A new talisman

A talisman to begin a cycle under the spell of the sea,  of what is hidden and what is revealed.

Power and fluidity. Softness and durability. The breath of a seahorse.

I sigh at the thought of what this talisman will keep and how it will look under the moonlight

Mistery.

Here is the first talisman

Clams and Donkeys

Talking about his way of painting, Hundertwasser explained how sometimes his paintings resembled donkeys: it was impossible to show them the way because they would stubbornly go as they pleased until they reached an unknown destination. The only thing you could do was to watch them flow.

That's what happened with this ring. It obstinately followed a mysterious and unknown path, that I, stubborn as well, tried to redirect according to my drawings and models.

In my initial design the beautiful chalcedony would rest inside a conic structure representing a clam, which in turn would be attached to thin metal layers that symbolize time, tides and how to resist firmly the power of the waves.

But once created in metal, the Clam wanted to attach itself to a different form, it wouldn't let me follow my plans, it forced me to make more models, more drawings, to leave it abandoned on a table, to even think about discarding it.

There's no longer night than that of a designer who's in love with a form but can't quite understand it.

Without much time left, I surrendered to an inexplicable force that whispered: file here, hammer there, the little spheres should be welded over there.

And when I finished, I looked at the Clam on its wavelike pedestal and I was very excited, profoundly surprised.

Clam Ring - Blue Chalcedony and sterling silver

Behind the courtains

Some days ago Jessica, a student of Social Communications at the Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar, asked me if she could film me for a class project. The task was to make a short video of an artist or artisan doing her job. I made a Leaf Ring for her video and this is the result:

 Video by Jessica Majul

Thanks Jessica, It was a pleasure working with you.

It's this: Metamorphosis

Magnificent. In one of the streams that run through Minca I had the chance to watch the metamorphosis of a frog. Different groups of eggs where at various stages of development in several spots of the stream: from little black dots, to small commas with tiny tails moving inside the eggs, to complete tadpoles swimming free in search of deeper water.

What's this?

What's this?

I'll give you a clue: It's something full of life, about to transform itself.

If you know the answer write it on the comments section. To know what it is come back on Saturday when I'll be uncovering the mystery.

Treasures of the Caribbean Part II

After some days of mountain in Minca it was time to go down the Sierra to visit the beautiful beaches of Palomino.

The vegetation of the lush Sierra extends up to the beaches, the wind is strong and fishermen struggle every day against the wild waves to take their boats out to the sea.

The mist constantly moisturizes this jungle paradise.

From the Sierra numerous rivers flow into the sea and along the Palomino region there are many  river mouths where it is a pleasure to be swayed by the soft and sweet current of the river to jump afterwards into the spirited waves of the sea.

Behind those mountains in the photo are the snow-capped peaks which unfortunately would not be disclosed to our view.

Palomino is a very beautiful place. Still wild despite being increasingly present in the radar of many foreign and national travellers.

In front of the beach was La Sirena, the fabulous hostel where we stayed. We slept in hammocks under a thatched roof of woven palm and every morning a puppy would wake us up to go and play on the beach.

During the day we walked to the mouth of a river and then we took long naps on the beach.

In the evenings a little rum and all the constellations up in the sky.

I loved this vacation because of the company, the new friends we made and their diverse ways of living, the beauty of Nature and above all because from time to time I need to go back to basics: T-shirts and a toothbrush, water, fish, sleeping outdoors, not looking in the mirror, feeling the discomfort and re-adapting to become free again from too much urban comfort.

Photos by Pablo Abitbol.

Click here for Part I of Treasures of the Caribbean: climbing up the mountain.

Treasures of the Caribbean Part I

Once again beaches. It seams as if my life was all about fun and travel during the past months. And, so it is to a certain extent but that did not stop my brain and my heart from processing information, ideas, possibilities; all focused on further steps in the project that is LIRIO.

These days you will find me every morning greatly enjoying my yoga practice before I head to the library to hunt for information and in the afternoon organizing my ideas. Generally though, loosing my mind over the magnitude of the task ahead: to design, alloy and hammer a corporate personalty for myself.

I still need some time to materialize such a plan and be able to jump into the void with homemade wings.

So, while it's time to announce something interesting, let me show you two treasures of the Caribbean I discovered during my vacation.

In Colombia theres a place where the mountains of eternal snow peaks extend and softly fade until they touch the Caribbean Sea. It's the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

30 minutes away from the seashore, up the Sierra, is Minca and there, Oscar's Hostel,  hidden in mountains of a thousand shades of green, with Santa Marta and the sea to it's feet.

Through these woods of bamboo and towering trees a group of howling monkeys passed early in the mornings in search of breakfast. Sometimes they came up to the tops of the trees to take the first rays of sun.

Several streams and springs run through this area which a decade ago was devastated by livestock. With his green hands Oscar has patiently brought it back to life. Soon this place will become a natural reserve. Oscar and Sandra, his wife, are wonderful.

And so, hiking wild trails, listening to friends making music and relaxing during warm scented nights I fell in love with Minca and the beautiful lives our dear hosts live.

In part II: descending from the mountain to touch the sea.

A new life

This is what I see everyday if I wake up when the sun is rising

At the back buildings at El Cabrero and the lagoon shining. Front old town's façades glowing lilac with the morning light and far away the sea, hiding behind an early mist.

And how did I end up living here, in Cartagena de Indias? As it always happens when I wish something. By whispering a phrase to the wind, very close to my beloved's ear.

After the four years we spent in an idyllic German small town moving back to Bogotá proved to be too noisy, cold and perturbing. We wanted to feel the sun and be neighbors to the ocean so we risk it all once again, packed and jumped into the Caribbean adventure.

A lady from Getsemaní neighborhood enjoys the "fresco"

It was hard for me to leave the beautiful studio I shared with a dear friend and realize that I would have to start building my life again, for the hundredth time, well, the seventh time. To expect the loneliness of one who's new to a town and has no friends. To leave behind my clients and the beloved  downtown jeweler's neighborhood where everybody knows each other.

The streets of Getsemaní

Now I live in this beautiful city, The Heroic, amidst day-to-day warriors, travelers and exiles from other parts of the country; I live between the old town's legends and the harsh present.

Castillogrande

And I have to say that this life is delicious but far from easy. The incredible heat and the sea present uncalculable challenges for someone who's not born in this ardent region. It takes a lot of energy and fruit juices to perform any task. But...

Photo by Pablo Abitbol

There's the breathtaking beach, recharging and alleviating you, still providing plenty of protein

and those magnificent sunsets followed by breezy nights

Yes, I like this new life and it excites me to plan LIRIO's future. By the way, I have already begun to work. Soon you will see.

Drop

Some days ago Nicolás came to my studio because he wanted an engagement ring for his girlfriend.
We talked about what he had in mind and draw some options. We let the ideas rest for a couple of days until he decided on this design:

After agreeing on the form we set out to pick the stone for the ring. It's very exciting to find the perfect stone; there's something about the brightness and color of a stone that makes you want it. It doesn't have to be the heaviest or most transparent one, it's rather a kind of sparkle that arouses a strong desire to choose it.

Once chosen the stone I began to work on the ring while Nicolás anxiously waited to see the finished jewel.

The day Nicolás returned to my studio to see the ring we both were surprised at the result: he because the ring didn't turn out the way he had imagined it, and me because I was satisfied at the result and expected full approval.

This is how the ring looked like the first time:

In my profession it is true that the key is in the details. The same ring changes enormously by modifying the finish of its surface. The first time the matte finish highlighted the yellow hue of gold of this white gold alloy and the well defined edges gave the ring a very sharp and geometric character.

But when Nicolás saw the smooth and glossy interior of the ring he knew that was how he wanted the exterior finish as well. He also wanted the edges to be soft and rounded.

This is how the ring turned out:

By completely polishing the ring the gray tone of palladium became predominant and the smooth surface reflected changing hues from gray to warm greenish brown. The soft edges made it look fluid and delicate.

This time Nicolás was pleased and I, although initially reluctant to change, also fell in love with this new version.

As in every project I work on this one gave me the opportunity to appreciate more my profession and to learn. I love having the opportunity to know a little about my clients while we talk about what they want. It also makes me happy to listen to their ideas and be able to make some changes to obtain the desired piece.

I have learned that I need to count on the surprise factor, which translates into time.  Sometimes the details look great on paper or on other jewelry projects but are not necessarily appropriate for the present occasion, so I need to have time to change them. I also learned that the view of others can point to which design solutions I'm limiting myself and of course, that I should not fear the glossy finish ;)

 

What version of the ring do you like the most? Matte or glossy?

A talisman

Many years ago, when I decided to become a goldsmith, an image came to my mind: that I would spend countless lonely hours in front of the shinning fire transforming precious metals and gems into objects with a soul. I was fascinated by the idea of creating and blow a certain spirit into the little metallic sculptures.

This is an object created with an intention: that the person who wears it should remember how strong she is and the lessons she has learned.
This is a talisman for a friend of mine.

It's this

With candy-like colors, this beautiful and crunchy...

chard is a delight on any preparation you make.

What's this?

What's this returns!

As my trusty Pentax Optio 330GS suffered an accident I began experimenting with a new camera, which is far more complex and heavy (I'll present the new camera soon). So probably the photos will be a bit strange while I learn the secrets of my new toy.

Now, guess what's this with such vivid colors

Write what you think it is on the comments section and wait for the answer here on Sunday.

New Home

Sunset in Bogota          Photo by Pablo Abitbol

It's almost three months since Bogota is my hometown again. This city of magnificent and violent sunsets, never ending rain, cold houses and sometimes scorching sun. I was born here. I have lived many years here. I love and hate this town.

I say to myself that I don't have time to write on this blog but the truth is that I spend a lot of time looking through the window at those flaming sunsets trying to digest what is happening around me, trying to reconcile the peaceful dream that was living those past years in my little German town with the heart-rending lack of restraint that is living in this city, in this country, in this century.

I had never seen my city so poor, so broken, so full of tears. And my heart is very sad.

So, please, have patience with me while I recover the strength, the illusion and acquire a protective cuirass. I promiss, though, not to become blind and apathetic.

Now that my soul's atmosphere was revealed, it seems sincere, even therapeutic, to return to this space. We'll see if LIRIO blooms once again the way flowers can only do around the Andes and if LILI becomes strong and happy again.

I'll leave you with something that I do enjoy everyday: the colors, the smell, the taste and the exuberance of this soil.

Market Place of Paloquemao in Bogota

In the midst of the summer

There's a lot going on in my life right now. The days go by so fast and sometimes I can't finish my daily labors because they are so many and also because when the weather is beautiful, sunny and hot it's impossible not to go out for a walk.

During June and beginnings of July I worked in the new jewelry designs for summer and some special commissions. I also began a new training with lots of exercises and a similar diet to the last one, but this time I do the workout first thing in the morning and it feels really good.

For the last 15 days I have been busy closing my German home and packing.

Yes. I'm going back to Colombia after almost 4 years in Witten. In my heart there's a mix of happiness for the return and the beginning of a new chapter but also sorrow for the wonderful people and places that I will leave behind.

I will miss the calm and the walk to the woods very much.

Mermaids

Dreaming of the sea and her mysteries. These mermaids have a soft shiny body, a textured tail of shimmering scales and heads of pearls as white as the moon.

This design occurred to me after I produced the Madame Yu Earrings. Now I have in mind other variations of ladies from different times and cultures and distinctive stone heads.

Click here to see the Mermaid Earrings

With their curves and light effects, these earrings look very elegant when worn. From a distance they have an abstract shape, only from a closer look you discover the curvaceous mermaids.

 Freshly posted at my Etsy store!

I will be posting new designs this coming days.

Wild Flower, Two Petals and Ahuacatl

Three additions to my store!

Wild Flower: These earrings are made of three fine bands of hammered silver that hang from chains at different levels. They tinkle, shimmer, spin and change their form all the time.

Click here to see Wild Flower Earrings

Two Petals: A pair of silver plaques and a pearl were all I used to create these curios, delicate and elegant earrings.

Click here to see Two Petals

Ahuacatl: this is the Nahuatl word for avocado. I made these earrings some time ago and in their actual version a dark, iridescent patina covers their interior creating a strong contrast for the golden little seed.

Click here to see Ahuacatl Earrings

I will be producing more jewelry during this week. Hopefully the sun will shine in the mornings so I can take nice photos.

I love to see my store well supplied!

Moon Mirrors

These earrings are  in my store since yesterday. 

I wanted to achieve an effect of striking simplicity. A design that could be worn easily every day or become an accent for a modern and elegant dress. I love the fact that the more I try to get to the essential elements of a design the more they end up resembling the pre-Columbian objects that I admire.

Click here to see the Moon Mirror Earrings

Fuchsias

There are new arrivals at my Etsy store from today and during the next two weeks.
Let me introduce you the fuchsias:

Click here to see the Moonglow Fuchsia Earrings

They are named after a white variety of fuchsias. White like the pearl and the effect of the silver on the hammered petals.

I like these earrings a lot. The idea of creating a volume from layers which are free to move and organize themselves opens a whole new world of possibilities for my designs.

I'm already thinking of new flowers to deconstruct and recreate.

How I wish the day had more hours!!

Tomorrow I will post new earrings in my store.

Behind the curtains

Stones and metal parts move around on my bench and combine with each other because... the new jewelry collection summer 2010 is coming!!

There are also rehearsals for photography. Here is my sophisticated scenery and lighting equipment.

The new collection arrives to my Etsy store on the 15th of May. 

See you there!