More artists make necklaces than any other form of jewelry-and these pieces are among the most exquisite ever created. Selected from over 5,000 entries, they range from unique chokers to artful collars. Some showcase precious metals and gems, while others use more unusual materials, including plastic, wood, paper, and glass. They and 39;re forged, cast, and woven, and have surface embellishments that run the gamut from inlay to enameling. And the variety is simply astonishing Classic bejeweled chains appear next to avant-garde felted wool constructions. Jewelers, students, collectors, and anyone who loves beautiful objects will treasure this extensive collection-the largest of its kind.

Category : Art/Media/Performance - Gifts

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One look at these breathtaking suspended neck ornaments, each pendant is a masterful work of art, whether its symbolic and purposeful (amulets, talismans, and charms) or purely decorative. Juried by Mike Holmes and Elizabeth Shypertt, co-founders of the esteemed jewelry gallery Velvet da Vinci, this beautiful color collection includes pieces crafted from diverse materials and techniques (including forging, casting, forming, and stone setting). Fecund, Tricia Lachowiec and 39;s intricate construction of oxidized sterling silver, electroformed copper, enamel, and resin, is every bit as luscious as its title suggests. Jewelers, metalsmiths, and collectors will all find inspiration in these one-of-a-kind works.

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Contemporary Expressions Of A Classic Form Think you know what a pitcher looks like? Well, picture this a salt- and soda-fired stoneware piece with boldly sensuous lines or a slab-built oil can that has been wood-fired to mimic the appearance of rust. Never before has there been such an extensive and remarkable collection of ceramic pitchers that simply redefines the art. Juried by Terry Gess, this provocative color gallery presents 500 breathtaking images that include everything from handbuilt to wheel-thrown, practical to sculptural, round to square. A matte-black sake pitcher whispers simplicity of form. The irresistible surface of an Asian-inspired porcelain piece features stenciled motifs and luminous gold luster. One pitcher and 39;s geometric lines are so dramatic that it and 39;s a challenge to distinguish the handle from the spout. Whatever the approach, the results are all magnificent.

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Innovative Expressions of Function and Style Plates and chargers can serve as more than just places to put your food they can be glorious art to show off on a table, sideboard, or hutch. These 500 spectacular pieces chosen by esteemed juror Linda Arbuckle range from the utilitarian yet beautifully glazed plate to dramatically decorated work, and theyre crafted from a remarkable variety of materials--including pristine porcelain and bold earthenware. Included is some of the best works of today and 39;s artists. Nick Joerling and 39;s stoneware is the perfect canvas for a design vigorous brush strokes set in wax resist race across its attractive surface. Kelly McKibben and 39;s hand-built Going for a Stroll showcases delicately inlaid and silk-screened images. The stunning gallery provides a unique and wide-ranging snapshot of contemporary ceramic arts. Having earned her Master of Fine Arts degree at Rhode Island School of Design, Linda Arbuckle is now a tenured professor at the University of Florida School of Art and Art History. She has also taught workshops across the U.S. and internationally. Arbuckle has a chapter-length feature in The Penland Book of Ceramics Master Classes in Ceramic Techniques (Item 45516).

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Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design It and 39;s a fabulous source book with 500 of the most creative teapots ever. From handbuilt to wheel-thrown, functional to sculptural, traditional to funky, theres a bit of everything in this artistic celebration. Some find inspiration in classic Asian designs. Others take a figurative approach. Still more look to the natural world. Browse through a variety of surface treatments, from intricate carved forms to narrative painted patterns.

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Wedding rings symbolize commitment and eternal love-but in the hands of the world and 39;s most creative jewelers they become works of art to interpret in endlessly intriguing ways. This breathtaking book, which showcases a stunning collection of contemporary, handmade wedding bands and engagement rings for men and women, shows just how far their imaginations can go. Masterfully set diamonds stand alongside conceptual designs that reflect a cutting-edge approach, such as Etienne Perret and 39;s ring made for two fingers. The large gems in James Kaya and 39;s sleek platinum setting, by contrast, seem almost suspended in air; it and 39;s the tension of the surrounding metal that holds them in place. For jewelers in search of new ideas, and those about to whisper I do, these designs provide beautiful inspiration.

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Knot one, bead two, and what have you got? Bold jewelry made from an eclectic collection of beads—one-of-a-kind lampwork beads, silver ethnic beads, exotic stones—and a selection of luscious fibers. These 30 beautiful projects show whats possible when a time-tested technique gets a fashionable update with contemporary materials and a modern aesthetic. The knots are simple and familiar to most crafters basic overhand, square, and hitches. And once thats mastered the rest is easy. Create a spiraled necklace out of linen cord and a single stunning enamel and gold-leaf focus bead. Work silky ribbon yarn in an open net to make an elegant lariat beaded scarf. How-to illustrations, beauty shots, and numerous construction tips help illuminate the process.

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These amazing techniques and projects offer a modern twist on a traditional art-and theyll transform your image of the blacksmith forever. More and more people are discovering the creative pleasure of going into an iron studio, applying high heat to steel, and hammering or pressing the metal into interesting shapes. While often admired, the process can intimidate novices…but this beautifully photographed book will change that. It provides a superb overview of the fundamentals, including various forms of steel, equipment, and safety precautions. Learn how to create a right-angle bend; form a point, flat end, spiral, and curl; and cut metal using hand tools and a plasma torch. Then follow along, step by step, to create beginner-friendly projects, including a simple trivet, ornamental door handle, wall sconce, and even a metal railing.

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This addition to the popular Masters series focuses on a topic-gold jewelry-—with mass appeal to a wide audience jewelers, metalsmiths, collectors, museums, and just about anyone who loves beautiful workmanship. Leading jewelry expert Marthe Le Van has chosen 40 of the world and 39;s best goldsmiths and presents their finest pieces. A short essay accompanies each eight-page section, along with choice quotes from the featured artists.

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Major Works by Leading Ceramists What motivates and inspires the finest porcelain artists working today? Forty internationally celebrated masters reveal their secrets, explaining just how they work with this incredibly demanding ceramic material, prized for its pristine beauty. Pure white and wonderfully delicate, porcelain is what clay potters usually graduate to only after years of honing their skills. This diverse collection showcases the results of that dedication, and the versatility is simply breathtaking Claire Curneen presents highly emotive, tactile figurative forms. Edmund de Waals elegant celadon site-specific vessel installations are renowned for their meditative presence. Harlan Houses finely carved vessels take inspiration from nature and 39;s organic forms, while Bodil Manz and 39;s eggshell porcelain cylinders are so translucent that you can sometimes discern light and shadow passing through the walls of his pots. Richard Burkett brings his extensive knowledge of all things ceramic to his role as juror of this exquisite collection. He founded Wild Rose Pottery in 1973, created salt-glazed pottery for 10 years, and currently, works with a wide range of materials, including functional stoneware and mixed-media sculpture. Burkett has an MFA in both ceramics and photography, and is a Professor of Art at San Diego State University.

Category : Art/Media/Performance - Gifts

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