This collection of plastic jewelry designs in all sorts of forms (resin, latex, rubber, epoxy,acrylic, polyester, and thermoplastics) fulfills its promise of breaking new ground in a breathtaking way. It is indeed a 21st century book!
I was floored by the high calibre of striking innovation offered by the collection of pieces in this gloriously varied book celebrating plastics in jewelry form.
I have a tie to plastic. As a child in the 1950's, my sister and I used Bakelite napkin rings at dinner. I used to chew on mine --it tasted good. While I don't recommend this, you will find Bakelite, the earliest form of plastic(developed in the 1930's), in this book. I also had a full-on fabulous meeting with the first form of polyethylene. My grandfather was the head of a liquor company which he was diversifying. He wanted to concentrate on chemicals instead of liquor in the fifties. One day he brought over to our house, for us to see and play with, an egg carton full of colored polyethylene eggs which had hard plastic chicks inside. It was the first polyethylene anyone had seen. A flexible plastic! My sister and I were astounded at how the eggs popped open and then retained their shape as you pushed them back together.
Even without those experiences, plastic has played a major part in my life as a child of this modern era.
However, NEVER, have I seen anything like this remarkable, visionary collection of jewelry, created by designers all over the world.
Some pieces are forward-thinking in their style, such as the charismatic, mysterious, circle shaped design by Carla Pennie McBride. "Untitled", it is made of sterling silver, epoxy resin, mulberry paper, and India ink. It is fabricated, stamped, inlaid and oxidized.
It looks like a universe vortex to me. Possibly it will took like a coin or a totem to you as you come upon it while perusing this book.
I wish to mention that the above piece employs sterling silver. That is another very wonderful thing about this book. It isn't only plastic which is utilized as material for the designs which are in this book. It is simply that each item celebrates plastic in some form or another as its major driving force. There are, within 500 Plastic Jewelry Designs, all sorts of pieces which employ, in addition to plastic, gold, gemstones, silver and other traditional jewelry materials.
Another example of a fascinating find you might come across and respond to would be one of my favorite pieces: Chris Jensen's Golden Lego Pendant. Designed in 2007, This witty piece is extremely charming.
It employs a green Lego, 14 karat yellow gold, diamonds, and chrome diopside gemstones. It has been cut, cast, riveted, and tube set. It is a stunning commentary on how we think about what is wonderful and beautiful as we grow up from children to adults, and it is more than that--it's a fancy Lego. You have to LOVE it!
One set of bracelets which I liked does not use anything but a form of plastic: foam. The photo shows two hands shaking : each one is wearing a different style of asphalt tone to black toned foam. One is a bangle and one is called a noodle bracelet. They are vibrant and wild looking in design. These are by Joe Churchman. I think they are very cool. Plastic alone in the form of foam is used to fabricate these incredibly imaginative bracelets.
For a change of pace entirely, admire the robotic style ring by Katja Prins from her "Machines are US Series: Ring 2004. It looks like a plug with a snapped out mechanism. Remarkable and so edgy. It is made of silver and plastic. What adventurers these designers are! This ring called to me the way Japanese toys do. I found it to be beautiful in a very original way.
In the meanwhile,if you are wondering about "beauty", as I have not mentioned it more than once or twice, do not worry. The photos of the pieces which you will be viewing in 500 Plastic Jewelry Designs depict only beautiful creations. In particular, I would like to mention a more classic piece (but it is all plastic!) by the, wonderful artist, Yuka Saito. This piece is called "Ocean" and is a luxurious, gentle, sensual, falling necklace of blue petals or water droplets, made of polypropylene and nylon. You couldn't find a more beautiful necklace anywhere in the world.
I have to say that it is a privilege to have this book. It is amazing, it is astounding, it is clever and intelligent, it is heartbreakingly gorgeous. If you collect books about jewelry, it will inspire you to the utmost. The juror, Susan Kasson Sloan, with her great experience and background, was the perfect choice for this book, as was the editor, Marthe Le Van.
Finally, if you look on page 311, you will find Kandice Mascotti's "Bunny Bath Bead" ring. It's a red bead bunny made of plastic, it is set in a sterling ring, it is GREAT ... and it looks good enough to chew on!
