By Ula Ilnytzky
The Associated Press
NEW YORK - The Museum of Arts and Design has received a donation of 800 pieces of silver jewelry designed in the 20th century by tribal and ethnic artisans from around the world.
The collection is a gift from Daniel and Serga Nadler, who amassed the pieces over 30 years during expeditions to remote areas of Africa, China, Egypt, Greece, India, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Thailand and western United States.
The museum described the collection of unsigned pieces of wearable art as one of the most comprehensive holdings of tribal, ethnic and contemporary jewelry in the world.
“The collection helps underscore our commitment to the idea that design is a universal phenomenon and that ideas in the visual arts are echoed in other parts of the world that most people don’t think about,” David McFadden, MAD’s chief curator, said.
Many of the Nadler pieces were worn by the indigenous people as symbols of status and wealth. All are executed in silver, with a few incorporating amber, coral, turquoise and enamel. While the majority are decorative, some had practical applications, such as an ornamental enameled brooch used to hold together the clothing of Beni Yenni women in the mountainous region of northern Algeria.
But their “real value is vested in the design,” said McFadden.
“Their forms and the techniques have strong reverberations in modern and contemporary jewelry design,” he said. “Over the last half century, many, many jewelers have been inspired by this material.”
Among the highlights is a pair of silver anklets from India.
The museum, formerly known as the American Craft Museum, is scheduled to move to a new facility on Columbus Circle on Sept. 27. The collection is part of an opening exhibition, “Forward Thinking,” including the works of other jewelry artists.
Source: http://www.readingeagle.com
September 15th, 2008
San Diego, CA (1888PressRelease) September 15, 2008 - Crochet jewelry allows Miriam Jewels to stand alone in the handmade jewelry industry. Now available on the World Wide Web located online at MiriamJewels.com. The Miriam Jewels online store presents the Miriam Jewels Signature Wire Crochet Jewelry collections – handmade jewelry and Peruvian art jewelry. Artsy, quality conscious and savvy online shoppers are now able to select from hundreds of unique, handmade crochet wire jewelry pieces. Miriam Jewels offers a wide variety of crochet jewelry items, including three unique collections: the Classic Crochet Jewelry Collection, the Gypsy Crochet Jewelry Collection and the Inca Crochet Jewelry Collection. “We offer alternatives to traditional jewelry choices” said Miriam Chor Freitas, artist and designer.
“We are unlike any other jewelry collection in the marketplace – mostly one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry art.”
Crochet jewelry handmade art jewelry that is the result of combining the ancient arts of crocheting, wire wrapping, knotting and knitting with metal wire, crystals, precious and semi-precious stones. Miriam Jewels created unique collections of timeless wire crochet jewelry - pieces of wearable art. The highlight of the crochet jewelry is the Peruvian jewelry stitch that is a flawless Peruvian jewelry crochet technique that creates perfectly symmetrical stitches that result in amazing eye-catching handmade jewelry designs.
Brazilian born artist, Miriam Chor Freitas, the inspiration behind Miriam Jewels, came to the United States at age 19 bringing with her two generations of family tradition in the jewelry trade. Despite her artistic ambitions, she pursued a meaningful career in Child Welfare services before starting to import a wide range of jewelry collections from around the world. Miriam developed her own wire crochet techniques and the Miriam Jewels Signature Wire Crochet Jewelry was the result. Miriam creates pieces of jewelry that are bold and lavish; yet elegant and unique wearable pieces of art that truly reflect both the artists’ sophisticated taste and the sensitivity of every woman. “Every piece of jewelry is designed to make a woman feel as beautiful on the outside as they are precious on the inside” according to Miriam.
Since starting the business in 2003, Miriam Chor Freitas has been committed to continuing her handcrafted jewelry philosophy. She insists on providing her customers with the highest quality handmade jewelry products, in an environment focused on personal service and attention to detail that ensures the ultimate client satisfaction.
Miriam Jewels partners with Children In Need, Inc that provides services to vulnerable children. Children In Need is a non-profit organization that provides enrichment activities to foster children. In February 2008, Miriam Jewels also partnered up with Art N Soul on 101, a non-profit gallery dedicated to showcasing local artists and donating 100% of its profits to non-profit organizations. Art N Soul on 101 is solely run by volunteers who are committed to the cause.
Sign up for the Miriam Jewels newsletter and get a 15% discount on your first purchase and receive information about up coming events and new product launches. Use coupon code NEW15 during checkout to take advantage of this special offer.
http://www.miriamjewels.com/
Source: http://www.1888pressrelease.com/
September 15th, 2008
