Baltimore – jewelry artisans introduced to antiquing crowds

GemLily’s vision is to preserve and support the art of fine jewelry making by master artisan’s who still employ old world traditions in their craft creating current jewelry designs.

When I mentioned to friends that I would be exhibiting at the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show (we just returned a week ago Sunday) several asked why would I take new jewelry to an antiques show – since I don’t represent estate or antique jewelry.

I replied I felt the show would be fitting since I am looking to be in an environment that attracts people who appreciate fine craftsmanship and artistry. So since the jewelry GemLily represents is made by master craftsmen and women who still employ old world traditions in jewelry making -wouldn’t an antiques show be a fit? Don’t people who appreciate fine art and antiques buy them for the craftsmanship and their current or future collectability – seems I am not alone in my thinking. Other new jewelry brands we spotted exhibiting at the show included Yvel, and Jewels by Viggi, plus several individual designers working in gold, silver and mixed mediums.

One designer we met, Jim Ceravolo a modern painter exhibiting at the show, also creates a series of contemporary silver and gold cuffs – which have been featured on “30 Rock” worn by Jane Krakowski. Jim makes each piece bespoke to the wearer.  He believes the cuff should be designed using the size, shape and contours of the wrist of the individual that is wearing it.  This is why he insists on personally fitting and altering his cuff to the individual that is buying it, before it is cast in silver or gold.  Jim’s Studio is based in South Hampton, NY and can be found at www.ceravolocuffs.com

The designers featured in the GemLily booth at the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show each were individually well received by the public. Show attendees who stopped by the booth and chatted with me and Henry Elfering were delighted to see the diverse representation of fine jewelry craftsmanship so well presented and being supported.

From Bagh Designs of New York a new line of 18K men’s cuff links received plenty of notice from the gentlemen who like wearing French cuffs and women looking for gifts – birthday was the most popular. Along with 42 inch necklaces set with cushion cut stones of various colors offered in yellow and pink gold.

Henry Elfering Design sold two important pieces at the show and received a commission for a bespoke man’s ring – which was a theme Henry picked up from the show in conversations with several attendees – that there seems to be a demand by men to have jewelry that is contemporary , thoughtful in its design and finely crafted. From this Henry plans to add a few new items for men to his line by late fall.

Donna Distefano LTD, before establishing her private atelier Donna was the senior goldsmith for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, responsible for creating the museums jewelry reproductions. Today Donna brings the rich traditions of goldsmithing to her timeless pieces such as Harlequin, a 6.25 carat harlequin cut green topaz ring with diamond accents in 22 carat gold or The Color Blue a special order necklace of carved blue sapphire in 117 carats set with 1.90 carats of diamonds suspended from blue sapphire beads – all set in 18 karat gold. These are just some of the pieces that attracted show attendees to the GemLily Booth and even tempted them to try on an item or two.  Donna’s designs can be found at her web site www.donnadistefanoltd.com .

Anna Donahue’s study of sculpture, painting and photography shaped her love of Jewelry design. She studied goldsmithing at the renowned Jewelry Arts institute in New York and much of the inspiration for her work comes from the aquatic life forms she encounters as an underwater photographer, the fluid lines in her pieces are reminiscent of the seascapes she photographs during her dives. Her collection of earrings presented at the GemLily booth had a shape and size that attracted the attention of women at every age and fashion preference. Anna’s design’s will be featured on GemLily.com in the near future.

Un Hada Jewels, by Jocelyn Prestia brought oohs and ahs from booth visitors with her Woodlandia and Secret Forest necklaces.  Each necklace is a one-of-a-kind piece made with a center stone of Dendritic Agate held by 18 karat gold set with brown and white accent diamonds complimented by fancy sapphires surrounding the stone in a whimsical fairy like setting. Following is a link to the Un Hada site to see pictures of these lovely necklaces and other pieces: www.unhada.com/gallery/secret-forest/index.html

And for more information about Dentritic Agate click on the following link: www.gemselect.com/other-info/about-dendritic-agate.php

I’d like to thank all the Baltimore Summer Antiques show visitors who stopped by the GemLily booth – I had fun meeting, chatting, hearing the stories of your favorite jewelry pieces and sharing the back ground of the designers and GemLily’s vision (to preserve and support the art of fine jewelry making by master artisans) with all of you!  If you have any recommendations of designers you come across or feel would be a fit to the GemLily Gallery please drop me a note at susanna@gemlily.com