No Rules Jewelry

Enamel on Fine Silver Jewelry

Maya Madden and Wayne Farra are the owners and designers of No Rules Jewelry, and the vast majority of their jewelry is made by applying enamel to fine silver. Through the years, many enameling techniques have been developed. Some involve how the metal is prepared, and some involve how the enamel is applied. This is labor-intensive and time-consuming work.



From the Brookes Collection:



Brookes Dangle Earrings in Smoke

Brookes Dangle Shield Earrings in Cobalt Blue

$48



Enamels are made of finely ground and sifted glass. To create this type of jewelry, the enamels are dampened with distilled water and placed, grain by grain, between the cloisonné wires. The enamels are then fired in a kiln until they melt into a single thin layer. The process of applying the enamels and firing is repeated as many as 10-15 times, until they are flush with the tops of the wires or base.



From the Mosaics Collection:



Mosaic Earrings in Amethyst

Mosaic Earrings in Black

$42



Cloisonné Enamel is a type of enamel work used by Maya and Wayne. In this process, very thin strips of silver or gold wire are attached to the surface of a piece of metal, usually fine silver or gold. The resulting chambers are filled in with multiple layers of colored enamel until they reach the height of the wires. The resulting piece is then ground until it is perfectly smooth and highly polished.



From the Geo Collection:



Geo Bracelet

$195



Anything that can be made out of metal can be enameled - from vases to spoons, to frames to jewelry, from metal mesh to solid forms, from large to small, from fancy to plain. Even the tub inside your common household washing machine is most likely enameled.



Maya Madden Statement

Over the last 15 years, I have sought to create jewelry that is fun to wear and affordable to buy. The creation of my pieces has been inspired by dreams and the natural beauty of my surroundings. Since 1996, enameling on fine silver has been a strong element of my work. These pieces are often embellished with gems and beads. NO RULES Jewelry is now a collaboration of Wayne and myself. Our work reflects a marriage of man and woman, Design and Esthetic.

Wayne Farra Statement

Twenty + years ago, I began creating jewelry mainly using casting techniques and often cutting rock to be used in my designs. Since then, I have explored a variety of materials, from plastic to polyform clay and currently back to precious metals and gems. Maya and I put our ideas and skills together to create NO RULES Jewelry. We are fortunate to live and have our studio in a converted schoolhouse that was built in 1911 and which is located in the beautiful Wisconsin River Valley.

See full article.





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Susan Marie Designs Jewelry - 04 July 2008

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Find your Supermodel Strut

(A public service announcement.)

There are times, days, and longer stretches when a woman doesn't feel her best. When this happens to you, whatever you do, don't lay around depressed. Get out there, do errands, meet friends or just take a walk. And no matter how you feel, exhausted, hot, sweaty, whatever—push through the “pain” and walk like you're on the catwalk. Yes, find your supermodel strut every woman has. May I suggest, unless you prefer not, wedges or heels as well. Put one foot in front of the other, quite literally, hold your head up high, and this is a time when it's okay (and will help you concentrate on keeping up the pace) to pout, also like on the runway. There might be a reason even models pout, they have woman problems, too, and it's a chore to walk so perfectly - yet while it's a chore it makes you feel as good as accomplishing such work. Despite that pout it will cheer you up, you'll feel your womanly power and you might even get to your destination more quickly. I also bet it's better than a leisurely stroll for burning calories and building muscle.

Find your inner supermodel strut and confidence will shine from you, and it will even seep into your mood!

In the Merry Month of May

I love May, and not just because it's my birthday month. May is the month when Spring turns into Summer (at least here in Arkansas), the privet blooms and our backyard becomes perfumed like a night in Brazil, and my mood improves wonderfully (perhaps because my fibromyalgia does). I have been so busy with shipping and paperwork, not to mention trying to get my office/studio reorganized that I haven't had much time for making jewelry. Of course, I haven't had that drive lately that causes me to stay at the studio so late that I see the policemen change shifts in front of city hall across the way. I've been having ideas, but the ideas are such that I require hours of time to play with colour schemes, gemstones and manipulate wire without interruptions of any kind.
However, I did do the apatite bracelet above, 2 strands of sea-coloured apatite with lampwork beads by Lynn Nurge, while dreaming of crashing into waves with a kayak.The bracelet above is unusual for me - a combination of brown and blue is not one I am known for. But the fantastic beads were my starting point, and I loved them so much I had to go with the two colours. So of course I chose pietersite for the brown: wonderful browns with great subtle patterns and sometimes glints of gold and blue. The Swarovski crystals keep the bracelet from becoming too earthy.

I adore lapis! The lapis earrings that you see here are made with some of my favorite pieces of lapis. The ones above feature good blue lapis with great ripples of sparkling gold pyrite-very nicely sparkling pyrite in chunky faceted nuggets. The earrings below feature some fantastic faceted diamond squares and rondelles of gorgeous blue that hang from sterling posts with spirals around a lapis cabachon.
Here's hoping for some time, totally free time, so that I can play, because play so often results in wonderful things!
Tell me, are the flowers blooming in Finland yet?

jewellery accessories jewelry fashion shopping braceletsbeads handmade beaded jewelry beading helmi gioielli smykker tak? juvelen lampwork beads The Jewelry Blog jewelry trends accessories jewelry handmade bracelet unusual jewelry lapis jewelry

My Picks!

Left to right: Poppy Tunic Dress, $19.80, www.forever21.com; Adriana Knit Dress, $39.50, www.delias.com; Draped Tube Dress, $22.99, www.charlotte-russe.com; bex beads dress, $149.99, www.usa.frenchconnection.com

Left to right: Grecian Dress, $38.50, www.alloy.com; Jersey dress, $45, www.victoriassecret.com; Safari Belted Pencil Dress, $128, www.ardenb.com; ABS by Allen Schwartz Belted Shirtdress, $258, www.shop.nordstrom.com

If you too aren’t drawn to patterns, try picking dresses in this season’s must-have shapes like the bubble dress but opt for colors you’ll always cherish. Black and other neutrals are classics but summer was meant for color so go live a little!

Advanced Fashion Quiz: Martin's Dream Edition

One of the photos below shows a Eugenia Kim hat, retail price: $312; the other shows an Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie from my new favorite website. Can you tell which is which?

_________________________________

Martin says:
I like the second one.

Susan Marie Designs Jewelry

Fine Jewelry Designer and Goldsmith

The timeless elegance of the finest handcrafted gold, precious gemstone and pearl jewelry awaits you at Susan Marie Phipps' website. A professional goldsmith for twenty-four years, Susan is also a GIA graduate gemologist, using her expertise to select only the most vibrant Diamonds, Tahitian Pearls, fancy colored Sapphire, Tanzanite, and other gemstones for use in her work.





14k Gold & Multicolor Sapphire Pendant

1.38 carats Sapphire

3 mm Japanese Cultured Pearl

18" 14k Yellow Gold 10-strand cable necklace



Susan Phipps began making jewelry while attending a high school class on the subject, in her hometown of Findlay, Ohio. During that period, she received several awards, including a Gold Key Scholastic Award for jewelry in 1979 and 1980. She furthered her study of metalsmithing at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, and later at the University of South Carolina.





14k Gold & Spessarite Garnet Earrings

3.09 carats Spessarite Garnet

.10 carats Diamond

14k Yellow Gold



Susan Phipps' professional career began in 1981, when she was employed as a goldsmith, and she continued working for various employers until 1993, when she began her own business. In August 1992, she completed the Gemological Institute of America's program and earned a Graduate Gemologist Degree.





18k Gold & Chrome Tourmaline Ring

1.23 carats Medicine Wheel-cut Chrome Tourmaline

Cut by award winning stone cutter Larry Woods

18k Yellow Gold

Platinum crown



Artist Statement

My experience as a goldsmith enables me to design jewelry that is functional and substantial enough that customers will not have durability problems. To me, this is a basic and fundamental consideration in designing fine jewelry.



As a graduate gemologist, I am aware of the broad spectrum of colored stones available beyond emeralds, blue sapphires and rubies. I always enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for colored stones with others, exciting people with the endless possibilities which exist for coordination of colored gemstone jewelry with fashion.



To this end, I carefully hand-select gemstones of all colors for use in my work. In choosing gemstones, I pay special attention to the quality of the cut and the maximum beauty it has to offer. In addition, I seek stones of exceptional clarity and vibrant color, always with an eye for overall quality and value.



As an artist, I have always been drawn to forms which are graceful and elegant, without being overly complex. I want my designs to enhance and amplify, never crowd or compete with the inherent beauty of the precious material of which they are composed. As I evolve, I will continue to draw on these basic principles of sound design in order to create classical styles that will endure through the seasons of fashion.

AWARDS AND COMPETITIONS

2001 American Gem Trade Association's Spectrum Award

1998 26th International Pearl Design Competition

1995 De Beers Diamonds Today Award

1993 21st International Pearl Design Competition

1993 American Vision Award

See full article.





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Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

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Susan Barth Jewelry - 27 June 2008

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Juicy Couture Jewelry

Juicy Couture



Once upon a time, two women created the cutest velour hoodies and matching drawstring pants. The line was called Juicy Couture and every starlet in Tinseltown had to have one. Soon after, so did the rest of the world. Now the once little brand has blossomed into a fashion empire, complete with clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags, and most recently, fragrance.





Juicy Couture Onyx Geometric Ring

Geometry is easy to master - pyramids and angled bands create striking linear effect.

14-karat yellow gold plate.

Black onyx.

$92



Juicy Couture was founded in 1997, by Gela Nash-Taylor and Pamela Skaist-Levy, as premium designer, marketer and wholesaler of sexy sophisticated basics. The California-based company is known worldwide for its casual-chic designs, high quality materials and superior craftsmanship. Juicy Couture is embraced by fashionistas from all walks of life, and is also a celebrity favorite.





Juicy Couture 'Vintage Estate' Chain Bracelet

Five linked chains in various finishes and widths comprise a vintage-inspired bracelet centered with tiny heart charms.

Width: 2"

Bar closure.

Length: 7 1/2"

14k gold-plated brass/enamel.

$128



Juicy Couture started out as a women's sportswear line but quickly branched out, and began offering a full line of products. Juicy Couture brings their signature style to their extraordinary line of women's shoes and girl's shoes. For women, Juicy Couture offers a wide array of pumps, sandals, ballet-flats, slippers and boots. Trendy young girls can enjoy a wonderful selection of Juicy Couture sandals and flats.





Juicy Couture Buckle Bracelet

Faux buckle gives a unique look to a wide bracelet.

Magnetic bar closure with clasp lock.

14k gold- or platinum-plated brass.

Width: 1 1/4"

Length: 7"

$128



Juicy Couture embodies all that is chic and glamorous, but lends itself to a relaxed and comfortable way of dressing. Juicy Couture is all about being happy, feeling comfortable, and looking gorgeous.

See full article.





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Juicy Couture Handbag - 22 October 2006

Spring/Summer 07 Jewelry Colors - 27 January 2007

Warm it Up & Be Juicy - 10 February 2007

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