american
c i a it
D ecem ber/January 2011
m aking
m
It
• • •
pig
%
Above: Alissia
Mclka-Tcichrocw’s
Jointed Jewels take
the notion of the
humble ball joint
and turn it into
wearable art.
Left: Annie Lenon
explores the possi-
bilities of string-like
structures such as
fringe, braid and
crocheted chain
(pictured).
F iv e artists w ith a .^ M r ik in g
^ r a n g e o f methods,
m aterials a n d
perspectives are a ll
fin d in g expressive
possibilities in
larger-than-life
neckwear.
Q i
What do a chemist, artist, art director, graphic
designer and product designer have in common?
A :
They’re all jewelers. And it’s a propitious time
to be one. For whatever reason—the austere econo-
my? Our dependence on impersonal technology?
The deluge of information pouring into daily life?—
people want to express themselves in a big way.
Literally: Look around, and you’ll see manacle-like
cuffs, rings the size of bouquets and, in particular,
oversize necklaces.
As the Great Recession drags on (despite official
pronouncements), you may not have the cash for a
new car or health insurance. But you can probably
afford this emphatic neckwear. The pieces by these
inventive jewelers are not tiaras from Tiffany’s. But
you could argue they are richer in concept, larger
than life and, because some use sustainable materi-
als, healthier for the Earth.
Not least, they are labors of love rather than mere
symbols of it.
dec/jann american craft 033
