Wearable Art Blog

Kirsten Muenster Earth Friendly Jewelry

Kirsten Muenster says, "I strive to create wearable landscapes...based on the rich diversity of colors and patterns in the stones I use. I love exploring rock formations, fossils, and nature’s simplicity expressed in its irregular lines and shapes." Muenster, who lives and works in San Francisco, makes handmade jewelry using recycled, vintage, repurposed and 'ethically' sourced materials. The ring (left), from the Sustainable Nut Series, is made from betel nut and recycled sterling silver. The beautiful bracelet (below) is made of Chinese writing stone, turquoise, and recycled sterling silver. I love that Muenster lives her beliefs by using sustainable and earth friendly materials to create beautiful jewelry. Go to Kirsten Muenster for more.

Erda Leather Bags

Erda Leather creates handmade leather and fabric bags that you can custom order. Each bag is sewn by one of four women from start to finish. The thing I like about Erda, besides their beautiful bags, is that they are made in the very middle of Maine. The 'Li'l Kicker' bag (left) has a pocket on the front that is made from a genuine cowboy boot top! The 'Ponderosa' hand laced cowhide bag (below) features beads and semiprecious stones mixed with wood, metal and glass findings. I love the quality and colors used in these bags. See more at Erda Leather.  

Textile Jewelry from Les Bijoux D'Odette

Fanny Grenn takes leather gloves, photos, beads, fabric, and other found objects and transforms them into unique necklaces, bracelets and brooches. Here's what Fanny, who lives in West Brittany, France, says: "Everything begins with the discovery of a photo, an abandoned memory. Working mainly to order, I like creating from ancient photos and from the objects of the past, that you can confide in me." Her work impresses me because of the way she layers colorful, textured fabrics and words onto photos (necklace left and brooch below) to create miniature jeweled stories. See more of how Grenn makes custom creations that move "between the past and the present" at Les Bijoux D'Odette.   

Wendy McAllister Nature Inspired Jewelry

"My jewelry refers to the botanical world with its riotous clash of cobalt, chartreuse, and magenta. The seductive, temporal nature of flowers with their quirky technicolor and architecture clamors for my attention as an artist," says Wendy McAllister. You can see this inspiration in all of McAllister's work. 'Submerge' (left) can be worn as a brooch or pendant and is made with 18k gold, vitreous enamel, and sterling silver. 'Star' brooch (below) features a lenticular lens from a child's ruler in its center. McAllister will be exhibiting from August 28-30, 2009 at the American Craft Exposition in Evanston, Illinois. Visit Wendy McAllister Art Jewelry to see more. 

Katelyn Aslett Felted Fashion

Earlier this year, Katelyn Aslett received rave reviews of her felted fashion when she showed her work in New York City as part of USA Australia Week. Aslett, from Queensland, Australia, specializes in the craft of felting and hand dying (in small batches to avoid waste) and uses natural materials that she believes give a sense of joy and well-being when her pieces are worn. “This is all part of making the world more connected and joyful and less unkind and harsh," she says. Anslett means what she says. Her collections use fabrics that would otherwise end up in landfill. Aren't these just beautiful pieces?