Weekend Eye Candy -Vina Rust Edition

1. Pinus pinaster (exploded view): Stained Cell Series, 2008, 2. Equisetum Pendant (Commission) - detail 2, 3. Neckpiece # 2: Stained Cell Series, 2008, 4. Cysts and Symmetries: Earrings #3, 5. Ring #1: Stained Cell Series, 2005, 6. Marram study: Stained Cell Series, 2005 , 7. Pin #1: Stamen Series, 2005, 8. Stamen (inverted), 2004, 9. Eastern Cottonwood Defense 2008 (detail), 10. Sprout (detail), 2004, 11. Cysts and Symmetries Ring #3 (Commission), 12. Neckpiece #2: Stamen Series, 2004, 13. Ring #3: Stamen series, 2004 , 14. Leaf Section Bracelet, 2005, 15. Bracelet # 2: Stained Cell Series, 2006, 16. Earrings #8, Stamen Series, 2005   Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Vina Rust's work is the perfect example of taking a single element and a single theme and exploring the heck out them to create a signature style.

Using only commercial tubing (sometimes called chenier), a bit of sheet silver to act as a skin and her fascination with cellular structures and botanical illustrations, Vina has developed a line of jewelry that is truly unlike any thing I've ever seen before.

She groups individual pieces in series' called "Stained Cell", "Cysts & Symmetries" and "Stamen", but to me they're so harmonious as to be conceived with a single thought. Microscopic slices of organic origin that are both contemporary and comfortably familiar.

I love her work. And the very next time I'm in San Francisco I'll be sure to drop by the Velvet Da Vinci Gallery to see some of it in person.

Please remember to visit Michelle, Paige and Christine's blogs to see their lovely collections!