New shapes, new glazes...

Those of you who are very familiar with my work know that I have many styles. I love vintage inspired pieces, reproductions of designs that were created over 100 years ago... that kind of thing really makes me blissful and long, in a big way, for time travel. But I also love modern. Modernist to be exact. When I look to jewelry makers who inspire me, who make me want to be a better maker myself, I look to the modernist jewelry makers of the last mid-century. There are too many to name here but you would be doing yourself a huge favor by picking up a few copies of Marbeth Schon's books Modernist Jewelry 1930-1960 and Form and Function: American Modernist Jewelry 1940-1970. These books will make your brain explode. In a good way.

Lately I have been playing around with simple shapes and marveling at how bold these shapes can look just because they are simple. Does that make any sense? Sometimes simple is risky. I mean, not many of us would walk around completely naked, right? It would be the simple thing to do but most of us would feel better layering on the clothes, hiding the less-than-attractive bits and maybe glitzing up our look with a little bling (and thank god we do this... can you imagine?). So when designing simple jewelry there is much to be considered. Are your foundation pieces in good enough shape to get naked for all the world to see?

OK, so this is getting a little silly. I'm tired and need to sleep but first I wanted to share with you my simple shapes and new glazes. I've been testing a bunch of new glazes and these are two that have passed the test thus far. They aren't perfect yet. I keep tweaking them and so far they haven't come out the same twice. But I'll keep at it and figure out just what they want.

Antique Amber is what I am calling this one. It's my idea of the perfect yellow. Golden but not too GOLD. Rustic and organic. It makes the simple shapes look not so simple.

This pair is in the same off-kilter rectangle shape as the amber pair, just a little bigger. This glaze is amazing. It has a slightly rough texture, or tooth. The color is like patinated metal with rusty bits peeking through. It's wonderful.

I call this pair CHOMP Hoops. Because they look like someone took a chomp out of the top of them. See? Not just simple shapes, but simple(minded) names as well. :)

These little treasures can be found in the shop.