Jewelry Art

David asked:


Don’t overlook the interesting and affordable at local shops

When we think of buying jewelry, especially the fashion variety, we usually think of going to a department store or a boutique-type clothing store where we find the latest trendy item probably made outside of this country. But there are several sources for interesting and affordable jewelry in Topeka that are often overlooked.

Art galleries and shops are wonderful places to find one-of-a- kind jewelry pieces that aren’t only made in the United States, but are very likely handmade in Topeka by both well-known or emerging artists.They provide manifold services and all kinds of jewelry such as wholesale costume jewelry,fashion jewelry wholesale,wholesale jewelry,jewelry supply,pearl jewelry,body jewelry etc. Follow galleries and shops can give you what you wanted and also may make you enjoyself.

The Collective Gallery

The Collective Gallery consists of a consortium of artists working in a variety of mediums, including jewelry. Allison Shaefor, daughter of local favorites Bo and Doug Sheafor, of the Albo Glass team, is showing some of the most innovative jewelry. She places small glass beads inside organically shaped blown glass pods, which are hung on chains and leather bands as pendants.

Laura Timmons, of Leawood, weaves fibers and metal wire with gems and beads to make softly textured neck pieces in subtle, elegant colors. Linda Gebert, of Wichita, works in silver, clay, 24-karat gold, gems and cloisonne enamel.

Glass Expressions

Just walking into Glass Expressions is a feast for the eyes, not only for the collection of fine glass home accessories but for the display cases full of jewelry. A consistently popular artist is Eleanore Macnish, a former Topekan now living in Albuquerque, N.M. She makes “happy” jewelry, as she calls it, that incorporates bright, colorful lampwork beads. Her signature bead is a black bead with raised white dots on it. The store can’t get enough of her black and white earrings to add to the collections of her followers.

Margie Weidenbaker and the Glass Expressions staff spend a lot of time educating their customers about the processes used in glass bead- making. You can learn more about cased, sparkling glass beads that have glass pigment under clear glass from internationally known Penrose Designs; dichroic glass, a material that manipulates light to simultaneously produce two very different colors; and Kromastones from the technologies of “thin film” physics and vacuum deposition, refracting colors that shift when viewed from different angles. And if you don’t care about any of these details, the jewelry is just plain gorgeous.

The Phoenix Gallery

The Phoenix Gallery represents so many jewelry artists that it takes some time to really see all of the selections. Brooches and bracelets by Connie Bentjen incorporate vintage silver spoons that take on the forms of angels; wonderful hand-twisted silver earrings – — each one different, so mix and match — by Topekans Stacey and Monique Davis; and refined silver necklaces, rings and bracelets with asymmetrically cut gemstones by Lilly Barrick to wear with contemporary business attire.

And you mustn’t overlook the outstanding vintage American Indian silver and turquoise from the collection of gallery owner Kyle Garcia.

Mulvane Art Gallery

The Mulvane Art Gallery, located on the Washburn University campus, is a hidden treasure for jewelry-lovers. You will find charming amulet-type pendants created with the gardener in mind.

Carletha Kosky combines ribbons, beads, and wrapped paper collages of garden scenes. Laura Smith, of Kansas City, makes large, chunky and whimsical heart brooches using beads, buttons and other found objects.

Frankie Parman, the acquisitions chairman for the museum, says that women are wearing brooches almost everywhere except on a lapel – — on handbags, belts and skirt pockets. The museum’s business is especially successful during the holiday season.

So think outside the box when considering gifts for someone special or adding to your own unique jewelry collection. Topeka has it all.

David H. Urmann asked:


There’s a new fad that has been circulating in town like wild fire, it’s called the Polymerclay Jewelry.

Polymer clay is trendy clay where you can do almost anything. One of the things that can be done using Polymer clays is the jewelry. The polymer clay can be used to make a lovely piece of jewelry. Polymer clays are so easy to use that you can even craft it on your own. It can also be used for all types of art pieced items such as wooden boxes, picture frames, mirrors, beads, pendants, pins, earrings, bracelets, neck pieces, necklaces, desk accessories, small sculptures and even buttons. It basically has a never ending usage that is why many people are so fascinated to it. It is a non-toxic modeling material, man made and can work like a ceramic clay. It’s great for kids and adults use.

But what you may wonder what Polymer clay is? Polymer Clays are not water-based or even a mud-type clay that potters normally use; it is composed of an oil based solid and liquid polymer. It doesn’t dry or melt even if exposed to a pro long heat like fire and that’s what makes it so popular. It is very much different from the molding clays (clays that usually used by children and animators) and clays that are used from sculpting. Those clays are air dried which are water-based and can easily dry.

You can purchase polymer clays from art or craft stores. Most common brand names of polymers are Primo, Fimo (Classic and Soft), Sculpey and Kato. They come in various types and colors such as metallic’s & pearls which has a reflective properties that can be used for special effects; translucent clays which is often used for stones, woods and ivory; flesh colors that can be used for dolls and figurines; and flexible clays that can be used for molding.

Polymer Clays can be used at almost anything. You can use it for sculpting figures, faces, flowers, and any other things that can be molded. You can also use it to cover various items with sheets of patterned and decorative clays and can even be used in making canes. It can also be used in impressing it into rubber stamps or texture sheets and other items around your house. Some artists used it as accessories to their jewelries. They even have their own websites with a very comprehensive lessons and tips on how to do the works. The reason why they like to use Polymer Clays is that it is shaped from PVC (a polymer of vinyl acetate) plastics and a certain type plasticizer substance, which keeps the clay moldable.

This kind of clay is also what is usually recommended to be used especially for those people who create their jewels at home. Various kinds of gears are used to carve and make jewels with polymer clay. Most of the crafters used pasta roller mechanism to roll out the clay and to even it out to their preferred thickness. Afterwards, the clay is created into what the jeweler intends it to use. It can now be placed to their chosen designs with a variety of jewelry. At the present time, all kinds of jewelry can be used with polymer clay. Jewelry designers are so fascinated with it that they even tend to use it on almost anything even on earrings. Indeed polymer clays are simple to use and can even be placed to just about anything and everything.

EllisFan asked:


Just looking for a good resource to learn about Art Fairs in my area (Kansas City/St. Louis), and how to go about getting in to showcase jewelry at such a fair.

What are the good fairs? (The ones with high quality stuff, not junk).

fightswithfences asked:


I have this theory right now that what your dominant hand is might be related to where you place most of your jewelry, piercings, tattoos, etc.

I’m mostly just basing this theory on myself, though. I’m right-handed, and just realized a few days ago that I have gotten a cartiledge piercing in my right ear, a tattoo on my right foot, and when I wear a bracelet, I wear it on my right wrist. Even if I have a hairtie I need on my wrist, it always goes on my right wrist.

All I have on my left side is three piercings in my left earlobe, which is matched on the right side.

Does anyone else have this pattern? I think it’d be really interesting if where you preferred your body art was somehow related to your dominant hand/side. Thanks!

sofaexpo asked:

Represented at SOFA NEW YORK 2008 by Sienna Gallery

Ketut Aryadana asked:


The Art of Organic Jewelry

If gold and silver jewelry is too expensive, then organic jewelry can provide the same decoration for a much cheaper price. Organic jewelry started from the Native Americans by using connecting simple seashells together. Today, organic jewelry has evolved into a major role in the fashion industry. The most popular type of organic jewelry today would be in the form of pearls.

Where do pearls come from? Pearls come from an irritation in an oyster’s shell. The irritation is then covered with calcium carbonate which after many years turns into a pearl. Pearls were first used for jewelry by the Native Americans that first settled the land. Thousands of years later, they are now considered a must-have fashion accessory.

Pearls are used in many forms of jewelry including Necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

Pearl necklaces are very popular, and they come in a variety of forms such as Bib, Choker, Matinee, Opera, Princess, and Rope.

Pearl bracelets also work very well as fabulous fashion accessories. The classic single strand of different pearls can be used to match any outfit.

You can never go wrong with a pearl ring. A gorgeous pearl ring set with gold or sterling silver will made any woman happy.

If pearls are not your thing, there are many other forms of organic jewelry such as bamboo and hardwood. Bamboo is not considered a type of wood, but is instead a type of grass. There are many types of bamboo that are yellow, tan, green, brown, and even purple providing a great fashion accessory. The most common use of bamboo for organic jewelry is earrings. Although they are relatively easy to take care for, the wearer has to re oil the earring periodically for easy insertion. If you like designs, bamboos can have great designs burnt in them. The best part is that bamboo earrings only cost around fifteen dollars.

A more expensive alternative to bamboo is actual hardwood. Wood plugs are usually hand crafted and each piece is unique. Plugs work best on dry areas of the body like ears and might cause an allergic reaction. Like bamboo, hardwood jewelry has to be re oiled from time to time. Common oils used are olive oil, peanut oil, and jojoba oil. There are six major types of wood used for jewelry: Chakte Kok, Chechon, Ebony, Granadillo, Katalox and Maple each of these a different color.

ChakteKok is a glowing reddish yellow and is lightweight. Chechen is brown and gives a natural look. Ebony is black and is the heaviest. Grandillo is dark brown. Katalox is very dark brown and is almost black. Katalox is the rarest type and is hard to obtain. Maple is light brown and is almost yellow.

If you’re interested in wood plugs, they come in many different shapes: Saddle shaped, cylinder shaped, flared, nail shaped, taper shaped, and spike shaped. When ordering wood plugs, you must specify in diameter and length.

These are just a few examples of modern organic jewelry. There are many other types of organic jewelry including bones, horns, stone, and amber. While each type of organic jewelry is different, they all serve as a great alternative to expensive silver and gold jewelry.

Mithun Rao asked:


industry is one of the India’s top export earner, amounting to more than 16 billion US dollars, in the fiscal year 2006-07. This coupled with the zero import duty on diamonds entering into India has further enhanced the country to be claimant as a global diamond jewelry trading hub. Importance of Jewelry designers and gemmologists in the Gem and Jewellery field today is very immense. Even the sky rocketing gold prices have not dimmed the hopes of the buyers from buying jewelry. This boom has opened up many more oppurtunities for the jewelry professionals.

Many times, I have come across people asking questions like, “Is there any career opportunity as a “jewelry designer”. My answer to this would be a firm “YES!” And I don’t feel there would be any other field where the career opportunities would be so exciting and enticing.

Jewelry designers have the choice of working with jewelry stores or big export corporate houses. Multinationals are also on the look out for young talented designers all the time, willing to pay any price for the creativity and art. After getting little experience and knowledge jewelry designers who believe in themselves and want to grow further may also go in to start their own jewelry business. In this scenario, however, investment and contacts play a key role to achieve success. If not business, designers can also sell their designs for a fee and not get bounded by any job or business. In other words, the opportunities are unlimited.

Dos and Don’ts

1) Whenever a student joins a jewelry design school, the first thing to hit his/her mind is this – “Is art important in learning jewelry designing?” to attract more business for their schools you will definitely get the answer from the jewelry schools that,”no prior art backing is required and any one can take the admissions”.

But let me assure you one thing, if you don’t have the talent or that creative inclination in you then you are going to have a very tough time to cope up with classes and I am not exaggerating here. To become a successful designer you need to have that creativity, art and sense of design. Precision and attention to details are also very important. Also the labour and time involved in very high. If you are determined and willing to put in that extra effort then there is no looking back.

2) Most importantly, let’s address the basic issue – To learn designing first or learn jewelry manufacturing first? If you say designing, then my friends I am afraid you are terribly mistaken! Because it’s like learning to run before learning to walk. In order to design jewelry, you need to know a million things about the material you would be working on, about the feel of the metal, about its joints, hinges, polish and lots more.All these things are very important to know before you learn designing. Jewelry designing, unlike painting, requires some basics and guidelines to be followed, which can be learnt best only with practical knowledge and not just theory.

3) When you are choosing a jewelry designing school, check out the faculty before joining it. Don’t just join any institute. Learn your basics, Do your homework and then take the interview of the faculty rather than them choosing you. You are paying money and should get back every penny’s worth you are putting in. I can tell from my personal experience that most designing schools do not even teach the basics properly.

4) Always keep updated with the trends in the fashion industry. After all, we survive on what is going on in the current latest fashion industry and that’s where our whole business lies. Designers should always know what the current trend is, what’s in, what’s not and what’s cool, what’s hot! Visit trade shows, exhibitions, fairs and whatever possible. Check out the jewelry of celebrities. Read books, surf the net. Do whatever possible to stay updated on latest news, trends and fashions. Trade shows give you lots of experience and confidence than one can imagine.

Finally the money, which everyone’s interested in. As a trainee one can expect a starting pay of Rs. 4000 – Rs. 5000 per month in small showrooms and up to Rs.10, 000 in big multinational organizations. Talent, nevertheless, is imperative to demand or deserve these. One can always improve their skill, art and talent with their hardwork and dedication. After some years the pay scale can jump easily up to Rs. 25,000 per month.

Remember along with jewelry designing if you also know gemology, diamond grading or jewelry manufacturing then double the above estimates. Designing degree along with gemologist or certified gemologist degree can work wonders to your career. So it’s very important to know the whole jewelry industry on the whole rather than just knowing it in bits and pieces.

Mexico-store.com asked:


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Deepak Negi asked:


Are you looking for Indian jewelry and confused?

I would like to recommend you to get it from Jaipur. One strong reason behind this is that Indian jewelry directly relates to the tradition of India. And our Indian history proves that once Rajasthan used to be the center for different cultures like Mughals, British, Muslims and

many others….

They all left their essence in the life style of Rajasthani people and being the capital Jaipur was the most affected place. That’s why you

can get a great combination of these cultures in Jaipur jewelry whether it is silver, gold, diamond or any other jewelry with natural stones and precious & semi-precious gemstones.

Silver – This is the most fascinating jewelry item of Jaipur. Earlier in Jaipur this item used to be made in traditional style only but now-a-days it offers a variety of designs by amalgamating traditional and contemporary styles at highly competitive prices imitation.

This kind of designer jewelry is very popular and appreciated by the tourists from all over the world. Sterling silver that contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals is preferred the most for making silver jewelry.

Gems stones – When it comes to color gemstones, precious & semi-precious stones and handcrafted silver jewelry all the International buyers prefer Jaipur. Jaipur has emerged as one of the leading centers in the colored stones segment of the gems and jewelry sector.

It also happens to be one of the world’s largest centers for gemstone cutting and polishing. Around 80-85 percent of the emeralds worldwide

are cut in Jaipur. The industry here is over 300 years old. That’s why gems stones of Jaipur are famous all over the world for their reality

and original sources.

Gold – Indians have a predilection for the gold and because of this India is the largest consumer of gold jewelry and ornaments in the world and Jaipur plays a big role amongst the providers. Jewelers from there offer some of the best traditional and modern designs in gold jewelry made with 14k, 18k and 22k gold.

Meenakari – This is a different kind of art in jewelry making and was introduced to Jaipur by the Mughals. It was brought to Jaipur by Raja

Man Singh. Meenakari is the art of doing enameling to the jewelry.

Earlier it used to be done in gold only but now it is done in silver and other metals also. This enameling is done by applying fusion of different

mineral substances over the metal surface.

Kundankari – This is the art of setting gems and stones in gold and silver. This was also been inspired by Mughals. One of the oldest forms

of jewelry made and worn in India is the 24 carat pure gold Kundan jewelry. Mostly kundan work is combined with enameling meenakari. In this way jewelry that comes out has two equally beautifully surfaces meenakari at the back surface and kundankari in the front surface.

Diamond – Whether it is contemporary diamond or Indian costume jewelry, Jaipur is the hub for all kind of jewelry. People are very much attracted towards Jaipur diamond and color stone.

As the real diamond is very much expensive, diamond replica is becoming the alternate of it. This is exactly the same as real diamond jewelry, but the small difference is that it is a replica. Because of this diamond jewelry that earlier used to be worn by exclusive people only, now can

be bought by an ordinary man or woman. Jaipur diamond is also used for some astrological reasons.

Jaipur jewelry designs follow not only its traditional style but also get you the designs that are hot right now in the international market. So if someone wants any type of jewelry on wholesale prices wholesalers from Jaipur can provide it all over the world.

theartisttwin asked:


What are some interesting things to procure? We live in an area with wealthy shore homes …. the gallery is already featuring unique jewelry, clay art, glass art, steel sculptures, oil paintings, glass mosaic work etc. Is there anything else you can think of that would be highly unique?