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Posted on December 31, 2008 by deeperShopping | Posted under Jewelry
Barbara Garwood Designs - Faberge Style Jewelry
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Barbara's pieces are influenced by the traditional hand wired filigree work that originated in Chinese Mongolia. This is the same process that Faberge used to create his famous Faberge Eggs for Russian Royalty and Czarinas. What makes the pieces stunning, is the unique fusion of traditional 17th century Mongolian artistry with today's western tastes. The result? Impeccible Jewelry that is simply stunning. From bold to demure, her pieces seem to fit in every occasion. The process of constructing the jewelry is time consuming. Barbara starts with the design work, looking at current and upcoming trends, as well as paying homage to timeless classics. She then designs the piece and commissions the manufacturing. Barbara retains a group of 60 artisans in Chinese Mongolia who work strictly on her designs. The artisans begin the manufacturing process by hand wiring the pieces in Sterling Silver. They are then kiln fired to set. Most pieces typically take a week to hand wire. At the next stage, dedicated enamelling artisans accent the designs with hand painted enamell work. The pieces are then kiln fired a second time at a slightly lower temperature, so as not to damage the silver. This is a delicate process and if the temperature is not perfect, disaster make strike! Once the second firing is complete, the pieces are then hand set with semi precious stones including Amethyst, Garnets, Topaz, Serpentine and many other beautiful stones. Finally if the piece is a pendant, it is hung on a chain, a strand of pearls, or on artisan crafted beads. You might think with all this hand done work that Barbara's pieces are expensive, but actually they are extremely affordable. National Geographic Magazine has ranked the pieces as important artisan heritage class designs - and they are also available at the Smithsonian Museum store. Barbara's work has also been featured on television including QVC in the United Kingdom. At deeperShopping, a Christian Bookstore, we were so moved by the intricate artistry and the dedication of the artist that we decided to bring the line on board, and offer it at a discounted price - to help provide support for the people of Mongolia. Barbara has shared with us that when the current artisans pass on, the craft will also pass. It is already becoming increasingly difficult to manufacture the pieces as younger villagers seek the dazzle and riches of China's big cities. Within 10 years it is expected that production of these pieces will stop. About The Author: Christian Bookstore deepershopping.com is pleased to review and the beautiful work of Barbara Garwood. For more information on Barbara including photos and a biography, visit her website at www.importfolio.com |
Tags: FABERGE, QING DYNASTY, MONGOLIAN JEWELRY, DEEPERSHOPPING.COM, IMPORTFOLIO, BARBARA GARWOOD
