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Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Rough Around the Edges

I'll be the first to admit that I'm rough around the edges. I like things that may be considered ugly or junky or taboo.  I like being a black sheep. I like my jewelry to have some bite.

I'm big on re-purposing elements in my jewelry---not from a tree-hugging recycle-hound standpoint (not that there's anything wrong with that), but from a "I really love the look of this old bead/rock/found object" standpoint. Stuff may be busted or have a crust on it---a patina of time, if you will. I like that.

Along these lines, one of the things I love playing with are vintage industrial metal bits.  They're old, they're beaten up, they're rusty, they may be broken and unusable in any other application. I like the challenge of looking at an object and then figuring out how to bring it back to life in unexpected ways.

Like this pair of earrings that I made for myself that feature some old industrial metal rings. What they were used for at one time, I have no idea. But they're pitted and corroded and covered with a layer of dark green verdigris patina...and I love them. I kept it simple by hanging them with two unusual lightweight vintage German wood beads. Each bead sports a little filigree bead cap to add some verve, plus my own headpins, ear wires, and soldering. Blackened metal because YES, please.

These are the kind of earrings that I wear everyday. They make a confident statement without clubbing you over the head. Some people may call it an "industrial chic" trend, but I just call it ME.

Happy Wednesday!
Nikki 
LoveRoot on Etsy

7 comments:

  1. Nikki, I have watched your work from the moment I found hand-crafted, Artisan Jewelry. Fancy title, innit? It has fascinated me, as it does many others. You have given me a very clear picture of YOU at the worktable, or wherever you might be staring at that found object. I can see it, and see the wheels spinning! With one sentence you have made me want to go searching for things! More fun when you just come across them, I suppose, but still. . .". . .but from a "I really love the look of this old bead/rock/found object" standpoint". Thank you for putting that out there. I will always look at small old things in a different way. And I love love the earrings. Love 'em!

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    1. I'm so happy that you're a member of EE now, Norbel! You've always been such a kind, inspired, encouraging member of the art jewelry community! :)

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  2. Me, too! I love rusty bits. I love repurposing things. That is how I got my start and I feel that I have lost that a bit. That is the meaning of the name "treasures found" for my company Tesori Trovati! These are brilliant and certainly one of a kind! Enjoy the day. Erin

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    1. Ahhh, your name now makes complete sense to me! It is weird how our artistic journey sometimes takes us away from the path that we originally started on. Not a bad thing! Movement is good :)

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  3. Okay...I want you to write descriptions for my jewelry please! I mean, your designs, in and of themselves, are always fabulous. But, I look forward to your written word as much as drooling over the goods. That is a gift!

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    1. Heheheh, maybe if the jewelry designing thing doesn't work out for me, I can hire myself out as a copywriter ;) Thanks for the kind words, they mean a lot!

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  4. I keep saying you are such a talented lady! Gorgeous jewelry, beautifully written post. And yes, you got me looking at used/old objects at a completely different way as well. Thank you for opening my eyes.

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