artists work to copy or emulate their style.  I want to absorb their construction, found materials choices, clasps, connections and shapes.  And I try not to do a sketch of an entire piece, just the bit I want to remember.  Then I put it away and let it percolate.  The next time I sit down at my bench those elements have migrated into my own aesthetic and I can feel free to use them - knowing I'm not copying, but just using them as a jumping off place.

"Fruit 2008" by Myung Urso via Klimt02

Navigating around Klimt02 is kind of like finding your way through a renaissance hedge maze. There are beautiful examples at every twist and turn, but be careful you don't get lost in the carefully manicured forest.  Some of the work I really resonate with, some leaves me wondering why bother?  But if I look closely enough, there's always something there that I hadn't imagined before and it makes me think. 

From the Stained Cell Series via Vena Rust

18kt. is much more eyes straight forward.  A long restful walk through a hall of wonders.  In her wonderful blog, Marta Sanchez shows multiple images of each artist's work. I love how some of them have taken one simple element or theme and expanded on it to create an entire line of unique jewelry.

Take a tour this weekend and start a visual journal of work that inspires you, sketch out the bits and pieces.  Then go out into a lovely day and play.  When you come back I bet you have an idea or two just bursting to be realized.

Ring by Senay Akin via 18kt