Juiced Up Jewels

Who: Sam Woehrmann
What: Custom Goldsmithing and Jewelry Design
Where: San Francisco, CA
Web: http://www.iamthatsam.com/
Why: Techno cool jewels with a heart. 22K and 18K gold and juicy gems from sustainable sources, crisp lines and masterful technique add up to pared-down perfection!

In Her Element

Who: Deb LeAir
What: Hand-carved Ceramics
Where: Saint Paul, MN
Web: http://home.comcast.net/~dholt99/debleair/
Why: Deb is a born builder, whether it's building clay pots or her own house. Yes, a house. All by herself. In the woods. How cool is that?
She has also always felt a strong kinship with the earth, serving as a wilderness guide for a time, then entering college first to study geology, then to pursue an MFA in ceramics. Nature is her element and earthen materials are truly transformed in her hands.
Her vessels, vases, boxes and tiles and full-on installations incorporate deeply carved images from nature, stained in rich colors, then washed and wiped with black pigments to emphasis the flowing forms. She uses an unusual technique called terra sigillata instead of traditional glazes because it gives the pieces a soft, dry, matte finish and a distinctive crackle. Her aim is to "make these surfaces dance"...you can indeed practically hear a soft rustling of reeds and see a shimmer of leaves in the breeze.
Her name may be LeAir but I think Earth must be her true sign!

Jewels with Attitude

Who: Alejandro Sifuentes of Equinox Gallery
What: Handcrafted Jewelry
Where: San Antonio, TX
Web: http://www.alejandrosifuentes.com/
Why: Earthy, chunky, primitive designs, with a "Take it or leave it" attitude.
With jeans or silks, on a guy or a girl.
Statement pieces that say it all.

Dazzling Doodles

Who: Valentina Ramos
What: Original & Inspirational Art
Where: Miami, FL
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/valentinadesign
http://www.valentinaramos.blogspot.com/
Why: I briefly mentioned Valentina Ramos' work back on Elephant Appreciation Day, so I'd like to show you a few more of her mind-dazzlingly detailed pieces here. Prints, Stationery, Tea Towels, Fabrics and Original Paintings intricately rendered and brought to delightful life. Just love every little stroke and every wide swath of plush and plentiful color!

A Cut Above

Who: Kyle Anne Judson
What: Modern Handmade Jewelry: Gold, Silver and Gemstones
Where: Santa Barbara, CA
Web: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kyleannemetals
http://kyleannemetals.blogspot.com/
Why: Kyle Anne's elegant rose-cut stones bring a novel dimension to her beautifully crafted contemporary jewels. Rose cuts have a flat bottom and a faceting pattern that typically bring them to a point high above the setting...a refreshing change from traditional brilliant cuts and perfect for gems that have more character. Kyle Anne has an affinity for unusual gem materials too...pink, golden, grey and black Diamonds, deep teal blue Indicolite Tourmalines and smoldering fire orange Sapphires. She uses only conflict-free gems and eco-friendly 14K and 18K yellow, rose and white gold (yay!).
And yes, her rings make fabulous stackables!  :)

Singin' the Blues...and Reds...and Yellows...

Who: Jonathan Winfisky
What: Blown and Cast Sculptural Glass Vessel Forms
Where: Charlemont, MA
Web: http://www.winfiskyglass.com/index.html
http://www.winfiskyglass.net/
Why: Dad was a bit of an art collector and one of his favorite pieces was a stunningly beautiful cobalt blue vase by Jonathan Winfisky. Jonathan's bold use of color is certainly eye-catching, especially his rich, saturated Cobalt Blue Collection and his traffic-stopping yellow and orange Flower Bud Top Vases. His classic forms, including stately pedestal vessels and perfume bottles, and his softly undulating sea-inspired shapes have captured critical acclaim and a faithful clientele. You can find his work online through Grow Gallery's etsy site, but if you're passing through northwest Massachusetts, stop by Grow Gallery to see those gorgeous colors in person, or give Jonathan a call and you can visit his supercool working glass studio and see him in action!