Bali Spaceship

Akim Funk Buddha, the leader of the crew

As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I am off to Bali in a couple of weeks. Two members of our crew are heading there this week, so I set up a blog to document all of our adventures and discoveries in Bali.

Have a look: Bali Spaceship

Pardon me if I post over there a bit more in the coming weeks!

Pro Bono Jeweler

I have been following the blog of metalsmith Gabriel Craig for some time. He has been thinking very deeply about the world of craft and the handmade and how it fits into our contemporary life.

He never mentioned this project on the blog, but I was delighted to read this article in American Craft. Love the idea. I get some very strange questions about how my work is made, and it is true that in our society the connection to hand work has been lost to the point that many cannot even fathom how pieces of metal are alloyed, formed into sheet and wire, manipulated into various shapes, joined by heat, and finished through texture or polishing.

Bravo to you Gabriel!

Art Jewelry, Bubbling up into public consciousness

A very affordable and accessible piece of studio jewelry of blackened silver, 22K and rhodolite

In doing some research lately, I discovered that one of my long-held dreams has been implemented. Yes, this would be the exposure of art jewelry to the realm of the art and design collectors. I used to frequently drop the idea of an art jewelry contingent taking rightful place at the Art Miami art bonanza that takes place every year in December.

A round of congratulations to Ornamentum Gallery for taking the plunge and exhibiting in 2008 at the Design fair that has developed alongside the main art fair.

It wasn't just the high price tags of the art and one-of-a kind furniture that got my attention. It was also photos of attendees at galas, enjoying cutting edge art while wearing the most boring, yet extremely expensive, diamond necklaces and stud earrings. It left me astounded that people that were spending the time and money to seek the most innovative in art and furniture design were oblivious that they could have the same for their jewelry. Oh, and it would actually NOT cost the small fortune that the diamond necklace commands.

Well, I could go on, but this article really lays it all out nicely, including reasons to believe that the tide is turning for those of us in this under-recognized field.

While I make work that is more accessible in content and price than some of the names mentioned in the article, I do believe that what is good for those at the cutting edge will be good for all of us. After all, the collector is likely to start with work that is wearable, probably more traditional in material and construction, and not at the top end of the price range.

So, despite the current gloom, there are reasons to see a bright light at the end of the tunnel for those of us in the studio jewelry, art jewelry, handmade jewelry realm.