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.