Stolen Jewels

If you subscribe to Madonna's "Material Girl" motto, dig pixelated images, and feel that stolen stuff is just plain cool, then you'll drool over MikeandMaake's Stolen Jewels collection. Stolen Jewels features low-res images of some of the most expensive jewels on earth "stolen" from the web (using google image search), doctored, enlarged, and then printed onto scored leather. The price of the collection ranges from 250-750 dollars, a real steal when compared to 350 million dollar sticker price of the real Hope Diamond, which they've reinvented as a broach. Even though I still can't afford these, I do appreciate the craftiness, playfulness and overall stolen-ness of MikeandMaake's Stolen Jewels.

Get Real

Tom Binns' latest collection is called “Get Real”. Made from photographs of rings, necklaces, earrings, and watches ripped from glossy magazines, the innovative designer then laminates them and reassembles the images, creating a new piece of jewelry. Binns is one of Michelle Obama's favorite designers, she has worn his necklaces on two separate occasions. Binns said about this collection, “Now you can get your diamonds, emeralds, and shit."

With his support from the First Lady, Binns is now ready to take his business to the next level — he says that could mean taking on a financial backer, making bags or T-shirts, or even, if Target was willing to go in with him, doing a mass retail collaboration. The pieces from his Get Real collection sold for around $100, meaning he is definitely open to doing items in a more affordable price range. This is a collaboration I would definitely make a trip to the Galleria for.

Wallpaper Necklaces

Sofia Barao's new necklaces are made from vintage French wallpaper, then tied with a satin ribbon. Will this necklace make me feel like I, too, am in Paris?

Japanese Prints Inspire Everything

Doesn't this look familiar?

Japanese Waves Coin Necklace by Kaymen B Jewelry

Hey ART105/106......

The Great Wave, by Hokusai

Speaking of Tom Ford...

Here's a recent interview with the designer: wearer of impeccable suits, procurer of excellent Botox, part-time role model, full time BAMF. He's got opinions on men's jewelry, tuxedos, sex of all kinds, and obviously, the nature of sexy.

Beatrix Potter nostalgia

vintage bunny charm on etsy, which I failed to buy, and is now sold out. moral of the story: sometimes impulse buying isn't such a bad idea.

[etsy is an online community of individual vendors, where the emphasis is supposed to be on handmade products]

Jewelry saves the World

M.I.A.'s sister, Kali Arulpragasam, has created a line of necklaces that provide social commentary on World Hunger. Inspired by the way food is perceived in countries other than in the West, Arulpragasam made beads that molded from staples like corn, beans, rice, lentils and seeds, and has created with that some amazing jewelry. She uses Iraq, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and another six countries as themes.

It may sound like an oxymoron to create gold and silver beads to send a message about poverty, famine and consumption but in her defense we have to point out that a percentage of the sales from this collection will go directly to Oxfam International. Additionally, Arulpragasam plans to donate each respective necklace design to its corresponding country's national museum. "I'm one of those people who can't do much about what's going on in those places," she explains. "This is small compared to what's going on, but hopefully it will have an impact."

See more about this designer and her work at www.superfertile.com

Laser Cut Rings

Steven Shein laser cut rings, only $8.00 each!

http://www.notcot.com/archives/2008/12/unique_la_adven.php

Bookery

I know during study week the last thing you want to see is another book... but check out these cool rings made out of pages of a book! Betty Pepper is a textile / jewelery designer maker. In her effort to find that elusive something which makes an object desirable and somewhat ‘magical’ she explores different media and techniques in both two and three-dimensions.

Recycled Jewelry

Christian Diehl is a German artist who makes all of her jewelry out of recycled materials. She was trained as an architect and on her website (linked above) she shows her photography.

FAIR TRADE BAZAAR

Check out the Fair Trade Bazaar going on RIGHT NOW in the Aula!!!

This event brings local vendors representing hand crafted goods from around the world to our very own Ely Hall.
Items range from hand crafted jewelry made of bread dough ($5.00+) and glass necklaces made from recycled magazine to coffee and other food goods

Not quite feeling the DC today? Meal worthy food is also available from Twisted Soul and others

Prices start as low as 25 cents for candy...
Check it out! You're bound to find something of interest
Why not get started on that holiday shopping?

This event runs Saturday (today) from 10-5 and tomorrow from 11-5
Don't miss it!