I’ve been on a bit of a bracelet kick lately and I decided to extend that into a fun new creative project!
stacking trays and jewelry displays
It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the studio as I prep for my first in-person wholesale event in three years. But the beauty of making this kind of push is that it’s generating so many ideas in the studio!
I’ve been working on pieces for the Chroma Collection which led me to revisit my colorful decorative metalwork. Suddenly, I realized I wanted to make larger (and larger) oval stacking trays! And to justify the fact that I got really excited about metalwork but I’m technically doing a show for my jewelry, I decided to use these trays as displays!
Chroma earrings in dusty rose and radiant orchid
One of the things I love most about my new Chroma collection is that it combines my love of painting and my love of jewelry, so I couldn’t resist photographing some of the new earrings in front of one of my paintings!
Rehoboth Beach weekend stops: Rise Up Coffee and Heidi Lowe Jewelry Gallery
Last weekend (ok, technically since it is Monday it was now two weekend’s ago, but who’s counting) I made another trip to visit my bro and his family and couldn’t resist making another stop at Rise Up Coffee. What can I say, I’m a sucker for that black and white branding? (Not to mention the excellent breakfast and those paper straws that hold up to iced latte drinking like none other.)
So of course, I had to commence with my standard silver on steel thumb rings photos! (You can recreate the look by grabbing your own set in my online store!)
Amy Klainer at Heidi Lowe
This weekend I went to Delaware to see the opening of my friend (and production manager) Amy Klainer’s show at Heidi Lowe Gallery.
Amy’s work is inspired by the urban and industrial landscape. Amy and I use similar materials (steel) and processes (welding) but I love how different our work is. Especially because Amy powder coats her pieces in incredibly bright neon colors!
I took home two brooches but the hit of the show was definitely this big neon yellow necklace. Everyone wanted to try it on!
contrast
When these two images (a recent Instagram pic and a painting I’m working on for my class) appeared next to each other in my phone’s photo stream, I was struck by the similarities. It seems I’m very drawn to contrast these days.
In fact, it’s a pretty major theme in my jewelry as well, as evidenced by both the shift collection and my new droplets collection:
PS. If you’re waiting for new work to make it’s way into my shop, it’s coming! Just sort of slowly. I’ve got three trade shows this month, and as usual, my focus is getting work into my stores. But I promise, the work is coming to the online shop!
And if there’s something you’re just dying to get your hands on, you can always email me at megan(at)meganauman.com and I’ll be happy to get it to you!
summer in the studio
I can’t think of a better way to spend my summers than working in the studio. Even when I’ve got lots of distractions, I like to carve out some serious time for my own private art summer camp.
And that’s what I’ve been up to lately. Lots and lots of studio time.
Cranking out new work for my three (yes, three) upcoming trade shows.
And doing a little painting too.
ICFF and contemporary jewelry design
The other weekend, I went and walked ICFF, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. While the show is supposed to be cutting edge contemporary design (and isn’t just limited to furniture) I’m always a little disappointed with most of the jewelry that gets shown here, particularly in the Design Boom section.
Lately, I’ve really been wondering:
- Where are the opportunities to show contemporary jewelry with a strong design focus?
- And where is the market (or is there a market) for contemporary jewelry with a strong design focus?
I can name a core group of jewelry designers who are creating cutting edge designed jewelry, but I wish there were more places where this group could be seen together in the US.
What are your thoughts? Are there shows or opportunities that focus solely on design oriented jewelry here in the US?
heidi lowe gallery
On the way home from the beach, I stopped by Heidi Lowe Gallery in Rehoboth Beach, DE to check out the Earring Show. Heidi runs such an adorable gallery that carries really innovative art jewelry. I’ve been lucky enough to be represented by her for the last few years. (Heidi and I also teach together in the Metals + Jewelry and Interdisciplinary Object Design department at Towson Univeristy – but we almost never see each other, because we’re always there on different days!)
Heidi changes the displays for every show – and the results are always fresh and fun. If you’re heading towards the beach in Delaware or Maryland this summer, I highly recommend stopping by. The Earring Show just came down, but I’m guessing Jim Charles solo show will be worth checking out too. (And be sure to browse the drawers for all Heidi’s represented artists, including yours truly.)
Sunday afternoon eye candy, courtesy of my students
For my summer session class, I assigned my students a paper (its actually a University mandate for 100-level art electives). I decided to have my students choose one artist from Klimt02 and discuss their work. I had a lot of fun reading their papers and gaining insight into some jewelers I don’t usually look at. Here are some of their finds:
