Two On Tuesdays...Textured Treasures

I've enjoyed the great privilege of working with some of the finest art jewelry galleries in the country and meeting some extraordinary jewelers. Two that particularly stand out are Janet Alix and Tami Dean.

I met Janet Alix years ago and immediately liked her. She is strong and centered, and she radiates a glowing positive energy that is just magnetic. She is an immensely talented jeweler, not just design-wise, but at the bench too. Her pieces are lush yet tight, richly colored with beautiful gems and silky pearls. The most noticeable thing about her designs are the unique textures she uses. She's developed several textural techniques including her "shardy bits", tiny design elements fused into the gold. I love the feel of them and the interest they add to each piece. Janet's jewelry is a delight to all of the senses!

Tami Dean has long been one of my favorite jewelers. Her designs feature high karat golds and gorgeous gems such as Boulder Opals, Chrysoprase, Diamonds and Tourmalines. Influenced by a range of life experiences from living in an original Greene & Greene style home to studying cultures in Latin America and West Africa, Tami's designs reflect a love of color and a keen eye for composition, melding archetypal shapes and forms with modern aesthetics. Sort of a cross between Mayan and Jetson, I like to call her highly textured style "astro-whimsical"...dynamic to the eye in all dimensions and so very pleasing to wear!

Two On Tuesdays...Case of the Blues

Ladies singing the blues...in keys of lovely Moonstone and Opal.

Conni Mainne uses beautiful gems such as vivid ocean-hued Blue Moonstones in her nature-inspired designs, set off by the deep yellow of 18K gold. Her pieces are feminine, yet strong and bold, and are wonderfully wearable.

Julie Shaw's gorgeous jewels bring to mind a sort of lush tribal elegance. She sets rare and unusual gems into high karat gold amulets which have been colored with brilliant patinas, and suspends them from streams of pearls or handmade links. The overall look is one of ancient and natural magic, inspired by her many travels to the world's most sacred places.