JCK TUCSON
UNCOMMONGOODS DESIGN CHALLENGE JW MARRIOTT STARR PASS RESORT & SPA | TUCSON, AZ T H U R S D AY, F E B R U A RY 4 , 2 0 1 6
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MEET THE BRANDS ALEXIS BARBEAU DESIGNS AYESHA MAYADAS BELLE BROOKE DESIGNS DANA BRONFMAN EARTH BELOW SKY CREATIONS KURTULAN DESIGNS LILLY BARRACK LTD. MAJESTIC ART JEWELRY METAL STUDIO MICHAEL JENSEN DESIGNS NEETA GUPTA SPENCER FINE JEWELRY TERRY SNIDER JEWELRY
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ALEXIS BARBEAU DESIGNS LOCATION: BOCA RATON, FL YEARS IN BUSINESS: 35 WWW.ALEXISBARBEAUDESIGNS.COM
PIECE NAME: SEAHORSE CUFF MATERIALS USED: Sterling Silver and Fossilized Palmwood Stone PIECE DESCRIPTION: I carved the image of the seahorse out of wax from a picture that a photographer friend of mine took while we were scuba diving. The settings for the petrified palmwood fossil stones is also carved from wax and I have used the shape from my coral texture collection to create the settings. Utilizing lost wax casting, pieces are cast in sterling silver and then fabricated into a cuff bracelet design with stone setting and bright finish completing the process. The reverse side of the bracelet has an intricate open carving so as to resemble the porosity of coral and it’s hidden treasures on the reef. PIECE INSPIRATION: Seahorses are some of the most intriguing vertebrates in the ocean. Being very tiny creatures, they are well camouflaged. You cannot believe that the microscopic form swaying in the current on that small blade of sea grass is actually alive. My cuff is in honor of these magical animals.
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AYESHA MAYADAS LOCATION: ENGLEWOOD, NJ YEARS IN BUSINESS: 15 WWW.AYESHASTUDIO.COM
PIECE NAME: POP TOP RING MATERIALS USED: Solid Sterling Silver PIECE DESCRIPTION: At first glance, the Pop Top ring is a bold, industrial-style Sterling Silver ring that possesses a strong purposeful design. A second look tells one that the design is not altogether unfamiliar. The piece’s unique ring shank sits just in front of the bold disc design that varies from ring to ring. The top disc plates may feature a 4 to 5 digit number or alternatively, a symmetrical geometric pattern that extends just slightly over the shank of the ring. The varied ring designs can be worn together and as such form an interesting set of patterns across multiple fingers and when a single ring is worn, it makes a bold assertive statement. It is an easy conversation piece. Is it a machine part?, recycled industrial remnant?, a regenerated piece of factory finding? The truth is closer than anyone might imagine. In fact, it may be as close as this morning’s breakfast. PIECE INSPIRATION: The inspiration for this ring begins with my insatiable fascination with line. All the pieces in my collection strive for an elegant simplicity that lets the eye travel effortless across the surface of the piece. In an everyday action of removing the carton tops from the liquids we imbibe for breakfast, the fluid lines of the pop top caught my attention and the Pop Top Ring was born. One cannot consider this recycling, but perhaps it speaks better to a type of upcycling. Either way, it feels like a product of our times, memorialized in precious metal.
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BELLE BROOKE DESIGNS LOCATION: TAOS, NM YEARS IN BUSINESS: 10 WWW.BELLEBROOKE.NET
PIECE NAME: LUZ PETITE HALF MOON HOOP EARRRINGS MATERIALS USED: Recycled Sterling Silver and Diamonds PIECE DESCRIPTION: The Luz Petite Half Moon Hoops are made of sterling silver and have an oxidized interior for added contrast in the design. The diamonds set on both sides and are GVS quality, a total of 0.12 carats. They have a standard hoop closure. PIECE INSPIRATION: I wanted to create earrings that would be great for every day, a pair that would contend as a favorite piece of jewelry. They are a great size for work, workout, and also flatter any evening attire as well.
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DANA BRONFMAN LOCATION: BROOKLYN, NY YEARS IN BUSINESS: 1 WWW.DANABRONFMAN.COM
PIECE NAME: TRINA RING WITH DIAMOND TRIO MATERIALS USED: Post-consumer recycled Diamonds (.09 tcw), recycled Sterling Silver, Black Rhodium PIECE DESCRIPTION: This ring marries industrial and natural qualities through combining traditional jewelry craftsmanship with new technology. A hand-carved wax prototype led to recreating the same design with computer-designed precision from a 3D printer. After casting the ring in recycled sterling silver, we overlay the top of the tapered bar with a hammered finish, and brush the sides for a matte touch. Three diamonds in a cascade according to their sizes (0.04, 0.03, 0.02 cts) are burnish-set into the top of the ring, and which is finally plated in black rhodium, adding unexpected element and allowing the brilliant diamonds to pop in contrast. Circular cutouts of varying sizes in the ring’s side allows light to shine through. PIECE INSPIRATION: The shape of this piece resulted both organically through my playful process of carving wax and the industrial structures that influenced me as I inhabit my every day environment amongst the architecture, as well as the contrasting glamorous and gritty energies of New York City. The circular cutouts of varying sizes in the ring’s sides resulted from an experiment in playing with negative space. I wanted to create a piece that would encompass multiple levels of interest, allowing the light to shine through from the side, while the top is a tapered bar that rests slightly over the third and fifth finger; additionally, three cascading diamonds add a highlight and beautiful shine to the otherwise edgy ring.
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EARTH BELOW SKY CREATIONS LOCATION: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO YEARS IN BUSINESS: 2 WWW.EARTHBELOWSKYCREATIONS.COM
PIECE NAME: OVAL SWIRL TRAPEZE NECKLACE MATERIALS USED: Fine silver precious metal clay, Sterling Silver chain, Carnelian faceted beads, and Goldstone polished beads PIECE DESCRIPTION: Handmade fine silver swirl pattern trapeze pendant necklace with carnelian faceted and goldstone polished beads. Sterling silver chain. Overall length 26 inches. Lobster claw closure. PIECE INSPIRATION: I have always liked the aesthetic of layered necklaces and chandelier style earrings. Up till now most of my necklaces have been larger stone bead collar style necklaces. I wanted to explore the idea of a more draped style necklace that would accentuate the décolleté. Something sexy, yet wearable every day. I create all my designs for this line by starting with precious metal clay. Deeply textured pieces of fired precious metal clay are my playground where my design inspiration arises from seeing how the contrast in the metals texture catches my eye. I then add beads and keum boo gold accents where it excites me.
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KURTULAN DESIGNS LOCATION: ISTANBUL, TURKEY YEARS IN BUSINESS: 23 WWW.KURTULAN.COM
PIECE NAME: MEDITERRANEAN WAVES MATERIALS USED: 24K Gold and 925K Silver with Diamonds PIECE DESCRIPTION: Cuff bangle, handmade. PIECE INSPIRATION: Waves at the sea, it’s like the life.
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LILLY BARRACK LTD. LOCATION: ALBUQUERQUE, NM YEARS IN BUSINESS: 30 WWW.LILLYBARRACK.COM
PIECE NAME: TURQUOISE RING MATERIALS USED: Sterling Silver, 14KT Gold and Turquoise PIECE DESCRIPTION: This is a one of kind LILLY BARRACK Bracelet. It is .925 Sterling Silver with huge Gold Accents this one of kind piece of Turquoise is beyond excellent in color and shape! PIECE INSPIRATION: The stone inspired us!
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MAJESTIC ART JEWELRY LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, CA YEARS IN BUSINESS: 30 www.majestic-art.com
PIECE NAME: AGAPE LOVE RING MATERIALS USED: This ring has 18K Rose Gold and Sterlium Plus Silver (No rhodium needed) and an Uncut (Rough) Diamond PIECE DESCRIPTION: 18K Rose Gold and Sterlium plus Silver Rough Diamond Engagement Ring set. The Diamond is about 5.00ct and ring has its own matching band to make it a complete set. PIECE INSPIRATION: We used a Uncut (Rough) Diamond to represent pure love and used a cage to capture the love. Pure love, once captured would never be able to leave the lover.
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METAL STUDIO LOCATION: CHIANG MAI, THAILAND YEARS IN BUSINESS: 10 WWW.METAL-STUDIO-THAILAND.COM
PIECE NAME: DENDRITIC QUARTZ NECKLACE MATERIALS USED: Dendritic Quartz gemstone. Rutilite gemstone, Silver and Brass handcrafted setting. 24k Gold plated Silver beads PIECE DESCRIPTION: Dendritic quartz gemstone set using a mixed metal, silver and brass picture frame setting. A secondary rutilated quartz gemstone adorns the side of the necklace. The chain of the necklace is crafted from multiple chain types and mixes polished silver, oxidized silver and 24k silver beads to create a unique look. PIECE INSPIRATION: This piece is crafted around a hand selected piece of dendritic quartz. The inspiration of this piece is the landscape like scenes that occur within the gem. Sirilak wanted to highlight this by creating a picture frame setting from silver and brass around the gemstone. The chain of this necklace is Sirilak’s signature look of matching oxidized and polished silver to 24k gold plated silver.
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MICHAEL JENSEN DESIGNS LOCATION: RIO RANCHO, NM YEARS IN BUSINESS: 28 WWW.MICHAELJENSENDESIGNS.COM
PIECE NAME: GOTHIC KEY FOB MATERIALS USED: The fob was hand carved in wax and hand cast in Bronze. The chain was hand made from Bronze wire. The finish was left in a natural state after the casting was cleaned up. The Stainless Steel key ring was purchased. PIECE DESCRIPTION: This is a handmade bronze Key Fob in the image of a Gothic quatrefoil with a natural patina and satin finish on a handmade bronze chain with a stainless steel key ring. It is complete on both sides - signed on the bottom edge. PIECE INSPIRATION: This piece is inspired by the Gothic architecture found in window tracery. It is a complementary piece to our evolving VETUS men’s line.
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NEETA GUPTA LOCATION: WINNIPEG, CANADA YEARS IN BUSINESS: 2 WWW.NEETAGUPTA.CA
PIECE NAME: TREE OF LIFE MATERIALS USED: Sterling Silver, Diamonds PIECE DESCRIPTION: It’s a hand crafted pendant with diamonds on both sides. It has a feel of the tree bark, finished in natural silver color. PIECE INSPIRATION: This piece of jewelry is reflection of a natural tree. Last fall, one morning I was looking at a tree with no leaves on it and sun shining through the bare branches. I tried to capture this in my creation.
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SPENCER FINE JEWELRY LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, CA YEARS IN BUSINESS: 2 WWW.SPENCERFINEJEWELRY.COM
PIECE NAME: GOLD-PAINTED AFRICAN SWALLOWTAIL PORTRAIT NECKLACE MATERIALS USED: Rock Crystal Quartz, non-tarnish Sterling Silver, 24K Gold powder, a photograph of a butterfly, six Diamonds PIECE DESCRIPTION: A photo of an African White Lady Butterfly is encapsulated in Rock Crystal Quartz with hand-painted 24K gold powder, and set in a Silver bezel. The silver frame is set with six white diamonds, and it hangs on a double silver chain. As the pendant moves, the butterfly appears to twist from side to side, following the viewer. In various lights the gold appears to be radiant, or almost disappear. The optical properties make this feel magical. Since Quartz is known to hold energy, I blessed this piece to bring love and abundance for the wearer. PIECE INSPIRATION: When I was young, I decorated the wall and ceiling of my room with paper butterflies. To me, they represent Transformation as they emerge from a caterpillar, Freedom as winged beings, and Beauty. The mix of neutral colors with bright red in this African White Lady Swallowtail Butterfly inspired me to create this portrait to complement the warm and cool metal colors. The tradition of portraiture by nature elevates the subject to be honored and cherished.
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TERRY SNIDER JEWELRY LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, CA YEARS IN BUSINESS: 3 TERRYSNIDERJEWELRY.COM
PIECE NAME: BLUE DIAMOND SMILE MATERIALS USED: 14K Yellow Gold Chain, Blue Diamonds, 14K Yellow Gold Lobster Clasp PIECE DESCRIPTION: The Blue Diamond Smile is a beautifully crafted 14K YG chain necklace with gorgeous blue diamonds meticulously selected and shaped into the delicate curve of a smile. - 16” PIECE INSPIRATION: My love for the beach found me walking along the Southern California coast one afternoon. As I looked out at the horizon, the sea was shimmering in its magnificent blue splendor. Taking in this beautiful view, I found myself calm, at peace and…smiling! I created the Blue Diamond Smile necklace to remind myself of that wonderful afternoon and to share with others the happiness and contentment a little blue smile can bring.
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