Design Elements for new Jewelry

Design elements for new Jewelry

I don't even wear jewelry that much! But I love it, I love making it, I love the beads, colors, and designs! I love gemstones especially, and I'm coming closer to creating with high quality materials. I recently bought from my friend Lea (LAJewelryDesigns) some nice elements and I'm excited to create with them.

 

I have some ideas of what I want to do, but I thought I'd look for some inspiration in new places: London Fashion Week and New York Fashion week! When I create I am inspired by the elements and put them together from my heart. I often feel my own style is a little "odd" for the mainstream, but I'm beginning to see it as art. But I don't want to be a famous artist, because (with the exception of Picasso) artists aren't appreciated until after they're gone! I'd like to sell my art, not wear it or store it, so I thought I'd look at what is being sold in the fashion world.

Arik Levy

Alice Cicolini is "charming" for Autumn/Winter 2014. Atellier Swarovski's four designers have familiar pieces some of which remind me of other jewelery artist friends. Geometric, organic, asymmetry is still in fashion. Christopher Kane's necklace reminds me of the one I made a couple months ago (I wasn't thrilled with it so I'm rethinking the design...maybe I was already on to something! pictures for you when it's done.)


Christopher Kane

Fredrikson Stallard reminds me of my friend Lisa Liddy's beautiful, hand made, etched and colored disks.

Fredrikson Stallard

Lisa Liddy and Metal Me This

Zaldy's Cleo Bracelet sure gives me some great ideas (twist on a cellini and right angle weave?)!



Zaldy

OH EM GEE...Christina Ortiz...freakin' amaaaaazing! Can you believe the top left piece is a ring?!

 

Fernando Jorge is so creative and talented with stones; his organic designs seem to be inside out.

There are so many places from which to gain inspiration. On my Pinterest I collect colors, other lampworkers and jewelry, DIY's, and cultural inspirations. I'm 3/4 done with the piece I'm working on now, and I can't wait to show you! Until then, I would love to see your inspirations and creations! Share them with us on my Facebook page here!

London Fashion Week #LFW

London Fashion Week #LFW

 I really do love fashion, and I long to be a more fashionably dressed person….however….

I’m not into fashion per-se, I’m into art, the way something looks, the way it makes me feel emotionally. From show highlights as shown by the British Fashion Council, I spied my favorites:

Day 1: Bora Aksu’s silhouette is unique but what I love is how “girly” they are, and love love love the fabric textures

 

Love the crazy cats eye glasses by Linda Farrow Projects, but I probably wouldn’t wear most of them. I’d love an everyday indoor pair.

 

Of Jasper Conran, the long flowey look is so elegant, the prints exotic, and I just love this cute dress. It’s feminine, long with the illusion of short will hide the flaws in the saggy knees, and the comfy, girly stripes in the upper.

       

 

Day 2:  John Rocha’s silhouette was repetitious, and reminded me of The Flying Nun, but I love the poppy field sundress. Julien MacDonald is so glamorous and art deco! Not sequins but mosaics! Mark Fast’s style is so cool and rock and roll, and I love the texture of this skirt. Orla Kiely is worth taking a look at; very Alice in Wonderland-ish.

       

  

 

 Day 3: L’Wren Scott’s show was fun, fantasy, and functional fashion! Everything by Unique was wearable, feminine, elegant, and silky. Mary Katrantzou is my fave above all days so far. Art, art, art! Daring designs, silhouette, and pretty prints. Temperley London and pink!!! Vivienne Westwood Red Label construction details! MathhewWilliamson combines orange, pink, and red which reminds me of salwar kameez and India.

 

  

Day 4: Erdem had a pretty black lace over shirt gown. Peter Pilotto has fun prints and shapes. Giles' pieces are cool-elegant, and I loved this gorgeous, classy gown in buttery fawn. 
 

 

 Day 5: Nothing terribly exciting. I had to check out the shoes and jewelry of course!  There are so many jewelers listed in the display showrooms for the autumn/winter show, I'll save that for another post. I'll be showing you similar pieces that friends and I have already made; seems we're an avant-garde bunch!

 Aside from LFW have you seen Peeter Pilotto for Target? I love the commercial, and I’m sooooo intrigued with the model with no eyes!

 

Exorcising the Demons: The Act of Killing

The Act of Killing

This is what an exorcism really looks like. Adults who try to teach children that they should think about consequences and consider they might have regret, use their words as examples of what it feels like. This documentary shows, really shows, what regret looks like. The Act of Killing (Joshua Oppenheimer, 2014) is a documentary that follows former Indonesian death squad leaders as they reenact their war crimes, the murders they committed. They reenact precisely how they captured, interrogated, and garroted their victims, the “communists”. This is THE most disturbing film I think I have ever seen; this is the BEST teaching tool I’ve ever seen for youth in terms of attitude and regret.

 

In this film we have the self-proclaimed “gangsters”, proud of being such and sanctioned by a huge para-military faction established by the coup rulers and still in existence today, the Pancasila Youth. The gangsters identify themselves as heroes, characterized and supported by the cinematic images of American films of their youth. They are given an opportunity to tell their story through any medium they wish and they choose to make a film. They expect to become famous; they already are famous and revered in their home land. This film shows the thought processes of mass murderers in reflection, from arrogance and self-aggrandizement to (for some but not all) pensive and remorseful…almost.

 

The synopsis on the film's web site could not sum it up better, however the potential for this film in middle and high school classes is unspoken and evident to me. This film has purpose. At a developmental stage where children appropriately depend on their peers, they do not have the experience of regret to teach each other and are destined to have regrets, some potentially deafening, unless they “get it”. This film can help students “get” the impact of decision making to the “nth” degree, and demonstrates the process of self-justification, and the consequences both globally and personally of harming others in both minor and life-determining ways. Fortunately, for those who “get it”, this film also demonstrates that one can exorcise their demons and survive. Whether the students are children or adults, this last benefit is the most crucial, and necessary lesson of this film.

Photo: Favim.com

 Because we are “merely” human beings, we go through life with menial and self-centered purpose. This film has the potential to elevate our thinking, and our behavior, outside our selves. This film shows the cultural values of people, the influences that create those values, and so important to the "western" citizens, the consequences of those values and the attainment of the materials that represent the values; the things we hold to represent our status….the symbols that say “I made it!” This film is about the consequences of greed; it is the justification for being inhuman and inhumane.



Photo: TheGermansMakeGoodStuff Quote: George Orwell, Animal Farm

This is THE most disturbing film I can remember ever seeing (other than The Exorcist.) This is the most important film I’ve seen. This film is not as romantic as our idea of an exorcism might actually look like, but it is the only real exorcism I’ve seen portrayed. You must watch through to “get it”, but like any good film the cliff hanger at the end leaves you wanting more, and in this case wondering “Did he really get it?”, and hoping he does, and hoping I will get it too, when I exercise my own demons.

Window Shopping

I love window shopping. I love it because I can spend as much virtual money as I want and satisfy my desire for things where otherwise money is an object.

 

Photo: FabLiz

Yesterday I spent almost $2,000 at Pyramid Collection. I love their styles; they are elegant, unique, fun, and different from most any style. I also like window shopping because the delayed gratification lets me be really sure that I want something before I buy it. Usually I know because I keep thinking about it for a long time; some of the items I picked yesterday, I also picked a year ago.

    

 I also love Polyvore! It lets me take my window shopping a step further. Today I made “outfits” and shopped for more acceccories. Polyvore has a “clipper” that goes on your browser’s bookmark bar; the clipper lets me load my “purchases” into a collage.

It's all about the bell bottoms baby! Black, velvet, big bells, and loooooong! 35" inseam (for the heels I could have them a little longer.) I love these two tops to go with them. The fabric and shape on both are perfect for my figure and taste and make a great opportunity for some really awesome shoes! I love the pop of red on the bowling shoes, and the cowboyboots are worn and comfy looking. I don't like a peeptoe boot, but these seem to have been made for this sexy, shoulder cut-out, bell and fringed sleeved top (MUST have!) Which would you like? Where would you wear it?

Bell Bottoms, Belle! by monaraebeads featuring flat shoes

The main focus is comfort and class. The skirt is TDF! Contrasting shoes I can actually wear all day for teaching, bar tending, or fun; simple, sleek, and color neutral shoes do not have to be understated or boring. Most of these pairs are unique in their own right but do not overpower. Not sure if the lacey booties are too much, r if the casual flats are too flat, and I can't help but LOVE the colorful Massoni or the leopard! What would you choose?

Fun Everyday Class by monaraebeads featuring round toe ankle boots