emiko-o reware

Just got my work back from the Minimal Bling exhibition that was at the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston last month. I was extremely pleased that they used my Maharajah’s 6th LEGO necklace in the promotional materials, including the gorgeous postcard. While I was at SNAG Philly last May I had the pleasure of reconnecting with the Director, Beth Ann Gerstein, and Exhibitions Director, Fabio Fernandez. SAC had first shown my work way back in 2003 when I was doing the Truth tiara series.

For Minimal Bling I made 2 new mid-range pieces to accompany this neckpiece and the Duchess neckpiece (these latter 2 are now at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft‘s Transmutations show).

Pas de trois is a necklace that riffs off my recent Cygne Noir reinterpretation of Lalique’s Women with Black Swans enamel necklace. The pendant has 3 components, the bottom 2 of which are interchangeable.

Twilight is my latest Limited Edition bracelet, which I was compelled to make way before I got sucked into the black hole obsession of a series that obliterated my month of January (hence the lack of posts since early december; I’m 10 pages away from finishing the last book, thank god!). I must say it does justice to books; what would Stephenie Meyer say?

Most of the non-CA shows that my work is in I don’t get the chance to see, but my pal Shana swung by and shot these pics of the gallery entrance, where lo and behold, my Luke and Darth Vader earrings are HUGE on the banner! No wonder those earrings sold!

Well, well, I’ve been a bit slow on the uptake for jumping into the new year; all that sleep during Christmas and New Years is quite addictive and hard to give up so quickly. How did a month go by already (answer: many rainy nights cozy in bed ravishing the Twilight series….)?! Time to get back on the art train before laziness slips in. So many shows this past fall/winter, I’ve missed a few in these posts; catch-up time.

So, one of the most recent exhibitions happening now is Transmutations: Material Reborn at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (image above is from HCCC website). Curated by Susan Sloan, the artists were selected from the book she juried, 500 Plastic Jewelry Designs which was published this past fall by Lark Books. Lovely book and I only wish I could see the show in Houston. Luckily many other metalsmiths will get the chance to see it during the SNAG “going to Extremes” conference in March.

UPDATE:  the Houston Press posted this on Feb 5, 2010

eventful houston Transmutations

In the meantime, I’m enjoying seeing my LEGO necklaces images used as PR for the show. Too bad the red and white Cartier Blanc is not in the show after all (it sold during Sienna Gallery’s show So Fake They’ll Think It’s Real).

HCCC website

Here is the blurb about the show from HCCC’s site:
“Curated by celebrated jeweler, Susan Sloan, TRANSMUTATIONS:  Material Reborn showcases 28 international jewelry artists who transform materials, such as resin, latex, rubber, vinyl, and thermoplastics, into outrageous jewelry and wearable art.  The exhibition includes pieces meant for everyday adornment as well as those that make a larger-than-life statement—some of which are created in combination with more conventional materials, such as gold, silver, pearls, and gemstones.  Stop by the Artist Hall at HCCC to see this stunning array of wearables made from plastic Lego toy parts, precious materials, and found objects!”

Modern Luxury Houston

violette femme pendant and earrings

I’ve been cranking jewelery at the bench this last month to get ready for the holiday season, in particular for the SFMOMA Holidaze Craft Fairs that I’ll be selling at these next 2 Saturdays before Christmas, Dec 12 & 19, from 11:30-5:30. All proceeds go directly to the artists which is fantastic, but means that I can only accept cash or checks, not credit cards, boo hoo. ANYWAY, I’m excited to show my new KIDS line of bracelets ($15-$35) and new Pendants (shown in the photos here, $45-$55)  that have a more feminine flair with a tiny silver chain and just a hint of lego and bling. Come on out to Fort Mason Building A, SFMOMA Artists Gallery, would love to see you!

tire pendant & Mod earrings

It’s December and Viking Angels are ready for Holiday Action! New LEGO minifig earrings for the holidays to suit the viking, raver, and santa lover in everyone. Just posted them up on Etsy, only for the holidays.

EXCITING NEWSFLASH: Announcing 2 new locations for emiko-o reware jewelry:

Phoenix Museum of Art Museum Store in Phoenix Arizonia (love the museum stores!)

Localpatron Holiday Store on Grant St (@ Green) in SF, CA (double love their selection of local Bay Area artists and designers; I can’t help but drop serious dough when I go in there to bring new work…). Localpatron is only around for the holidays, so shop before Jan 15.

Want to choose from a huge selection of my latest work in person? You’re in luck; I’ll be selling at the first ever SFMOMA Holidaze Craft Fairs at the SFMOMA Artists Gallery in Fort Mason, Building A on Dec 12 & 19, 11am-5:30pm.

This coming Thursday, Sept 10 I will be back at my alma mater Syracuse University (it’s been over 12 years!) to do my Top Ten Tips for Post Grad Success workshop for the Jewelry & Metalsmithing Dept, plus give an evening artist talk at 7pm. The workshop is only for students, but I believe the artist talk is open to the public. The talk will be held at the Comart facility at 119 Comstock Ave, Room 022 (see poster below).

emiko SU poster

I’m super excited to share my decade+ of real world experience with the students, as I often hear that Professional Development is not covered in the classroom and SHOULD be. The Professional Guidelines (co-sponsored by SNAG, Harriete Estel Berman, chair) is definitely going to be an underlying thread to the afternoon, plus interactive activities, worksheets, demos. Get ready for brain explosion!
Highlights from the lecture will be posted on this blog in the weeks ahead–so stay tuned!

LEGO Blue Steel Necklace and domino bracelet

The evening lecture will focus on my work from the last 4 years, mostly the LEGO series, so if you’re in the area, bring your buddies along for a trip down brick geek lane…..

All My First Royal Jewels are officially out of the house and showing off their sparkle at various exhibitions through most of this month! Just recently, two shows opened on the East Coast at Sienna Gallery in Lenox, MA, and at the Atrium Art Gallery at Ball State University in Muncie, IN.

anya kivarkis ring

At Sienna is So Fake They’ll Think It’s Real (through Sept 21), a show curated by the group 18K GOLD TONE, inspired by their experience at a pawn shop, where the attendant tried to sell them an engagement ring with a huge plastic stone –”It’s so fake, they’ll think it’s real!” Posing the question, “When we can no longer discern the actual from the absurd where do our values fall?” All of us artists in the show have in our own ways subverted this idea of Real. Anya Kivarkis‘s ring above is quite to this point.

karin seufert necklace

I love this necklace by Karin Seufert, probably because like my own work, it is mimicing a familiar, possibly historic style. And I hadn’t the slightest clue what the material was (until i saw a description–pvc!)–always a success when using alternative materials. Honored to be included in this show alongside such artists as: Pia Aleborg       Gijs Bakker Frédéric Braham        Mike Bray        Gisa Elmer        Karl Fritsch          Anya Kivarkis Mia Maljojoki        Trevor Mahovsky Karin Seufert       Kevin Yates        Rhonda Weppler

Hop over a few states to Indiana at Ball State University’s Atrium Art Gallery for a recycled art show, Reclaim Reuse Renew, through Sept 26. Artists who use  post consumer materials, leaving a lighter footprint with their art. The big names in this show are: Michelle Stitzlen, Boris Bally, Leo Sewell, and of course, Harriete Estel Berman. (Note that the images below do not neccessarily depict the exact work in the show, but rather give an example of their styles.)

Harriete Estel Berman's tin teacups

Leo Sewell's assemblage

Michelle Stitzlen's Butterfly

Boris Bally's use of traffic signs

The opening reception for re/PURPOSE at the African American Art and Culture Complex was quite the turnout last Thursday–besides the show that Christine and I are in (there we are in the photo to the left), the Simply Nina show upstairs had its opening as well. Not only did so many artists show up, but city officials like Ross Mirakami (District Supervisor) came to celebrate the newly renovated spaces (next month the city will have an official ribbon cutting, since funding for the renovations have come from the city). In the downstairs gallery, each of our jewelry-wearing mannequins sits statuesquely in their own window, facing the lobby. Just before we left at 8pm, we got in a little papparazzi action in front of our work. Check out more photos on my flickr.

my "Maharajah" LEGO necklace

my "Cygne Noir" LEGO necklace

Christine's circuit board breastplate

Christine's runway circuit piece

Come join Christine Dhein and I for another fabulous Recycled Artwork exhibition, called “re/PURPOSE“, at the African American Art & Culture Complex. The Opening Reception is this Thursday, July 23 from 6-8pm. Our lovely mannequin possé is out yet again, sporting circuit boards and LEGO pieces, in a primo spot, enticing you to enter the show…. Other artists in the show (curated by the lovely Samara Rivers) include: Evan Bissell, Wosene Kosrof, Moses Nornberg, and William Rhodes. Should be a great party: funk dj and wine and cheese for our show, and another art opening upstairs, “Simply Nina“, celebrating Nina Simone, with a live jazz singer singing Nina’s songs.

The AAACC is located at 762 Fulton St @ Webster. Stop by and say hi!

To add to my incredible emiko-o Month of Press (someone recently asked me “Who does your PR?”, and i was like, uhhhhh…you mean me?), the current issue of Metalsmith features My First Royal Jewels Collection, starting on page 46. An intelligent and interesting article, “Mining History: Ornamentalism Revisted“, written by Namita Gupta Wiggers (curator of Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland OR) and Lena Vigna (curator, Miami University Art Museum, OH), takes us on a tour of contemporary jewelers (myself included) whose work harkens back to an earlier period of the decorative arts . I was overjoyed and floored that a full-page image of my Queen Margherita necklace was presented opposite the title page!

I really  had no idea that a return to ornamentalism was happening on a larger scale until I saw the Decorative Resurgance show that my work was in (and won first place for) this May at Rowan University. Then this article came out and now I’m seeing more and more exhibitions pop up in this vein. Works for me!

metalsmith article

Queen Margherita in Metalsmith

Cygne Noir necklace

Well, it only took me 6 weeks to finish the photos for the 2 new necklaces I made for SNAG’s Jewelry In Motion at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this May. Cygne Noir (pictured left) and Blue Steel (see below, left) are the latest editions to the My First Royal Jewels Collection, reinterpreting works by Lalique and Boucheron, respectively.

The photo shoot was well worth the wait, as I discovered that Calumet Photographic rents Canon lenses, specifically the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS. LOVE IT! For $30/day I can finally shoot portraits of my jewelry with the appropriate lens and not have to stand 20 feet away from the model. And to think that I was considering plunking down $1300 for the lens new! One of the many reasons I love living in the Mission.

Jamielyn in Cygne Noir

Thanks to my gorgeously photogenic model, Jamielyn, who graciously let me squeeze her into what seemed like a size -0 david’s bridal dress from Mission Thrift (another plus for the hood!). And also get powdered white for a few hours. Special thanks to Shana Astrachan‘s makeup artistry in helping realize my 18th century aristocratic vision! Go team!

Blue Steel necklace

See more of the photos on my flickr.