Jewelry as art in Topeka

By: Steven Zhao
Submitted: 2008-06-25 13:37:57
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Don't overlook the interesting and affordable at local shops

When we think of buying jewelry, especially the fashion variety, we usually think of going to a department store or a boutique-type clothing store where we find the latest trendy item probably made outside of this country. But there are several sources for interesting and affordable jewelry in Topeka that are often overlooked.

Art galleries and shops are wonderful places to find one-of-a- kind jewelry pieces that aren't only made in the United States, but are very likely handmade in Topeka by both well-known or emerging artists.They provide manifold services and all kinds of jewelry such as wholesale costume jewelry,fashion jewelry wholesale,wholesale jewelry,jewelry supply,pearl jewelry,body jewelry etc. Follow galleries and shops can give you what you wanted and also may make you enjoyself.

The Collective Gallery

The Collective Gallery consists of a consortium of artists working in a variety of mediums, including jewelry. Allison Shaefor, daughter of local favorites Bo and Doug Sheafor, of the Albo Glass team, is showing some of the most innovative jewelry. She places small glass beads inside organically shaped blown glass pods, which are hung on chains and leather bands as pendants.

Laura Timmons, of Leawood, weaves fibers and metal wire with gems and beads to make softly textured neck pieces in subtle, elegant colors. Linda Gebert, of Wichita, works in silver, clay, 24-karat gold, gems and cloisonne enamel.

Glass Expressions

Just walking into Glass Expressions is a feast for the eyes, not only for the collection of fine glass home accessories but for the display cases full of jewelry. A consistently popular artist is Eleanore Macnish, a former Topekan now living in Albuquerque, N.M. She makes "happy" jewelry, as she calls it, that incorporates bright, colorful lampwork beads. Her signature bead is a black bead with raised white dots on it. The store can't get enough of her black and white earrings to add to the collections of her followers.

Margie Weidenbaker and the Glass Expressions staff spend a lot of time educating their customers about the processes used in glass bead- making. You can learn more about cased, sparkling glass beads that have glass pigment under clear glass from internationally known Penrose Designs; dichroic glass, a material that manipulates light to simultaneously produce two very different colors; and Kromastones from the technologies of "thin film" physics and vacuum deposition, refracting colors that shift when viewed from different angles. And if you don't care about any of these details, the jewelry is just plain gorgeous.

The Phoenix Gallery

The Phoenix Gallery represents so many jewelry artists that it takes some time to really see all of the selections. Brooches and bracelets by Connie Bentjen incorporate vintage silver spoons that take on the forms of angels; wonderful hand-twisted silver earrings - -- each one different, so mix and match --- by Topekans Stacey and Monique Davis; and refined silver necklaces, rings and bracelets with asymmetrically cut gemstones by Lilly Barrick to wear with contemporary business attire.

And you mustn't overlook the outstanding vintage American Indian silver and turquoise from the collection of gallery owner Kyle Garcia.

Mulvane Art Gallery

The Mulvane Art Gallery, located on the Washburn University campus, is a hidden treasure for jewelry-lovers. You will find charming amulet-type pendants created with the gardener in mind.

Carletha Kosky combines ribbons, beads, and wrapped paper collages of garden scenes. Laura Smith, of Kansas City, makes large, chunky and whimsical heart brooches using beads, buttons and other found objects.

Frankie Parman, the acquisitions chairman for the museum, says that women are wearing brooches almost everywhere except on a lapel - -- on handbags, belts and skirt pockets. The museum's business is especially successful during the holiday season.

So think outside the box when considering gifts for someone special or adding to your own unique jewelry collection. Topeka has it all.

David ZHENG is the CEO of http://www.wotrace.com . A company specialized in selling all kinds of jewelry such as wholesale costume jewelry,fashion jewelry wholesale,wholesale jewelry,jewelry supply,pearl jewelry, body jewelry etc.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Jewelry category

  • Sources for Wholesalers & Wholesale Jewelry Is Growing - By: Joel Mclaughlin
    Through the internet's growth and increased production of high quality wholesale jewelry, the internet is growing at a fast pace with new jewelry wholesalers online. The number of new sources over the past 3 years has seen a durastic increase, which is great news for customers looking to find a wholesaler to meet their jewelry needs!
  • How To Choose A Perfect Jewellery Gift - By: Imran Ali
    Everybody loves to receive jewellery as a gift. Many people are therefore found looking around for unique and interesting gift ideas in this category. Giving away diamond and pearl rings and earrings as gifts is a long established tradition especially on weddings.
  • The Popular form of Body Jewellery - By: Imran Ali
    Body jewellery has become one of the latest fashions in all parts of the world, especially amongst the younger generation. But body jewellery was initially found in much expensive forms of materials and gems, now it can be bought in cheaper materials to fit everyone's budget. Since youngsters do not have much money to buy expensive jewellery, there is cheap jewellery is available for them made of many different materials like plastic, glass, titanium, ivory and stainless steel.
  • Birthstones - By: Jo-Ann Keith
    Gemstones are associated with particular months of the year, a specific gem for each month.
  • The Diamond Anniversary Ring: A Milestone, An Anniversary and A Promise - By: Jill Renee
    An anniversary ring can be a romantic way to celebrate a milestone in your marriage. What better way to say you wish to spend the rest of your life with you wife.
  • Gemstone Purchase Online - By: Chris Colombus
    I have heard that many people have had bad gemstone purchasing experiences, and some, in my opinion, were awful. The common themes in their interactions include:
  • Amazes of Amethyst - By: Chris Colombus
    Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz occurring in hues ranging from a light pinkish violet to a deep grape purple. The most sought after color is the deep violet exhibiting flashes of red. This variety is termed as the "Siberian" though it is got from places other than Siberia. Most material from Brazil occurs in a tender violet, while that coming from Madagascar are generally red or violet. Uruguay has the most exquisitely deep colored amethysts but the supplies have almost tarnished.
  • Online diamond shopping- how safe? - By: Chris Colombus
    Online diamond shopping is arbitrarily believed to be a peril though; it eventually, as matter of fact can be a congenial experience to buy shimmering, opulent diamonds at the best of prices.
  • Difference the CUT makes to a Diamond over SHAPE - By: Chris Colombus
    With regards to diamond, the terms "shape" and "cut" are often puzzled. To most people cut is the same as shape. But cut is a different and very import term of diamonds. People may not realize though, there actually exists a major difference in the cut and shape of a diamond. Since cut forms one of the four C's of diamonds that customers are made acquainted with, it is important to establish this difference of cut and shape.
  • Evaluate Your Pearl - By: Chris Colombus
    Pearls, the ever glowing beauties, are organic gems and so no two pearls can be alike, just like humans. Also it is difficult to find quality natural pearls of immense perfection. For use in pearl jewelry there are certain factors that fall under scrutiny. Though there are no standardized systems of grading pearls industry wide, their value is determined by a combination of certain characteristics which can be attributed to the quality of the pearl.