Wearable Art Blog

Gris Bleu Polymer Clay Jewelry

Check out this wonderful polymer clay jewelry by Celine Charuau from France. I discovered her because she links to the Wearable Art blog on her blog roll. I can't tell you much about her except that she's been working with polymer clay since June 2007 (per the Daily Art Muse). Charuau does some pretty amazing work combining wire designs with polymer clay. She makes all kinds of pieces, but I like her pendants the best and have a few for you here.

 
'Flower Inside Metal' pendant. Mokume Gane for the petals with metal wire.

What I like about the pendant (above) is the 'off-center' flower middle and the multicolored petals of different shapes and sizes made in a Japanese technique known as "mokume gane." Mokume Gane is a jewelry-making method where you apply different surface treatments to metals to make them look like wood grain patterns -- Charuau applies this method to polymer clay and comes up with a gorgeous collage of colors. 
 

'Golden Moon' pendant made from polymer clay, wire and pearls

Look at all the small cut out circles making up this pendant that are strung with wire inside, then left cut out or filled with polymer clay. Pretty fabulous!

 

 
'Heart' pendant made from polymer clay and wire  

Don't you just love how the wire is attached to the pendant (above) and outlines the outside of the heart? How about that curvey loop at the end for a nice finishing touch? The color combinations are pretty electric!

Charuau does some dazzling things with polymer clay. You can see more of her work at Gris Bleu or you can shop for her pieces at DaWanda.

 

  

  
   
  

The Wearable Art of Delight Worthyn

Delight Worthyn is a self taught artist, seamstress and milliner who loves to make hats using recycled fabric that is often left over from vintage dresses she finds at thrift stores. Since spring is upon us, I thought I would show you some of Worthyn's stylish hats that you might enjoy now that the weather is warmer.

 
"African Explorer Garden Hat" (above) is made from unbleached linen and trimmed in red clay ribbon. Flower adornment is vintage millinery trimming.

I asked Worthyn about how she got started. She told me, "I was never one of those painters who walked around in paint splattered clothing believing that everyone should be an artist. I didn't really set out to make wearable art. I just wanted to wear what I wanted and couldn't find. I fell in love with the Edwardian era while working in an amazing vintage clothing store and realized the hats I adored are sewn fabric hats."

Worthyn's Edwardian hats (the first two featured here) are my favorites. Both are from her newly released spring collection. But, all her hats exude great charm and personality.

 
"Daisy Chain Tall Regency Hat" (above) is made with linen damask from a thrift store. Trim and flowers are cut from Victorian lace, with silk embroidery thread stitching. 

Worthyn says this about wearable art: "I try to make sure that I don't lose sight of the 'wearable' in wearable art. I want the hats to be functional pieces that can be left out as art because they are beautiful." Spoken by a true artist. Her attitude echoes my own love of wearable art because it is both art and functional at the same time.

Not only does Worthyn make every day hats, but she makes lovely wedding hats and accessories, too.

 
'"Eliza Weds Henry Bridal Hat" (above) is made from a textured silk fabric and lined in satin. The flowers are all silk and handmade. 

 

 
Royal Wedding Headband (above) is made of handpainted silk chiffon and blue organdy with pinpricks of silver. The center is a vintage filigree jewelry finding.

These wedding accessories are so stylish they could be worn on on any special occasion.

I love the creativity, colorful materials and embellishments that Worthyn applies to all her pieces. You can see more of her work at Smashing Darling and Etsy.

 

Alternative Wedding Show at Kath Libbert Jewelry Gallery

Pieces by Kate Smith, Tanja Ufer, and Poppy Dandiya are on display at the annual Alternative Wedding Show at the Kath Libbert Jewelry Gallery in Yorkshire, UK through May 3, 2010. This show is timely, as it's the season for all things related to weddings. What makes this show so nice is that the jewelry on display is not traditional or typical, plus, the artists are from all over the world. Here are a few of their pieces that I liked.

 

'Precious' Ring in 18ct gold with diamonds

Kate Smith's ring (above) is from her 'Patterned' collection where she features thousands of tiny holes in silver and gold to create the effect of decay. How cool is this? It looks lunar.

'Satellite’ ring in silver and fine gold set with semi-precious stones.

 

German-born artist Tanja Ufer combines white silver with rich colored gold and rough stones to create a stunning look (above).

 

 

Earrings in yellow and white gold with South Sea pearls and diamonds.
 

Poppy Dandiya,PPPoPoPoppy Dandiya, who created the rings (above), grew up in Rajasthan, India. He works with gemstones of all colors, including rough, abstract-cut diamonds. He established the first jewelry making school in India in 1986. These earrings are incredibly elegant. I love the way he twists the gold and wraps it beneath the diamonds.

This is just a sampling of the pieces at the show. Are you thinking of getting a new ring to mark a big anniversary or special occassion? Now's the time. Go to Kath Libbert Jewelry Gallery to see more.

 

'Infinite Vinyl' Retro Album Cover Bags

 
Grace Jones, "Inside Story," from 1986

Patrick Payne is a native New Yorker and is presently residing in the 'Arts District' of Mt. Rainier, MD. He's been creating fashion and accessories since 1995. Today, he's making some amazing bags from recycled album covers combined with leather and exotic skins, giving these vintage covers a second life.

 

Rolling Stones, "Tatoo You," from 1981

Payne said this about the inspiration behind these bags: "About two years ago, while attending an event with artists and vendors, I came across a young lady making novelty bags from laminated album covers. The bags were frail and poorly designed. At that moment, I had an epiphany and immediately went home to research 'album cover bags'. They were all similar with an assembly line look. So, I decided that I would make each piece be one-of-a-kind."

 Bob Marley, "Chances Are," from 1981 (unisex bag)
  
Payne then went at his newfound interest with gusto. "I started learning a lot about the musical artists, including their most memorable albums. I looked everywhere for albums. Every rare find became exciting."

I asked Payne how he gets the album covers onto the leather. He said, "The original album covers are heat-sealed in an industrial strength laminate, then riveted right on the the custom leather bag."

 
  
Chaka Kahn, "Chaka Clutch" 
  

I can't get over how good these photos look! Having lived through the 'retro' era of these covers, I love seeing them again! They make me feel nostalgic. Imagine the attention you'll get if you wear one of these cool bags down the street. Heads will turn. Friends will want one, too! You can see more at Payne's Etsy shop, Infinite Vinyl.

Forest Inspired Jewelry by Terhi Tolvanen

Amsterdam-based and Finnish-born jewelry designer Terhi Tolvanen's jewelry made from wood is inspired by her love of the beauty in nature. She combines branches of birch, hazel, rosemary, and heather with gemstones such as smoky quartz and aquamarine.

 
Necklace in silk, paint, wood, agate and silver

This amazing necklace (above) combines different textures and materials in handsome tones that recall tree trunks and tree bark. Tolvanen calls the mosses, fungi and toadstools that flourish on or near fallen trees the ‘jewelry’ of the forest. Her brooch (below) captures this sentiment perfectly. 

 

 
Brooch in silver, porcelain, wood, paint

Tolvanen pays homage to the natural beauty that is so easily overlooked and reminds us to pay attention and value even the most basic things that nature has to offer. I love how this brooch (below) looks like the branches of a tree surrounded by little stones.

 

 
Brooch in labradorite, wood, silver

Even though these pieces look like they were picked up from the floor of the forest, they exude a sophisticated elegance. Tolvanen's work is on display at the Viceversa Contemporary Jewelry Gallery in Lausanne, Switzerland through March 17, 2010. Or, you can see more at Terhi Tolvanen or Kilmt02.