Facets Jewellery and Exhibition
Possibly one of the most exciting and intensely focused times of my jewellery career so far, was creating work for Facets exhibition.
It is a series of work based on traditionally handmade and hand painted fans by the talented Chinese artist, Chen Xin.
The style of art work Chen Xin has expressed on his fans is quite varied. Some with bold colours in geometrical designs, others with more traditional themes such as flowers and mountains.
My designs for the exhibition explored the use of colour, mountains, flowers and the shape of the fan itself.
The exhibition was held at Hanrad Rug Gallery and the opening night was ticketed with all proceeds going to Cambridge Riding for Disabled.
The night was nothing short of magical. A live catwalk with three wonderful models, (three of my daughters) who kindly show cased my jewellery and handmade evening bags.
Elegance
These stunning earrings are a variety of natural coloured cabochon sapphires with a few faceted sapphires, diamonds and South Sea keshi pearls.
Geo
Focusing on the use of colour and geometry. The stones in the ring and bracelet are tourmalines.
Facets
This beautiful detachable pendant consists of sapphires, black and white diamonds, 18ct yellow gold and platinum and hangs on fine strands of black spinels. Sold
Sunrise
I loved making this ring. Themed on rough mountain terrain with valleys and rivers depicted by tiny white diamonds. Sunrise is represented by a stunning orange sapphire. The metal is 14ct red gold and platinum.
Sunset
How pretty is the night sky when it is pale blue with white clouds and glimpses of orange as the sun sets.
A detachable fan shaped pendant made from natural turquoise with a triangle shaped Australian South Sea pearl and orange garnet, hanging on rough cut Mexican fire opals and freshwater pearls.
Dreaming
Turquoise is personal favourite of mine. Fan shaped natural turquoise set in gold with South Sea keshi pearls.
Sleek
One of Chen Xin's fans was painted deep blue with gold flecks and had a gold grid patterned mountain on it. A green version of the fan can be seen a few photos back and a red further on.
The stones in the earrings above are Lapis lazuli, the same coloured blue as painted on his fan, and it has naturally occurring gold flecks in it.
Mountain Blue
A truly stunning necklace of lapis lazuli fans, citrines and a detachable wire mountain with white and gold diamonds.
Night Sky
A bold ring of lapsi lazuli set in gold with a sterling silver band.
Forget-me-not
I made this pendant very close to the opening night, after I realised I had nothing in theme to wear!
A fan shaped pendant with flowers, each with a different coloured sapphire centre and a gem grade Australian South Sea tear drop pearl.
Floral
I also wore this sweet ring of gold flowers, one with a pink sapphire centre and two with diamond centres.
Evening Bags
Just because I can, I decided it would be fun to have fan shaped evening bags for the exhibition.
Making these bags quickly became bigger than 'Ben Hurr' and more than a hundred hours went into designing and making a few bags. The necessity of this aspect to the exhibition was questioned by friends, family and myself in the end!
However, those who have one of the few I made say it is admired and coveted frequently.
The fabric is silk and the buttons are hand carved in Italy. The bags also have semi precious stones on them - faceted black spinel beads.
Only one left for sale. $1200- Contact me if you are interested in purchasing.
Sold
For Sale
This striking art deco looking evening bag is available for purchase. It also comes with a handmade nut bag to help keep it clean when it is not out on the town!
Facets Exhibition - finale
Many, many thanks to all who attended this event and a huge Thank You to Barry and Chao at Hanrad Rug Gallery for giving me the opportunity to exhibit with them.
