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The Design Inspirationalist

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The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: jewelry

Featured Designer: Kelly DeKenipp

20 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design, Featured Artists

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Adornment and Torment, art, Assad Mounser, Chloe Angelides, Chris Bernabeo, dark temptations, design, emotions, enchantment, england, Henry Mounser, history, jewelry, jewelry design, Kelly DeKenipp, long island, metalsmithing, new york, Pratt's Junior Jewelry Review, Sayville Advocates of the Visual Arts Fine Artist award, torture, torture chambers, whimsy

“This allows for an awareness of darkness to exist in light.” If this statement intrigues you, then so will Kelly DeKenipp’s work. Built through concepts of traumatic emotional experiences and dark temptations, her pieces translate the realities of uneasy and somber motifs into objects of everyday wear. “My jewelry is executed with a sense of enchantment, paired with whimsical elements,” explains the designer.

Born and raised on Long Island, DeKenipp was always inspired by emotional experiences and romantic ideas. As a child she loved creating with her hands and crafted various jewelry pieces as well as small objects from paper and fabrics. In high school she won the Sayville Advocates of the Visual Arts Fine Artist award as well as a local jewelry design contest. She was destined to pursue an education in fine arts and followed that path by attending Pratt Institute in New York. During the Spring of 2012, she was awarded second place at Pratt’s Junior Jewelry Review and is graduating this year with a BFA in Fine Arts with a concentration in jewelry design.

Featured Designer: Kelly DeKenipp
Jewelry Designer, Kelly DeKenipp – Photo by Chris Bernabeo

For her thesis show, titled “Adornment and Torment” this April, she plans to unveil a collection that is highly influenced by objects of torture. Traveling to England a few years ago, Kelly was drawn to the deep secrets hidden inside the area’s castles, the historic torture chambers.

“Each object held a reflection of its past and was beautiful in form. I researched the romantic history of these objects and took notice of their physical forms and structures. The shadows left from the act of torture and the dramatic forms of various torture objects directly guided my design process.”

Featured Designer: Kelly DeKenipp

Featured Designer: Kelly DeKenipp - © Kelly DeKenipp & Photograph by Henry Mounser
Photo by Henry Mounser

Featured Designer: Kelly DeKenipp - © Kelly DeKenipp & Photograph by Henry Mounser
Photo by Henry Mounser

DeKenipp’s ability to turn the dark and fearful into something fresh, modern, and beautiful is effortlessly shown through her work. The idea of romance is also brilliantly expressed through the use of specific materials and whimsical elements. “Silver is used to construct the forms and gold leaf adds a perceived value to the pieces. The beautiful forms and choice of materials allow the work to be cherished and worn as a treasured object.”

The structural form of the artist’s pieces clearly represent her muse, and while objects of torture may seem scary and obtrusive, this collection oddly expresses wholeness, spunk and beauty. All the while, allowing hints of history to carry through so the original qualities aren’t lost but are remembered as remnants of the past.

Featured Designer: Kelly DeKenipp - © Kelly DeKenipp & Photograph by Henry Mounser
Photo by Henry Mounser

Whenever one can strip away the outside layers of an object and see beyond its original intent, is remarkable in itself. Creating a new and unique experience for the object to be a part of and carrying on its essence in a totally different light, is a talent you rarely see. It’s pretty clear DeKenipp has embraced what life has thrown her way and developed a special vision from what she has experienced. The talent was always there, she just brought it to life for all to see.

Featured Designer: Kelly DeKenipp - © Kelly DeKenipp & Photograph by Henry Mounser
Photo by Henry Mounser

I was excited to review pieces from this anticipated collection and have the opportunity to ask the artist a few questions to find out more.

(1) Are there any specific experiences in your life that have directly influenced your work?
All my work is inspired from personal experience. The designs of the jewelry in “Adornment and Torment” are inspired from a trip I took in 2009 to England. The concept derives from accepting bad energies that come into my life and being able to manipulate and transform them into positive energy.

(2) What artists/designers do you admire?
Louise Nevelson, Daniel Brush, and Alexander McQueen

(3) Are there any materials you strongly feel connected to, and if so, what role do they play in your work?
Most of my work is made in metal, especially in my current collection. It is what I am most comfortable working with. In the past I have used alternative materials such as human hair, dollhouse furniture, fur, and photographs.

(4) How do you feel school has prepared you for a career in jewelry design?
My education has prepared me to be a professional working artist. In my senior seminar class we learn to establish our own businesses. My program has also allowed for many connections to working artists and designers in my field to be made.

(5) The work you are presenting for “Adornment and Torment” are influenced by objects of torture. What has the process been like to create all these pieces?
I have had to separate myself from what the objects history are and their relationship to humanity. I focus mainly on the forms and remind myself that through this body of work I am giving these objects new meaning. I am taking a very dark concept and transforming it into something of delicacy and beauty.
Featured Designer: Kelly DeKenipp - © Kelly DeKenipp, Photograph by Chris Bernabeo
Photo by Chris Bernabeo

(6) What are your plans after you graduate?
After graduation, I plan to build my own studio space. This way I can continue to hand make jewelry. My work will continue to be inspired by the concepts of my current collection. I also plan to make jewelry using collage, directly inspired from memories and the emotions they evoke in a specific person.

(7) How do you think your design aesthetic influences your personal style? 
In fashion I am attracted to simpler styles with some edge to them. When designing, I look for dark and fantastical motifs to work with, I’d say I look for the same while shopping for clothes. I wear a lot of black.

(8) Since your work revolves around emotions and experience, what role do you feel it plays in society? 
I create a new way to look at emotional experiences. An actual emotion is transformed into something of substance that you can feel and wear. You can carry this emotion with you or leave it at home. The goal of my work is to capture a feeling and preserve it in a piece of jewelry.
Featured Designer: Kelly DeKenipp - © Kelly DeKenipp, Photograph by Chris Bernabeo
Photo by Chris Bernabeo

Featured Designer: Kelly DeKenipp

{The artist is currently working for New York based jewelry designer, Assad Mounser and living in Brooklyn. You can contact her through kellydekenipp.com}

Guest Post: Top 10 Antique Trends of 2012

29 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Guest Posts, Shopping, The Home

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Tags

2012, ancient Rome, Antique Furniture, Antique toys, Antique Trends, Art Deco, auction, Bottles, Carnival glass, childhood, Christian Davies, christiandaviesantiques, cigar bands, Coca-Cola, Collectibles, decor, dolls, Franz porcelain, French Neoclassical, Glassware, gum wrappers, interior designer, jewelry, Lamps, Ming Dynasty, Occupied Japan, Porcelain, Pyroglaze, Qing Dynasty, Roccoco-style, Space Age

Furniture
Antique furniture is usually a mainstay of the antiques trade. This year, décor has found its inspiration in French Neoclassical designs, with sweeping curves and voluptuous legs – only toned down a little more than usual. Despite the more understated look that buyers went for, gold scrolling and embellishments were still a feature. Space Age furniture was also popular and would make a striking statement juxtaposed with older pieces. Indeed, a number of interior designers have experimented in this way in 2012.

Guest Post: Top 10 Antique Trends of 2012

Glassware
This year, Carnival glass has been snapped up in the auction rooms. With a vast array of stunning patterns, the glassware’s iridescence has proven very popular. Ironically, given its popularity this year, Carnival glass gets its name from being offered as prizes at carnival games when the style became less popular. Due to its striking look, it’s usually a good idea to team it with simpler pieces or against a plain backdrop.

Guest Post: Top 10 Antique Trends of 2012

Porcelain
Also known as china, the highly-prized ceramic includes some of the most sought-after items ever created, such as bowls and vases made in the time of the Qing and Ming Dynasties. More recently, Franz porcelain and porcelain dolls have sold very well. For a whimsical look, try arranging some French porcelain house numbers across your mantelpiece or in a frame.

Coca-Cola
Collectible items from this popular drink manufacturer aren’t set to disappear any time soon. With a collectors’ club set up in the mid-70s, the brand has appeared on a huge variety of goods. Particularly popular Coca Cola items in 2012 include trays and advertisements – the bigger, the better. Rare pieces include cigar bands and gum wrappers. Owners of Coca Cola pieces report that the brightly colored items bring an instant cheer into a room.

Jewelry
Big, chunky and colorful has inspired collectors this year, as has nature-inspired jewelry. For an unusual but up-to-the-minute look, try draping long and colorful beads from tall vases, mount brooches onto box frames or use oversized pins as curtain tiebacks.

Guest Post: Top 10 Antique Trends of 2012

Occupied Japan
A huge variety of items made during the Occupied Japan (OJ) period, 1945 to 1952, has sold well this year. So that Japan could recover after WW2, it was required to mark half of its exports with ‘occupied Japan’. The most OJ items popular today are vases and porcelain items. If you think you have an OJ antique, look after it – this trend is set to stay for a little while yet.

Lamps
This year, the trend in lamps has become bolder and bigger. With a particular nod towards 1930s Art Deco bronze, lamps this year need to offer a ‘wow’ factor. If you’re lucky enough to find a lamp in a muted orange shade, try pairing it with eggshell blues and nutmegs.

Bottles
Bottle collecting is usually a popular hobby in the States and 2012 was no exception. From household containers to bitter bottles and decorative offerings, collectors have been keen this year. If you’re checking bottles to buy, remember that the ‘ABM’ mark means the bottle was made on an automated machine in 1903 or later. Pyroglaze, if you come across the ‘Pyro’ marking, means the bottle was made after 1935. Bottles first became popular in ancient Rome and China too – unsurprisingly being used to store liquids, most of the time.

Toys
Antique toys represent some of the most fascinating insights into bygone childhood pastimes. Dolls and board games are particularly popular this year, as are teddy bears. If you have children – or even if you don’t – you could use anything from tin toys to puppets to inject some playfulness into a room.

Guest Post: Top 10 Antique Trends of 2012

Dolls
Dolls represent some of the world’s most ancient playthings and have been used from before the history books began, when dolls were likely to be made from wood and clay. From Barbie to Eskimo dolls, 2012 has seen a wide variety of the popular toy pass by the auctioneer’s gavel. Doll clothes and accessories too have been very popular this year.

With 2012 almost wrapped up, it’ll be interesting to see what next year’s trends bring. Some are likely to stay firm favorites with collectors for years to come – which will they be? I put my money on pieces of antique furniture. They’re functional, stunning and change the very dynamic of a room. Antiques are always being reworked to represent some nod to the present day, such as the current trend to paint Roccoco-style furniture or upholster with more modern fabrics.

{Christian Davies is head of a self-named and family-run antiques firm based in the North West of England. He has over 25 years of experience in the antiques trade and has a particular passion for furniture from the Arts and Crafts period. For more information, visit www.christiandaviesantiques.co.uk.}

Terrain + Jewelry = Earthy Goodness

17 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Awesome Shops, Shopping

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

accessories, bracelets, earrings, handmade, jewelry, nature, necklaces, scarfs, stones, terrain

I have mentioned how much I love Terrain in many posts, even featured them as shop of the month. Well, they also have a little jewelry shop which I wanted to share. Their featured designers all create beautiful peices which clearly show inspiration from the Earth. The shop has such a nice selection of various items, both jewelry and accessories. Here are a few of my favorites.

Terrain + Jewelry = Earthy Goodness
Still Water Studs – Melissa Joy Manning

Terrain + Jewelry = Earthy Goodness
Cat’s Eye Pendant Necklace – Lulu Designs

Terrain + Jewelry = Earthy Goodness
Twined Tones Bracelet – Lulu Designs

Terrain + Jewelry = Earthy Goodness
Circle & Square Scarf

Terrain + Jewelry = Earthy Goodness
Lilac Meadow Scarf

 

Shop of the Month: Uncommon Goods

01 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Shop of the Month

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

artists, brooklyn, designers, garden, gifts, jewelry, ladybug house, new york, pillow, servingware, shopping, uncommon goods, unique gifts

Based in New York, Uncommon Goods is a unique shop that carries various items which are creatively designed. I love how most of the items are by artists and designers and are beautifully constructed as well as affordable. You can find the coolest things in this shop but I warn you, you will want to buy tons!

This year they redesigned their website so its easier and more fun to navigate. I have gotten plenty of gifts for friends and family as well as myself and I recommend you check it out. Their catalogs are impressively designed too. From jewelry to home items, Uncommon Goods offers a wide range of different products. Here are some of my favorites.

Shop of the Month: Uncommon Goods

Shop of the Month: Uncommon Goods

Shop of the Month: Uncommon Goods

Shop of the Month: Uncommon Goods

Shop of the Month: Uncommon Goods

Shop of the Month: Uncommon Goods

Shop of the Month: Uncommon Goods

Shop of the Month: Uncommon Goods

Shop of the Month: Uncommon Goods

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