When Jewelry Artisans Imitate Nature

Nature has long been a driving force for the creative talents in the art world. Painters, sculptors and interior designers have taken their cues from Mother Nature and the variety of colors and textures she has provided to the palette. Yet it is not just the artisan who creates big works of art who is looking to nature for inspiration.

On the smaller scale, jewelry makers, too, have been looking to nature for stimulation and artistic ideas. Case in point is the work of Karen Vesk. As noted by the CT Post, Vesk is famous for her maritime artistry that takes on the form of necklaces. Find pottery shards, beach glass and small shells or their fragments on a blue string. The result is an abstract work of art that is nevertheless stylish, wearable and a sure conversation starter. For the fan of the Lake Erie shoreline, it is a one of a kind piece that will hold a special place in the jewelry collection.

Focusing on the natural aspects of the artwork is not a new trend; albeit one that is finally entering the mainstream. There is a growing clientele for wearable art that is unique, does not come off a factory rack and does not have lots of shiny metal attached. Instead, these jewelry fans look for pieces that feature naturally tumbled stones, driftwood, leather and similar items. Buyers for these types of pieces come from varied backgrounds.

Some are members of the avant-garde, the art scene or artisans themselves. Others have personal or sentimental ties to the area where the majority of the raw materials for the jewelry have originated. Still others have fallen in love with the look and feel of wooden beads, unevenly shaped stones, driftwood and soft leather. Just ask Lisa Bernal and Jennifer Buchanan of Colorado.  Their business revolves around the use of semi-precious stones, unique designs, leather and driftwood.

Jewelry makers in this line of work are the exact opposite from the fine jewelry creators who market to high-end shopping malls. These artisans seek to combine a variety of natural components without doing a lot to alter the look that nature has given them. They may combine several items simply for the sake of a fall theme creation. Others go to great pains to have their jewelry items bespeak the gentle lap of the waves from a lake or pond.

The nature-inspired artisans are quick to concede that their muse is nature herself. Customer demand, the current hot trends in the jewelry trade magazines and the best-selling items at the retail store are of little interest to these creators of wearable art. Moreover, the types of raw materials that other jewelry makers would discard – shell fragments, damaged rocks, raggedy looking leather and discolored driftwood – hold special places of interest for these modern visionaries who see art and jewelry where others see, well, nothing or only very little.

Artisans freely acknowledge that swimming against the stream is giving them a level of personal satisfaction that they have not previously experienced in their crafts. The same clearly holds true for the growing legion of fans that this medium is gathering. 

Peter Suchy Jewelers enjoys bringing you news on what’s new and trendy in the jewelry world. We hope you’ll stop by and visit our showroom located at 1137 High Ridge Road in Stamford Connecticut.

Or, if you prefer shopping for vintage and antique jewelry online, head on over to our eBay store. Please do like us on Facebook and check out our amazing Pinterest Boards!