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.