The Rose Sword : Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry: January 2015

Welcome to the B'sue's Boutique Build -A-Line Challenge Blog Hop!

YOU CAN FOLLOW THE BLOG TWO WAYS. In the column at left there is a full list of the blogs represented. At the end of this blog there is also a list of links. Use either to naviagte through the blog.

My name is Mary Deis and I am a student and fellow artisan. I have a full time plus gig as a English teacher to high school students (30 years strong this year!) and as a state and federal program coordinator. So, to unwind and relax, I design jewelry. I love the colors and the texture and the shapes. I love taking objects and making them be something else almost magically.

Here is a glimpse at my office /workshop:

Well, the "magic" actually happens here and any open surface in the house. All is fair game.

Some of the pieces I have crafted look like this:

While I feel that I got into this work as I fell in love with caged work such as that on Miriam Haskell pieces, I also LOVE collage and assemblage.

Having said that. . .

It's here! The first day of the blog hop for the Build A Line Challenge.

My idea for my line was build around an earlier concept I had that services one of a kinds. . .assemblage bracelets with upcycled focals.

Then it hit me. . .building a line was not that beastie. . . how could I take my original idea and turn it into something that would appeal to the masses. . .or at least to a huge mass of the masses. . .

It looked something like this when I applied for the Master Class. . .

My Idea for the Build- A- Line: After looking at the items I would have to work with and noticing that most of them are Victorian or Art Nouveau in style, I decided I wanted to flesh out my style of extremely feminine jewelry with a touch of steam punk. Hence, Belle Époque: Steam Punk in the Garden is my idea. Heads up: it is more flower and nature driven than mechanically driven.

Explanation of Idea and Reason: A time of prosperity and optimism between two wars in Europe, Belle Époque, or the Beautiful Era gave a glamorous façade to culture during a darker, seedier political climate of the time. New technology and scientific discoveries were at the fore. It was the height of the Moulin Rouge and the Folie Bergeres. Motion pictures were developed during this time. Artists were prompted by the Ecole des Beaux Arts which brought an influence of Japanese graphics inspiring artists like Aubrey Beardsley. Graphics ranged from stark black and white to the soft tones of the Pre-Raphaelite and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The scenes were often set in nature and the colors were sometimes soft and other time explosive. Art Nouveau thrived. And in many ways, we are at this very spot again in history.

The pieces for this line will be juxtaposition between science and technology with the romance of the Victorians and the Art Nouveau eras. The pieces will have a French “je ne sais quois.” Add to this the mix of the world of nature as shown through the garden, or botanique and voila—there you have it. Flowers. Insects. Animals. Birds. Cameos. Colorful glass, acrylic and metal flowers that have been painted intermingle with mechanical design elements. Asian influences will be seen, as well.

Acrylic flowers will be used to enhance the translucence and light of the era that shone through stained glass windows, lamps and jewelry such as Limoges. Acrylic/lucite flowers will also be used. Belle Époque catered to the nouveau-riche, a group we again see today. Some of these piece will require cage work in their assemblage. Some will just use collage. While the line is NOT steam-punk driven, it will have a smattering of steam punk elements included in the design. The pieces will include the element of natural light as well as soft mirrored light from faceted crystal and rhinestone surfaces. It will express the “Joie de Vivre”, or “Joy of Life” that can be found in simple things, such as a day spent in the garden, alone or with friends. Think garden parties, weddings, gardening—all captured in a bit of beauty on the ears or wrist or neck. Feminine and cultured.

A few of the pieces I show up above are the forerunner--see clock face with flowers on it and the pieces with the lavender acrylic flowers for an example. I want a girlie flowery Euro line. Old meets new. . .

So now, I am left mulling over in my brain, how can I marry this idea with a modern uptake that will still be romantic and flowery and appeal to people because of its beauty. It is not so beautiful in my brain now. So, for a bit of a tease, here goes. . .