This month's featured artist: Ayala Bar

In honor of our month long trunk show in September of Israeli jewelry artist Ayala Bar, I thought I'd provide a bit of background on her work.

For those who have seen her colorful and eclectic style the description, " Art Deco meets Middle East" will seem quite apt. Her limited edition collections use simple metals, glass beads, mineral stones and crystal rhinestones to translate her creative perceptions. One can view the influences of ancient mosaics as well as modern fashion design in her creations. She worked for over a decade in costume and interior design prior to starting her own company in 1990.

Ms. Bar likes to state that as a mature designer,she is cognizant of the trends in the fashion world, but always true to her own inner vision. Her inspiration: a rose-tinted flower peeking out of a crack in a pavement... a glint of sunlight on a rusty can... a pebble marking gentle waves in a rain shower's puddle... wherever Ayala Bar goes,her surroundings inspire her. For this creative artist, the universe is indeed in the details. Insights and ideas are collected from sights and sites that to the average person seem mundane.

Come enjoy the visual delights of this very talented international jewelry artist. In all three stores for the month of September.

New shipments in from designer Erica Zapp. "Form, Shape, and Beauty," are her watchwords. She's someone who has always been surrounded by art and craft, her parents owned an international craft and art from around the world. She studied metal smithing at SUNY New Palz in NY, and has been designing jewelry and selling it for quite a few years. Erica Zapp consistently integrates a very sleek contemporary look with an emphasis on acessable beauy. She uses Rhodium and gold plating over brass and copper to create a wide array of color and texture. She has integrated traditional stone and pearl elements with her contemporary forms creating appealling new versions of her look. Come in today to view some of her newest designs.