September 16, 2010

Channeling Paris Nudes Jewelry Series


I found vintage images of French nudes from Paris recently and they were my inspiration for a new series of jewelry featuring aspects from those beautiful old photographs.

I hammered copper with a texture hammer creating a wood like surface that I then enhanced with patina.  I then cut an off set peep hole and a french nude was sandwiched between the two layers of copper.

The two pieces of copper are attached using micro bolts and copper spacers creating an anchor for the chain with pearl bobbles.  I like the play of soft pearls against the hard copper and the nuts and bolts.  This ying/yang method appears often in my work - I am drawn to it again and again.  When I am finished with the piece it just feels right to me.


The image has a resin lens that gives the image a nice glow and protects it from wear.

This necklace was created in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.  I am currently making a series of variations of this necklace for my upcoming show at The Liberty Belle in the West Bottoms of Kansas City the first weekend of October.  Stop by, it's a great show and I would love to see you.  You can't miss me I will be the booth under the mannequin hanging from the window above made from twigs and metal wire - another piece I put together for the show.

I will also have vintage hats, a fabulous vintage coat from the 70s, a couple of vintage dresses, and great vintage purses from the 50s-70s.  Hope to see you there.

Blessings - Julie

9 comments:

Caterina Giglio said...

Julie, this is smashing. I love the yin yang approach and the faux wood is amazing and the beads higher up by the neck is ... swoon worthy! I am working on my first jewelry line and learning so much, you are an inspiration!
oh and stop by bellantico for my little giveaway if you get a chance!

Alice said...

Julie,
What a beautiful way to honor Breast Cancer Awareness.

I love how you paired the hard, rough texture of the metal with the soft hazy image.

Your work is amazing. I'd love to have you hold my hand through metalsmithing and cold connections.

Alice said...

Julie,
What a beautiful way to honor Breast Cancer Awareness.

I love how you paired the hard, rough texture of the metal with the soft hazy image.

Your work is amazing. I'd love to have you hold my hand through metalsmithing and cold connections.

Riki Schumacher said...

Lovely piece Julie, I love using French nudes too. There's just something so romantic and freeing about their pictures. Great piece for cancer awareness. Best of luck at the show! Knock em dead! Hugs, Riki

TesoriTrovati said...

Peep show jewelry! Brilliant! Would be awesome through a vintage keyhole, no?

I would love to use those little screws...I think I might have some. I will have to get them out and play!

Enjoy the day!
Erin

Domna said...

amazing necklace with a secret! )) i'm so inspired! sometimes i will make a card like your necklace ! :)thanks!

Diane said...

Oh, I think this is just the best...and right on time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! My mother and my aunt both are survivors! Hallelujah!
diane
xoxox

Esther said...

what an exquisite necklace... in the little hole .. the picture.. it's fantastic!!! And what a noble way to speak about cancer..!!!

Anonymous said...

love this peice. the texture and the peephole are great. but tying it all together with the little screws is fabulous. I love them, been looking for something similar for a long time to no avail. where do you get these?
rosalindford@nf.sympatico.ca