emiko-o reware

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Jewelry in Motion at the Philadelphia Museum of Art was certainly a highlight of Day 2. All 34 of us who were showing in the event were corraled into the main entry in front of the grand staircase inside the museum, and given brief instruction on the catwalk, stair placement, and order of artists.

Here is just a sampling of images: James Thurman‘s Book Jacket of recycled book covers, and Anthony Tammaro‘s Here I Am chandelier-like neckpiece with bells that chimed. Below that is Christine Bossler‘s Inhibit reverse arm pieces of monofilament and pearls.

James Thurman and Anthony Tammaro's piece

Christine Bossler's Inhibit

Curated by Gail Brown and organized by Marjorie Simon, everything fell into place, from the live music by Alex Styer, choreographed dancers from Jeanne Ruddy Dance, and witty emcees Lola Brooks and Jonathan Wahl.

Jewelry In Motion (photo by Jennifer Crupi)

There really is no better way to show jewelry than on the body, and after the show was over and we all descended the stairs and made our way off the catwalk, the cameras continued snapping and countless curious audience members introduced themselves to us to inspect the pieces.

emiko's jewelry in motion

Here I am (center) with SNAG member Alecia Wesner and my partner in catwalk crime, Christi Swier. The debut of my latest creations, Blue Steel (Boucheron replica), and Cygne Noir (Lalique replica). The costume designer in me couldn’t resist the opportunity to be theatrical with the 18th century wigs and ball gowns, especially after my Cher appearance at SNAG 05 at the Rock and Roll Hall. I encourage everyone who participates in future Jewelry In Motions to consider their entire get-up just as you would the display of your pieces in a gallery. Not only are you memorable, but it’s the best opportunity to meet TONS of people. Next JIM is SNAG ’10 in Houston, so start designing now!

If you TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS of Jewelry in Motion, please let me know and I’ll post your links. So far, Jennifer Crupi has her images up on Picasa and Jennifer Zwilling has images on Flickr .  SNAG photographer, Phil Renato, has some raw b&w images on Flickr. And there were rumors that a local TV station was filming…I’ll keep you posted.

A few weeks ago I got a call from ReadyMade magazine, which was interested in writing a story about me and my LEGO work (they had a LEGO focus and found me on Etsy). So not only will you see me in next month’s print issue on the newstands, but I was also interviewed by the lovely Katherine Sharpe, the new online editor for this article that went online today! Definitely one of the best written interviews I’ve had so far. She calls me “Miss Modular”, and I have to say I find it quite catchy and appropriate. Go to ReadyMade to read the article.

I’ve got less than 24 hours to get everything ready for the SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) “Revolution” conference in Philadelphia–the heat is on, to pack, and finish my new pieces (see Cygne Noir in progress, to right) for the Jewelry In Motion runway show on Thursday, May 21 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

SNAG has tapped me to be an official blogger for the conference, along with Francesca Vitali and Gabriel Craig. Check our bios and links to their blogs on the SNAG Conference page. Stay tuned here for updates and images from the conference, starting Wednesday, May 20.

In preparing for Facére Jewelry Art Gallery‘s The Long and Short of It earring show (May 6-27), I made a ton of new earrings; 3 different series of work: Limited Edition Windows, sleek tiles, and more Orbit, space age fun. See for yourself on my etsy store!

The Windows were sure a hit at the Palo Alto Art Center trunk show a few weeks ago; they also come in bronze with patinated silver, and aqua blue, which will be perfect on the runway in a few weeks! I’m working feverishly on 2 new necklaces in the series, My First Royal Jewels, for a runway show at the Philadelphia Museum of Art during the SNAG conference on May 21. Inspired by the current Lalique, Fabergé, and Tiffany exhibition at the Legion of Honor (first at the Cleveland Museum of Art–a much more extensive exhibit in OH, glad I saw it there first). Lalique’s infamous Insect Women with Black Swans necklace is my next replica in LEGO®, as well as an early Blue Steel necklace by Boucheron (original images below). I’ll be posting progress on these pieces in the next week. Choo choo, all aboard for the next stop on the e-train express…..

Boucheron necklace in blue steel