Lariats

Lariats are my signature pieces. I design them with pearls or other gemstones. Lariats are an American jewelry invention. A lariat is a long usually single strand necklace, that does not have a clasp. Initially popular in the late 1800’s during the Art Nouveau Period, they reached their zenith during the Roaring 20’s. It was said that Zelda Fitzgerald had a pearl lariat that was one hundred feet long. They were testaments to the American belief that ”anything worth doing was worth overdoing”.  Consequently, in the years that followed, they fell out of favor during the Great Depression. However, I believe  that in moderation, they are the  most versatile piece of jewelry a woman could possess. Initially, lariats were only a few feet long. However, if the length of the lariat equals the height of the wearer, it is the perfect length to be worn a variety of ways around the neck as well as around the waist. Depending upon how it is wrapped around the neck, an outfit can look casual, business-like  or dressy. Consequently, a woman could conceivably wear here lariat from work to a cocktail party, and still be perfectly attired!  If you halve it, and then slip the ends through the loop, and let them dangle to the right or the left, the look is quite sporty and casual. Wrapped twice around the neck and knotted in the middle you achieve a sophisticated image. Untied, and worn under the collar  of a jacket, makes a powerful statement. Draped around the neck, and tied loosely below the bust, lends a dazzling appearance to an evening gown. Equally effective, is to drape it so that the ends fall down the back. A most alluring look with backless gowns and cocktail dresses. And of course, tied like a belt around the waist, elegant with a sweater dress, tied loosely and draped over the hips, is downright sexy; you’ll look like a goddess.

Liberty

Liberty Earring & Necklace Set

I have always considered myself to be patriotic, although initially I didn’t know what it meant. When hearing Jimi Hendrix’ rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner”during Woodstock, it suddenly became clear to me.I wept at the pride that I suddenly felt. At the same time, all the anguish of being of African, and Native American ancestry.Because not everyone acknowledged “that all men were created equal”, although much lip service it made.

I appreciated and understood the statement when Abbie Hoffmann’s wore the shirt made out of the American flag, meaning we Americans wore our patriotism like a brand or logo.It depressed me that some people chose to interpret a desire for peace and racial equality as somehow not being American.It made me physically ill a few years later when it became ‘chic’ for the Bicentennial to wear red, white and blue bikinis, and baseball caps, when the Confederate-sympathizing Southern rednecks adopted it as statement,it became a symbol to me of the dichotomy between the words of the Constitution, and how people of color, women and gays were still being treated.

It wasn’t until the election held in 2008, that I started to become more optimistic. When Mr. Obama was inaugerated, I designed my first piece in the colors of the flag. This is the second piece I have created, in hope for the future.

The colors of freedom and liberty, the American flag rendererd in blue aventurine, and carnelian, with vintage Venetian glass rose or “wedding cake” beads. They are hand-knotted with Bohemian glass rose beads, and gold-coated seed beads, 14/20gf findings; clasp is 14kt vermeil. Approx. 18 inches, earrings approx. 1¼ inches. Available online at A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry http://www.beadbear.com/e0211.shtml

Wear Your Beads in Good Fortune!

Green is the IT Color this Year

Serpentine & Moretti Bead Necklace

Green is the hot color this year. All shades of green as indicated in the May 16 at Couture Trend Report 3
Couture Jewelers are always on the cutting edge — setting trends and keeping their customers in vogue.
This year everyone will be green with envy over this bevy of Couture jewels that showcase the color of the year from pale seafoam to deep, dark emerald.

Visit A.R.T. Precious Collectible Jewelry http://www.beadbear.com has your favorite shade of green, in pearls, gemstones from amazonite to turquoise with all kinds of unusual glass beads. Shop today! We use Google Checkout for your secure shopping convenience.

Aventurine Dream Necklace

What Kind of Necklace is Apropriate to Your Bustline

I don’t like that question because it presumes that women wear jewelry as mean of disguise.

Far from it! Jewelry is one of the highest and most personal forms of self-expression. It reflects who we really think we are. So there is no jewelry that can apologise for your existence. There is only jewelry that is designed to celebrate the joy of your being, no matter the size of your breasts (or how many you have)!

A better question might be what necklace is right for the clothes you have on at the moment? You wear different jewelry based on a variety of parameters. Are you wearing a turtle neck, are you wearing a bustier? Are you dressing for the office, digging a ditch or a cocktail party? What are you doing? Are you standing, walking around/active, or sitting at a desk or on a stage?

My philosophy is that with the right jewelry, it doesn’t matter what’s underneath; you could be naked. Because if you are wearing something that makes your heart sing, you will be beautiful.