old-fashioned/modern

an old-fashioned style of stone setting reinterpreted in a modern way.  the designer is brilliant in her considerations of all angles beyond just the bird's eye view.

i love this ring, the way the rock is perched way high with over-sized clasps.  a DIF rock will be a complete waste here as there's not enough light coming from below to maximize the illumination.  nonetheless the design is a nice twist from tradition.  and the outcome is classy, timeless and decidedly modern.

an intentionally flattened 2-D design coupled with a 3-D pattern- all in a classic, vintage, chinese shape that looks "laser-cut".  interesting!

again, i love the way the pearl is boldly set perched up.  the colored "claws" add creepiness..

this can look seriously kitschy and tacky but it's not.  thanks to the deep tapering of the union jack (like a picnic blanket) and the wide chunky band like a man's ring.  the yellow gold with almost a green tint is a brilliant choice.

hands holding up a faceted plate diamond.  it is quite popular in hong kong, the plate diamond (usually without any facet).  since it's cut so thin and priority lies not in the 3C's, even a 5-carat plate diamond becomes almost affordable.  

i LOVE the baguette cut.  something charming about the way these skinny rocks are held (curving towards the band) and the extra clasps on the center emerald make for a nice retro look.  (sorry, your grandmother's hand-me-down is not quite the same).

i'm not usually a fan of colored gems.  but i like the wire-like structures holding up the flower petals.  the way the band is a coil of wire finishes the look.

eerily beautiful

i'm obssessed with arielle de pinto's work.  her hand-crocheted metal chains are at once simplistic, sophisticated and strange.  her masks are the most provocative with a tribal flavor.  innocent enough for a child yet hauntingly mysterious upon closer scrutiny..

captivating image

- is it a man or a woman?

dear santa

just making sure you don't get me the wrong presents like in previous years.  to simplify matters, i'm offering you two choices:

1.  necklace cum bracelet by van cleef & arpels

ingeniously zip up into a bracelet

"Van Cleef & Arpels first made jewelry based on the design of a Zip at the proposition of the Duchess of Windsor Simpson in the 1930's.  The latest iteration is the Diamond Zip and is made of white gold accentuated with diamonds.  The Diamond Zip can be worn as a necklace when opened and when closed can be worn as a bracelet."

2.  a 2-person ladder tree stand

one is a little pricey but a breeze to carry.  the other is cheap (single-seater only $18.40) but a monster to lug around.  so.. your choice between the two.  please don't come up with a third!

love, vanessa

ps.  heed my request and you'll enjoy extra-delicious homemade cookies filled with valrhona 75%!

delfina delettrez

some of mark walsh & leslie chin's designs definitely bring to mind delfina delettrez.

stunning.  but can it be comfortable with all those skulls rubbing between your fingers?

gold and diamond skull ring, $52,100.  available at CoutureLab.

victorian x picasso!

visage choker, $10,750.  CoutureLab.

yes, the world is in your hand, miss delfina.

my world bracelet, $3,500.  CoutureLab.

you have to give her credit for balancing punk rock + elegance so effortlessly.

gold, diamond and pearl skull earrings, $46,700.  CoutureLab.

simple, modern and effective.

button down silver collar necklace, $2,050.  LuisaViaRoma.

a limited edition of her signature hand bracelet, $3,975.  LuisaViaRoma.

dali-inspired?

silver salome double ring, $475.

i prefer this piece to loree rodkin's anyday.

special order skeleton hand bracelet, $25,600.  LuisaViaRoma.

delettrez is a fourth generation fendi, but she seems to have really made it on her own.  she launched her first collection in paris at age 20, in 2007.  though not every piece is my style, i'm attracted to the youthfulness, fun and carefree spirit, and fearlessness in her work.  qualities that cannot be faked.

mark walsh & leslie chin

created rodarte's "unseen" jewelry for fall 2009 collection.  walsh and chin designed some haunting and interesting pieces for the mulleavy sisters which never made it to the runway in time (how very strange and sad).  here are some pieces from the collection.

treasure hunt

mk + i spent the morning at the flea market.  here are a few memorable pieces.

a stool crafted out of solid teak wood.  asking $150.

a skinny bench with nice joinery but not very stable.  asking $25.

cute stroller in the  back.

this stall of handmade jewelry is incredible.  the owner is the artist and he reminds me of beth orduna except that his work is more raw and bold.  if you can zoom into the photo, the piece with the chunky crystal dangling from the thick industrial chain on the left center of picture is my favorite.  he asked for $80 and i would have gotten it if not for the rust on the chain.  his work has soul and his aloofness is touching.

you can sense his artistry not only from the pieces he created, but the care he put into the display of his work.  

these boots rock!  thomas wylde, would you please plagiarize them for your next collection??

& bling

got pins?

bling

i love jewelry, especially ones that are unusual.  i came across beth orduna's diamond necklace (see top image) six months ago and loved its quirky shape and how the diamonds were used as if they were cheap and cheerful.  but the price was a little prohibitive.  when i saw the bottom necklace at eugene choo in vancouver last month, it reminded me of beth's piece and i just had to have it.  who'd imagine two bent nails cast in silver would make a great necklace.  can't wait for it to tarnish and look like real rusty nails.

studs

coral slabs set in gold and blackened silver, these studs are stunning.  designed by eileen coyne for CoutureLab for $1481.