ART - Aid Program for Ukraine
ART - Aid Program for Ukraine
BY: HELENA BLANCHET
hen we (@maiameravholtzman and @helena.gems) came across the article written by Elena Karpilova (@karpilova) on “When workshops turn into bomb shelters” We felt the urge to do something that can help artists whose lives are impacted by the war in Ukraine. As a result, "ART" was born.
ART is a peer-to-peer platform dedicated to offering aid (studio space, temporary housing, employment, a welcoming community of professional peers) to displaced artists. The program is currently aimed at assisting jewellery professionals impacted by the war in Ukraine. However, we intend to broaden this to serve creative refugees from all disciplines and nations, including Russian, Belarusian, and Crimean dissidents in the coming months.
Both finding assistance and offering assistance are very straightforward. Visit the official ART website and complete the appropriate form (seeking assistance or offering assistance.) We are currently sorting through all of the submissions, and if we haven’t been in touch with you yet – we will be very soon!
Thank you to everyone who has reached out offering aid. Our needs are growing by the day, so if you are able to donate, please do! If you are not sure how you can help, feel free to contact us.
Left to Right: Maia, Lena, and Helena
A Ukraine War Protester, Yonge and Bloor Toronto. April, 2022.
If you missed it…
If you missed it…
Pasha Moezzi -
Man & Machine
Pasha Moezzi -
Man & Machine
Pasha Moezzi, Toronto’s preeminent art jewellery designer, is at it again! Cozied up in his Annex-based studio, he is engineering a new collection inspired by a classic Art Deco favourite – the robot. When I heard what he was up to, I packed my camera gear to head over and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at his latest project.
The Death of Tiffany's
The Death of Tiffany's
My most controversial opinion piece to date. These diamond-studded glasses turned heads, but they weren’t all in Tiffany’s direction. Could Tiffany’s latest partnership announcement with Pharrell signal the death of creativity within this one illustrious jewellery firm? Read here to find out.
NYC Jewelry Week Podcast
NYC Jewelry Week Podcast
Rough Cut is a podcast for jewellers and small business owners in the jewellery industry. Join NYC Jewelry Week co-founder, JB Jones, and Photographer, Alain Simic, for straight talk, honest advice, trends, special guests, a touch of humour and a whole lot of unsolicited opinions about the jewelry industry.
Cabinet of Curiosities
Cabinet of Curiosities
Q & A WITH LOREN TEETELLI
ast month, Loren Nicole released an incredible new trove of jewels for us all to collect. Named, "Cabinet of Curiosities," the collection was inspired by the 16th-century cabinets and rooms which held an extraordinary assortment of historical, ornithological and geological found objects.
What are your favourite objects to add to your own cabinet of curiosities?
I don’t hunt for specific things, if I see something and it stops me, and I feel connected to it, then I might bring it home. Lately I’ve bought a lot of weird binoculars, I have a beautiful mounted display of Egyptian glass bottles with iridescent colours hanging on my wall. I love the work of Christopher Marley. I enjoy collecting ethnographic pieces when I travel. I have some pieces from Zuni and Panama made by indigenous artists. My space is small, I live in LA, but my space very much feels like a Cabinet of Curiosities. I have one bookcase in particular that everyone who comes has to open and explore.
What were the most important design/technical decisions when working with the artifacts in this collection?
I wanted to create simple modern frames that emphasized the beauty of the objects without drawing too much attention. You can see the backs of the pieces have substantial gold work, which was an engineering decision to protect the pieces as much as possible, but it is also aesthetic and beautiful and feels nice when worn.
What ended up being the most exciting/satisfying moments for you while creating these pieces?
I am most excited about these pieces being able to be worn as jewelry. Since they’ve been uncovered, they have all mostly been locked away in drawers. They weren’t originally created to be jewelry, but their new form means they can be held and interacted with. I’m interested in breaking down the museum wall, to help people reach through the glass and be able to hold the objects of their fascination.
The Love List
A curated selection of jewels I’m currently loving.
The Love List
A curated selection of jewels I’m currently loving.
A bondage moment for your wrist, this daring all-leather time-piece will be sure to turn heads. Featuring a Swiss-made automatic movement, this masterpiece of craftsmanship will remind you to feel confident in your own skin, and keep driving forward throughout your everyday.
Feel the energy of the ancients with Loren Nicole’s newest collection, Cabinet of Curiosities. This ancient Egyptian faience pendant, which dates from 663–345 BCE, depicts Hathor, the goddess of fertility, beauty, dance, and joy, in bird form. Be sure to view Loren’s hand-crafted chains to match.
Wear Lily Garbiella’s latest creation and embody the energy from one of the universe’s most powerful forces, the supernova. Centred upon a pair of lusciously-orange citrines, these earrings are handcrafted with yellow gold, platinum, diamonds and black enamel. Their 3D design will be a statement for your everyday or special occasion.
One of my favourite jewellery drops in 2021 was Frank Ocean’s new jewellery line, Homer. Delightfully nostalgic, and paved with lab-grown diamonds, his collection was as over the top as it was ethically sourced. Stealing my heart specifically was one of his high jewellery creations – the 8-bit diamond bone chain with a matching dog pendant.
While you wait for Pasha Moezzi’s new robot collection to be released, indulge yourself in some Metropolis-inspired luxury! This notched sterling silver cuff, handcrafted by Pasha, measures 6mm in width. Available in several wrist sizes, this piece is perfect for daily wear by any silver-loving minimalist or modernist.
Embrace your inner Mughal with this incredible 90-carat Colombian emerald bead presented by Anup Jogani (A.K.A. @crazygemhunter.) This striking green emerald showcases an outstanding degree of lapidary skill with its three-dimensional scalloped carving and minor to moderate traditional oil. I can see this hanging perfectly from a simple black silk cord.