Big Balls

I love these big ball bracelets. Find them at Maryam Nassir Zadeh's shop in NYC

http://www.maryamnassirzadeh.com/MV.html

Reinventing Ancient Wonders

Inspired by the Ancient Egyptian pyramids, Carly Margolis of All for the Mountain hand-carves wax into her desired shape and then cast's them in bronze, silver or gold. The result are these great dangling pieces of geometric wonders. Order your very own on line.


http://www.allforthemountain.com/

Drooling over Dooley

Yeah, I'm not a a girl, but I can still drool over Gemma Redux jewelry...can't I?! I've been interested in designer Rachel Dooley's work for quite sometime now. I guess you can tell by now, I love all things organic free-form. This is one of the reasons why I like Dooley's pieces so much, as well as her use of natural and vintage materials. Rachel is a self taught designer, who developed her creative approach to jewelry making while studying for the bar exam in New York. Her background in mechanical engineering, helps to bring each one of a kind piece to life. Check out her website for her current spring collection. Hmm...I'm looking through her bracelet designs now, and I'm thinking - maybe...just maybe, I can sport one of her bracelets...right?! I mean come on! They look kind of unisex.

http://www.gemmaredux.com/

From The Village to Vogue

Art Smith's orginal sign that was displayed
on his storefront in Greenwich village on Cornelia St.
in the mid 1900's





"Patina" Necklace inspired by Calder's mobiles










Recently, I visited the Brooklyn Art Museum for the first time, and was impressed by the enormity of the structure, but the exhibit that the Museum is currently housing through July 19th of Art Smith's jewelry was very inspirational. The exhibit honors the gift of twenty-one pieces of silver and gold jewelry created by the Brooklyn-reared modernist jeweler, primarily from Charles Russel, Smith's companion and heir.

The amazing biomorphic, surrealistic, and primitive inspired gems are very light weight and wearable. The jewelry dates from the late 1940's to the 1970's and includes his most famous pieces, such as a "Patina" necklace inspired by the mobiles of Alexander Calder; a "Lava" bracelet, or cuff, that extends over the entire lower arm in undulating and overlapping forms; and a massive ring with three semi-precious stones that stretches over three fingers.

I think I was instantly drawn to the jewelry because they reminded me of Alexander Calder's art, that organicness that you see in Calder's work you also see in Smith's as well.. Learning that Smith, along with other jewelers of his time were actually inspired by Calder and his kinetic, abstract designs made me even more intrigued with all the beautiful gold and silver creatures lurking behind the display cases.

Like Calder, they used high quality materials such as gold, platinum, and precious stones. "Their jewelry was an ornamental interpretation of contemporary art that integrated an awareness of the human form and the notion of wearbility."

If you are in the New York area, I highly recommend you check this exhibit out before it is pulled on July 19th.

http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/

Previous post about Alexander Calder
http://concretecommentary.blogspot.com/2009/01/calderthe-ring-master.html

Photos: Jesse, C.C.

Crangi, The NEW Man About Town.

Philip Crangi, currently one of my favorite New York jewelry designers striked a few poses for Magnus Unnar's latest photoshoot for the new Man About Town Magazine. Wearing his own jewelry of course, he is also wearing Dior Homme, Phillip Lim, and his trademark glasses.

Click here for a previous post on Philip Crangi
http://concretecommentary.blogspot.com/2009/02/man-behind-forge.html

http://www.philipcrangi.com/

MIRO-CLE METAL WORKER!

Cuffs/bracelets


Cuffs/bracelets


miniature mirrors


Darcy's creative version of wallpaper


Darcy Miro

Walking by Darcy Miro's shop on Bedford Street, one can't help but to be captivated by the display of organically shaped metal works of art behind the storefront glass. As the gracefully twisted and textured metals softly reflect the sunlight, they initially leave you pondering over what they actually are; sculptures?... Jewelry?...hmm. OK, OK. So I walked in the store to get the 411. They are everything one expects; Jewelry, sculptures, fine art, and home decor!

Darcy Miro Metal Shop is home to amazing pieces of 18-karat gold and sterling silver rings, cuffs, bracelets, necklaces, and home decor such as mirrors, tiles, and wall paper (wall metal decor). Each hand made sculpture is the work of Darcy Miro. Her manipulation of molded metals is completely brilliant and meticulous. Each one of a kind creation embodies the perfect balance of texture and smoothness, allowing a sense of movement, creating a kind of living quality. Alright, I can write a book on this stuff, but I won't, so you just have to check out the website or visit her shop. Organic, fashionable, and contemporary, fused by miracle artistry. Darcy Miro is just that...A Miracle Worker!

Darcy Miro Metal Shop
60 Bedford St.
New York, NY 10014

http://darcymiro.com/

Photos: Jesse, C.C.

The Man Behind the Forge

Philip Crangi, a New York based jewelry designer is putting the fire to the metal with his creations that are inspired from Greco-Roman artifacts, Baroque ironwork, and Japanese armor. You can find the trained goldsmith's collection at Barneys amongst boutiques through out the country and overseas, he has also collaborated with Vera Wang. The fusion of Vera's elegant style and Philip's hard and edgy designs produced genius pieces. Crangi often time begins his creations by doodling on the subway, then goes back to his work room to create his vision. Currently, he's been inspired by African and Art Deco, two of my favorite styles! His jewelry are for both men and women.

www.philipcrangi.com
www.shopgilesandbrother.com