JKAT Designs

Pictures of our jewelry, the process involved and the things that inspire us.

[jkat-blog]

This really revs my engine. Enjoy.

Oh, and make art.

[ruineshumaines]

Scottish sculptor Rob Mulholland creates these eerie mirrored sculptures out of Perspex, a kind of acrylic glass. The pieces create the uncanny effect of blending into their surroundings, at times appearing almost completely camouflaged and yet jumping out at you suddenly as your perspective shifts around them. Mulholland’s largest installation of six figures, Vestige, is currently installed at David Marshall Lodge in Scotland. The artist, via his website:

The essence of who we are as individuals in relationship to others and our given environment forms a strong aspect of my artistic practise. In Vestige I wanted to explore this relationship further by creating a group, a community within the protective elements of the woods, reflecting the past inhabitants of the space. […] The six male and female figures represent a vestige, a faint trace of the past people and communities that once occupied and lived in this space. The figures absorb their environment, reflecting in their surface the daily changes of life in the forest. They create a visual notion of non – space. A void as if they are at one moment part of our world and then as they fade into the forest they become an intangible outline.

Mulholland will be exhibiting at the 8th Godington House Sculpture exhibition in July of 2012, and you can see much more of his work on his website.

[jkat-blog]

The moment I laid eyes on this, I instantly felt connected. It's like a visual representation of how I feel when I am immersed in nature, how I become part of the landscape and how I am just as natural as a twig on the ground, or a boulder on the edge of a creek. That, and it also kind of creeps me out...like these are alien beings that exist on another plane, but their silhouettes are somehow still visible. Can you imagine coming upon one of these during a hike in the middle of nowhere?! Cuh-reepy! lol!

[jkat-blog]

Artist Crush ~ Sirin Thada

If you know me, you know that I like me some snarkiness. I consider humor to be a great equalizer. When you're laughing, education, social rank or your bank account don't matter. And as we all know, those things don't dictate who can enjoy good art either. So, what better combo than snarky humor and art? They're two great tastes that go great together and that's why Sirin Thada is my artist crush this week. Her drawings and paintings speak to me. Sometimes I wonder how she popped her creations out of my head and onto her drawing board.

I love the feeling of her images. Take a gander at some of my faves:

This next one reminds me of those old school grammar school flash cards with a sort of vintage-y feel and the message cracks me up.

Who hasn't done this at one moment or another:

Hope you enjoy Sirin's art as much as I do. And if you don't get my sense of humor...well, we most likely won't be hanging out anytime soon. S'sorry.

[portkeytoinsanity]

The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin

I stumbled across this while looking for a book for my cousin’s new baby. I was so intrigued by the whole idea. On each left page there was words written in braille and then again in white text. It was the description of colors, according to how a blind child would experience. On the right there were raised etchings of what each page was describing. It’s so beautiful. One page in particular that really caught my attention was the one describing the color red. It talked about how red is how it feels to bite into a ripe strawberry, or the stinging on your knee after you fall down.  Blue was the feeling of sunshine on your face. 

It’s just so astounding that someone managed this, as the idea of how to describe a color to someone who has no reference has always fascinated and baffled me.

Picture source here

Available to purchase here

[jkat-blog]

This is, without a doubt, one of the most gorgeous actualized concepts I've ever come across. I want one.

[jkat-blog]

Hello, my JKAT Lovies!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and we're having a spectacular sale on select sterling silver pieces to celebrate! There are some one of a kinds, and some classic JKAT pieces that rarely go on sale too...like our sterling silver Sweet Heart Earrings. Regular price: $110 SALE price: $70!

With savings up to 50% off on select items, you can't go wrong. Pick something up for yourself or your sweetie! All sale items are in stock & ready to ship out. Orders over $50 ship for FREE via Priority Mail and should arrive within 2-3 days at your doorstep, just in time for Valentine's Day!

Sale ends on February 14th, 2012.

Hurry! Items are selling out fast, don't miss out!

SHOP THE JKAT DEEP VALENTINE'S DAY SALE NOW! or go to www.jkatjewelry.com and click on the JKAT TRUNK SALE tab.

[jkat-blog]

Artist Crush ~ Jason deCaires Taylor

Sculpture, water, fish, reefs & time...all the ingredients for an artist that makes me swoon!

Jason deCaires Taylor is more than just a sculptor, he is a true humanitarian. He creates permanent installations that live underwater and encourage the rehabilitation of the waters they inhabit. He sculpts life size people of all walks of life, from nuns to children, from ecologically sound materials that actively promote coral growth. Then, these forms are strategically placed under the water's surface to live out their lives as the basis for other life forms to adhere to. The results are astoundingly beautiful and dream like. Unmovable human monoliths standing static in flowing waters while growing algae and coral cling to them, transforming their human traits into nurturing environments for creatures often considered less than, when in reality, they are imperative cogs in the wheels of our own well-being. Taylor is a well tuned instrumental part of our collective health here on earth and I only wish that I'd thought of this!

Enjoy these pictures & learn more about this phenomenal artist and his collections on his site, underwatersculpture.com.

xo~

jkat

[spatula]

levi van veluw automata 2011 (by levivanveluw)

[jkat-blog]

There is something so odd and mysterious about this piece that really speaks to me. It serves no purpose other than to promote thought. It is a cool looking wood sculpture when all closed up, but with the opening of each panel, we get a better view of a human figure seated in the center, comprised of cubes and deep in thought, while all around it are rotating cubes suspended from bars. All of the panels are smooth wood grain on the exterior, but have cubes engraved on the interior of them. It's a nice juxtaposition of the organic nature of human thought against the geometric coldness of cubes. The rich wood grain lends itself to the natural feel while the whirr of the motor keeps the viewer on edge.

I think the squareness of the piece is what sold me. JKAT's Square 47 line was the first line I sculpted. I wasn't sure what I should sculpt, so I decided to start at Square One, as they say, and make the Large Square piece. (I named it Square 47 because silver occupies the 47th square on the Periodic Table of Elements.) To me, squares are not just comprised of four right angles. They represent a solidity of life, yes...but, they also carry connotations of the basic elements of life. The four directions, North, South, East and West. The four elements, Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. The four seasons, Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. All of these concepts have opposition contained within them, yet there's a softness, a flow and a forgiving nature found in them as well. They all rely on the number four and I feel that translates into squares and cubes. They're not curved and round like circles or spheres. Squares and cubes inherently encapsulate key elements of life and don't deny the sharp corners that come along with it. In fact, they embrace them...and use them for stability. A lesson that we all need to learn, hopefully in this lifetime.

I guess that's why this piece speaks to me. 

~jkat

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[jkat-blog]

Absolutely gorgeous. Art Nouveau makes the world look so sensual. Alphonse Mucha was the master...and the fact that he designed this interior for jewelry George Fouquet thrills me to no end.

via sweetsurrender68:

This Art Nouveau interior was designed by Alphons Mucha in 1900 for the Parisian jeweler, Georges Fouquet. The interior has been reconstructed in the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris to preserve its beauty and artistic importance.

[pipeschapman-deactivated2025041]

[jkat-blog]

This was my motto this year.

[jkat-blog]

Word for the Day: Autodidact

Autodidact: noun. A self-taught person.

Today I figured out that I am an autodidact. I had the help of another autodidact in deducing this. Many years ago, I was rummaging around in a garage sale and came across two unusual framed black and white prints. They were distorted images of nude women and they were intriguing...albeit somewhat disconcerting, but that's exactly what drew me to them. Ten bucks for the two of them & they were mine. I've had them on the walls of all the various places I've lived since then, never knowing the history of the photos. Then, this last October, I was looking through a book of André Kertész' photography with my niece who was working on a school assignment. As she flipped through the pages, I saw a version of one of my distorted nudes flash by. Turns out, my garage sale score wasn't of some random person's twisted vision, the images were created by one of the one of the world's most renowned photojournalists, André Kertész.

Here is my print of Kertész' model found in his photo Distortion #40 that I discovered in my niece's book:

Well, I finally got around to researching this discovery and I found that André Kertész was a self taught photographer...an autodidact. And it seems to me that his lack of training allowed him to work outside of the normal parameters and subject matter that most photographers of his day stuck to. He explored odd camera angles and distorted his images. His work went on to grace the pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Town and Country, he had numerous showings in well known galleries, garnered numerous awards and honors, and is revered as a trailblazer in his field. His history is inspiring to me. You can read more about him here.

I love this little secret that I unveiled. It fills me with such joy to see how people who innately desire something so much that they take it upon themselves to become proficient at it, nay...excel at it, and are able to truly fulfill their life's potential. I am proud to be an autodidact because it allows me to consider myself similar in one respect to other autodidacts and incredible artists/innovators such as: Leonardo da Vinci, William Blake, George Bernard Shaw, Steven Spielberg, Orson Welles, David Bowie, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Joseph Campbell, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Alva Edison, and, yes...André Kertész. ~jkat

[airows]

[jkat-blog]

Word.

[sarahmagdalena-blog]

[jkat-blog]

This mix of minerals and stones looks like a piece of sushi to me. Where's the ginger & wasabi?? ~jkat

via sarahmagdalena:

Juicy mix of Sphalerite, Calcite and Marcasite.

[nic-rad]

[jkat-blog]

OK, so like this isn't the coolest thing ever. It's a ball that's a camera that shoots panoramic shots all over. You have to check out the video link below to fully appreciate. I. want. one. stat! ~jkat

via nic-rad:

Throwable panoramic ball camera by Jonas Pfeil

click through, watch the video, you won’t regret it

[jkat-blog]

JKAT Recycle Necklace

As an artist, I know that there are no new ideas. Everything is a take on something that came before it. The trick to good art is to take an idea and make it your own. That's the only way to make something genuine. While making this pendant, I ruminated on the story of the Phoenix...how it went through the cycles of life and after burning up, it arose from its ashes to live again. I wanted to create a piece to remind the wearer that you cannot have a beginning without an end and vice versa. Now, I do recognize that this symbol represents recycling material things but to me, it means so much more.

Recycle Pendant on black cotton cord Pendant measures approximately 1 inch in diameter. Silvered Bronze. Cord is adjustable from 16 inches up to 30 inches. Cost: $68.00 (+ $5.00 shipping/handling)

[jkat-blog]

JKAT Trunk Show at Spare Parts in Chicago!

What's this, you ask? Well, I'll be bringing some JKAT loot to Spare Parts for the day. Why come? Because your loved ones deserve gifts that are unique and meaningful...and different than the mass produced stuff that the big box stores sell to everyone & their mother! Come to Spare Parts and find great bags, hats, killer jewelry (ahem...), and lots of other great gift choices.

when: this SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 from 1-6pm where: 2947 N. Broadway Ave. Chicago, IL 60657 what: JKAT Silvered Bronze collection and fun holiday shopping in a cool shop...so cool that they won TimeOut Chicago's 2011 Shopping Awards for best fashion accessories!!

So, this Saturday, don't just sit on the computer shopping for your holiday gifts...get in the spirit and hit up the local boutiques in your area for something special for those special people in your life! And if you're in the Lakeview area, stop by Spare Parts & say hello!! xo~ jkat

[jkat-blog]

Sunshine Necklace on Cotton Cord

What do you see in this design? The most exotic answer I've gotten and quite possibly my favorite, was a slice of lotus fruit. I had never heard of lotus fruit, but it’s true! Our Sun looks like a slice of lotus fruit, not the exterior (which is cool looking too), but a slice of it. I’ve also heard the design described as a peace sign, spider web, bike wheel, and slice of citrus…I often wonder if I subconsciously made it look like that (I am  a California girl after all).

Sunshine Pendant on black cotton cord. Pendant measures 1 inch in diameter. Silvered Bronze. Cord is adjustable from 16 inches up to 30 inches. Cost: $42.00 (+$5.00 shipping/handling)

[cosascool]

[jkat-blog]

Artist Crush of the Week~

I absolutely love inked pointillism and this post shows in such detail what it takes to do a great job. Miguel Endara kills it in this project. The drawing is great, but the video is what makes Miguel my Artist Crush of the week. It is a must watch. Such patience and attention to detail. LOVE IT! ~jkat

via: designcloud:

Starting with a goofy portrait of his father’s photocopied face artist Miquel Endara embarked on an ambitious stipple drawing, using 3.2 million dots from assorted Micron pens to recreate the image on paper. Watch the wonderfully shot video condensing 210 hours of drawing to see how he did it and also check out his website where he has a zoomable high-res version of the image.

Video