Beautiful Stranger

 Beautiful Stranger shoot, in the middle of November making it feel like a warm Moroccan street, the light was beyond gray and still somehow....

"Pavonneggiarsi" cultured pearl, peacock feathers, buckskin and taffeta flower
Cascate di Bottoni(underneath) 

Little Boy Blue-American amethyst faceted glass bezel set circa 1950's, handmade English watch chain circa 1920's, French hand painted bronze button circa 1750's, citrine, garnet, and cameo at nape of neck salvaged from a fire England circa 1940   

Fauna e Flora-carved bone pendant France circa 1920's, hung by gold fob England circa 1930, Gold fill chains, 10k bird charm at nape of neck circa 1960 America,  rose quartz, smokey quartz, citrine and pyrite.

Trunk Show at Arcadia

Arcadia opens second location in Rittenhouse!! 265 S 20th st.
Friday November 19th
5-9 pm
catered by Sapori 

 Grand Opening with yours truly bringing watchband bracelets, necklaces, neckwarmers, ponchos and custom clothes.  It should be a lot of fun, Tis the season for giving and I'll be there to offer truly unique one of a kind pieces with beautifully handmade vintage linen gift bags for you to do so and feel assured that you have the perfect gift.

Tartufi

It's fall and the boars are snuffing out the most precious food that exists, at $2,000.00 per pound the white truffle is the queen bee of delicacies, it's  brother the black truffle is  about $400.00 per pound. Some might say that it is a ridiculous price to pay, others like myself and my husband do spend on food and travel like few others. So on this crisp autumn day on the phone came a call, "I have something for you, you're going to love it!" The familiar voice of my beautiful husband who brought me one of each to play with.
The truffles' pungent woody aroma is it's trademark together with its'  deep mushroom flavor and earthy meatiness there is little that needs to be done to enjoy it. I would fry a quail egg and put a sliver on top a small drizzle of supremely first cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Or maybe tonight a handmade linguini with the same olive oil, shaved Grana Padana crushed pink peppercorns and grated white truffle throughout.  The jewelry tools and sewing needles down...Apron on. A dopo!

Beauty in the eye of the beholder

The Atelier is brimming with finds from across the globe from Spain to Edinburgh, from Sicily to Upstate New York,  I can't seem to work enough I could spend each waking moment lost blissfully in creating. It's not always this frutiful in my travels however this time it has been. So, between trofie and polipetti, panelle and ricotta sandwiches, before the little tribe I've created comes rushing in I'm lost in my own epic drama. It is a drama spanning the flappers of the 1920's in America, ladies of the 1940's that Tangoed in Spain and the dapper businessmen walking Princes St. in Edinburgh of the 1940's.

Reflections and facets- sterling silver mother of pearl watch fob England circa 1950, Sardinian fertility bell of faceted quartz, sterling wreath pendant with rhinestone, circa 1950, sterling handmade chain antique never owned  labradorite, beer quartz and pyrite, bicolor chains, both sterling and 14k gold, and 24k gold plated silver, mother of pearl button detail.
$400

Il tempo si sfiora- 10k yellow and white gold and diamond non functioning watch circa 1940's , 10k gold childs' ring antique never owned, ivory rose earring converted pendant 14k gold backing circa 1930's America,  handmade gold plated chain,  rose quartz, ametrine, beer quartz, pyrite.   Convertible chain doubled short using 14k sister hook or long $440 

Illuminations

Tunic, skirt, neckwarmer all Artemisia price upon request, available online at Artemisia.

Like a mantra, I repeat are we consumed by the new, the latest, the most fashionable? What about our own sense of individuality, a departure from what we are told to like by the media and a decision to embrace an inner fashion guru?


Millefiore, sterling silver covered with 24k gold vermeil, green amethyst, 10k gold child's ring, faceted bell quartz. Available at Primadonna

Equally, is it not unique and beautiful to possess what is limited in number and handmade using materials that are post consumer and jewelry with provenance, and history?
And is it not refreshing to embrace age and figure change by illuminating it's beauty?

crocheted neck warmer, ruffled neck warmer. Available at Primadonna and Arcadia.

fermaglio hair clip

Photos: Denise Guerin, hair Sandy Vasallo, make up Ally

Fall has arrived!

Bussola-Citrine, swarovski red bezel set crystals, 24k gold vermeil over sterling silver, Opera enameled plaque circa 1950, Paris, faceted pyrite, 1940's non functioning compass flanked by two pistols. 

School has begun and the leaves are beginning to cascade from the trees, summer has begun to take it's leave. The first crisp mornings of fall with it's dew ladened blades of grass and earlier sunrise wake me from my lazy summer slumber. I've been collecting, treasurehunting these last few months and in the next few short weeks new photos, new collections will appear here online and in stores, it will have been worth the wait, the new pieces are rich and oppulent embellishments for the body steeped in historical context drawn from the very corners of the world, the small island of Lampedusa near Africa, Sicily,  Edinburgh, Scotland and the border towns between America and Canada.
As of September 23rd the new fall collection will be available at Arcadia in Northern Liberties and Yogawood in Collingswood. More to come in October at Pipsqueak in Haddonfield and Primadonna in Voorhees. Soon the blog will be equipped with paypal as well so you can order Artemisia right from home, and the latest photoshoot happens next week so keep posted!!
It's great to be back in the studio again.

Triangolo poncho in mohair lined with vintage linen and Fiore neck warmer with large grey floral embellishment both available at Arcadia in Northern Liberties

Triangolo

Magna', Magna'

Tenerumi, a zucchinesque vegetable but much longer, think the length of my three year old, and these are the tender leaves that you eat along with the zucchine. Usually made into a soup I prefer them slightly steamed and then dressed with a little raw garlic and olive oil, a fresh anchovy smashed and stirred in is good as well.

"Babbalucieddi" in Sicilian or mountain snails are found stuck literally to barren branches in the arid countryside, for us it was in Lampedusa that we found these. They are laid in breadcrumbs for a period, rinsed and then brought to a slow boil on a small flame for a while until they come out of their shells. Once cooked they're dressed in sauteed garlic, olive oil and parseley.mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Treasurehunt

It was a long ride, 8 hrs, but finally my favorite east coast antiquing area, upstate New York. The linens abound and odd trinkets here and there rife with gold and fine silver jewelry. It's not too say that these things can only be found upstate but around here the antiques are all picked over, there no one seems to be interested in what I'm interested in. My two favorites proved to be worth the wait, I found amazingly embroidered linens and some gorgeous filigree in silver and gold and bone. I've already made some asymetrical sundresses for next spring.

 Next stop Palermo, Italy.

Arrivederci!

It's that time of year again la bella Italia awaits me and mine. The other half of me calls from across the ocean blue for inspiration, scents, tastes, clear blue waters, endless blue sky and treasures in each and every mercatino I find. This rosemary perfumed air, cobbled streets and linens flapping along clotheslines filling every balcony and terrace that have been for centuries inform my collections subconsciously. I wait all year each year to return to the other land from whence I came, meta' e meta'. There is no greater muse, no place more restorative. Addio, until I return with hand crocheted neck warmers, fabrics and heirloom jewels, I leave you with a view.

And why Artemisia?

Judith and Abra await before fleeing the scene of Holofones murder this painting by Artemisia Gentileschi was one of the reasons I borrowed her name. Her use of light and intensity of emotion in this period when only men like Caravaggio had been able to so eloquently move paint this way is stunning. The hurdles she had to jump to be given the opportunity to paint simply because she was a woman make her tenacity as a painter admirable.

Meta' e Meta'

photos: Denise Guerin

It started as a mono print on rice paper for my bachelor's degree show in Rome. Entitled simply "Meta' e Meta'"  (half and half) an egg shape drawn as a cage encircled at the tip by a rough hewn oval. Now, almost 10 years later my struggle between the Italian and the Polish American in me has evolved into a t-shirt collection. Available at Pipsqueak for all. T's tissue weight 100% organic cotton, hand screened no two a like, the common thread in my work, colors brown, mulberry and ocean.

Artemisia Styles For Red Carpet Event

I Really Like New Jersey's Sara O'Brien at her last fitting before Sunday's walk down the red carpet at the  New Jersey's Hall of Fame this year inducting the likes of Jack Nicholson, Danny Devito, Susan Sarandon, Michael Graves (Alessi) and more. The task at hand "Dressy business attire" as requested by the invitation. The other task use the I really like New Jersy t-shirt!

Corseted t-shirt cut into a shoulder baring tank embellished with silk charmeuse and sand washed silk flowers accented by a complementing corsage bracelet that can also be worn as a choker.

This paired with a 1940's style duchess satin high waisted cigarette pant with slit detail at ankle length finished with patent leather and snake skin t-strap black stilettos. Hair done up with black enamel chopsticks.

Styled and ready to go!!

All photos courtesy of Denise Guerin.

Fatine del bosco

My little forest fairy tanks are ready and lined up at Pipsqueak, in grey with pink, and white on white. More to come for Mom, just in time for Mother's Day!! Call Danielle she'll put one aside, only 2 available in each size and color only two in the world, ever! All made from 100% cotton and using recycled Italian linen and cotton for the embellishments.  Hurry, Hurry or they'll all be gone. Sizes start at 6/12 months and go up to 8 yrs.

Photos: Denise Guerin Images

Andromeda Spring

Like a little Grecian Goddess elegantly she's poised, "Carolina" the latest addition to this Spring.
Private commission.

And more...

Bussola

Antique non functioning compass with pistol detail, enameled french plaque, cut crystal bezel set red glass, 18k gold plated chains, ctrine and pyrite, long.

Sacre Coeur

Gruen ladies watch circa 1940, french enameled plaque, men's fob circa 1950 England, cushion cut coin citrine and black pyrite. This necklace is two in one the lariat piece with attached watch is removable and doubled chain can be worn in a single long strand.

Foglia II

24k gold leafed leaf, optically faceted smokey quartz, pyrite, labradorite. 18k gold plated chains, handmade  hain, 3 tiers and extendable.

Gocce

Labradorite, freshwater pearl, bezel set mother of pearl, and green amethyst drops, chalcedony drop, sterling silver handmade and repurposed chain.

Sei il mio cuore

English 1950's handbuilt marked functioning locket, iolite, sterling ring handmade and repurposed sterling chain.

Watchband bracelets

repurposed antique expandable watchbands with various semi precious stones above quartz, pyrite and quartz geod.

The next new accessory: the Yoga bag

Making yoga bags was never what I set out to do but should I make one for myself or buy one, seemed a rhetroical question. Seems others want one too so if you're interested you can contact me directly or go see Beth at Yogawood they're $85 and up depending on the fabric each is individual no two alike and are made from vintage remnants as is this tapestry one shown above. Namaste yoginis.

Artemisia Spring Jewels

It's that time, The collection of well perserved antiques have been repurposed and altered to create this new collection. The focus is on dimension, and clarity. Colors are neutral and big beautiful gems abound.

The Edwardian mens' fob watches, chains and seals have always drawn my fancy this season proves more of that.

Artemisia and her muse

Me photographed decked out in Artemisia fall 2010 and standing with my muse, shouldn't we all have one? Her sense of style inspires my collections as well as most rececently re visited movies the Matrix, the Island and the Golden Compass

Arcadia in Northern Liberties, Yogawood in Collingswood

In the bustling neighborhood of Northern Liberties lies a gem of a shop who's mission reads like my dream come true of a stockist, an owner with a tinge of wanderlust an eye for amazing artists and a real concern for the impact on our environment our consumerism has. The shop is Arcadia and the women who own and run the shop are real and the shop is packed with treasures new and old, art and clothing and jewelry and get this they actually boast a environmentally conscious travel agent on premises to organize trips for the ecologically minded traveller!

Currently they stock mostly jewelry and a few neck warmers...get there for Valentine's Day men! Check back after Sale season for more.

In our hometown of Collingswood, Yogawood has also started carrying the clothing collection for Spring, the wrap and the flower embellished shirts are there and more to come, Artemisia yoga bags are on their way as well. This collection lends itself to being at Yogawood, great layering pieces that can go from a yoga studio onto the street, ask for Beth she'll show you what's available or just go upstairs to their shop where Artemisia is featured on the wall as you walk up!! Currently available are these shirts featured at the right one long sleeve and one short as well as a new dusty pink wrap with inverted grey stitching at the seams. Yoga bags soon!!