Major Techno Token Bracelet by Thomas Mann

I was fortunate enough to be in New York City this past weekend and got to the stunning Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) at Columbus Circle. The newest show there is Elegant Armor with nearly 500 glorious pieces of artist-made jewelry. The show is cleverly curated into sections representing form, function, surface and innovation.

Several pieces gave me new insight into work we present at Artful Home. It was inspiring to see the work of pioneering artist Arline Fisch, who has developed a body of work in which she uses traditional textile techniques of knitting and crocheting and otherwise manipulating strands of precious metals into wondrous shapes. As one of the most respected jewelry makers in the field , Ms Fisch’s work at this show was breathtaking, and it is no wonder she has been named a “Living Treasure of California”, been awarded numerous Fulbright fellowships, and has received international acclaim. Some of the techniques and traditions Ms. Fisch began are evident in pieces at Artful Home by Randi Chervitz, with the crocheted rings and bracelets.

Ms Chervitz’s work highlights the airiness inherent in crocheted forms combined with the structure that the technique allows. The end result is graceful and comfortable, metal yet textile.

Thomas Mann, another favorite artist, had pieces in the show. His assemblage pins displayed narrative jewelry with strong American themes, much like the bracelet shown. Bringing storytelling into the experience of wearing art seems like a natural experience, and the fact that no two pieces are ever identical due to the found objects adds a dimension of preciousness to this whimsical jewelry.

Elegant Armor is on exhibit at MAD through July 5. If you get to New York, by all means take in the show.

16 Pearl Leather Necklace Leather & Pearl Necklace
by Kathleen Lamberti

Met Kathleen Lamberti in person at Philadelphia Buyers Market for American Craft and go to see her awesome 16-pearl necklace in black—so elegant.

Saw a strong new necklace trend: super long, to double or not, like the necklaces by Ken Loeber and Dona Look.

There were birds eerywhere. From Raven Earrings by Dawn Estrin to gently sculpted ones from Whitney Smith (who has more birds coming soon on cupcake plates, too!)

This week in New York there is a show of “Calder Jewelry” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is the first museum exhibition highlight Alexander Calder’s inventive art jewelry. During his lifetime Calder produced approximately 1,800 pieces of brass, silver, and gold body ornaments, often embellished with found objects such as beach glass, ceramic shards, and wood. Calder Jewelry will feature approximately 90 works – bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooches, and tiaras – many of which were made as personal gifts for the artist’s family and friends, including Georgia O’Keefe and Peggy Guggenheim.

This should be a fabulous exhibit. Art jewelry gives both the artist and the wearer the most wonderful outlet for self-expression. Most of us will never have a chance to wear a piece of Calder jewelry, but there are so many artists creating exciting pieces.