A Dutch Adventure: Finding Inspiration at the Rijks Museum

As a jewelry artist, I am always seeking my next source of inspiration, even when I’m on vacation.(I know I shouldn’t think about work while vacationing but I just can’t help myself : P ). It is part of who I am, it is my identity.  

My husband Nate and I spent two weeks in April visiting friends in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. I spent time people-watching on the streets, in the stores, museums, and the subways and finding the most interesting pieces of jewelry. This was my first visit to Europe and I did notice a huge difference when it comes to jewelry between American and European style. My observation was that people wear a more subtle style and a lot of smaller gold-tone jewelry. Occasionally I found some very avant-garde modern jewelry. I wish I could have taken pictures of those people, but I didn’t want to be mistaken as creepy.  

I felt like I was in heaven when we visited the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The museum has an extensive permanent jewelry collection from the 16th century to the modern era. I was especially drawn to the 16th century Renaissance-era and Baroque-era enameled jewelry. The craftsmanship of these master pieces are amazing. The details of the ornate designs are so intricate that I was left wondering how the goldsmiths were able to develop the metalsmithing techniques back then. I was like a kid in a candy store, wishing I could learn those techniques from the jewelry masters. Now I understand why the Netherlands is known for its “Dutch Design”: the Dutch people have inherited their aesthetics from talented, past generations.  

Here are couple of my top favorite pieces that I want to share with you:  (list of 6-8 images of jewelry)   

It is nice to be home again and back in my studio: I am feeling fully rested, re-charged, and inspired. While I don’t know how this trip is going to influence my future designs, I do know the seed has been planted. I am excited to see how it’s going to flourish in its own surprising way. Stay tuned!

North Carolina Museum of Art Special Exhibition Art in Bloom, March 30 - April 2

lthough only in it’s third year the North Carolina Museum of Arts (NCMA), Art in Bloom exhibit is sure to become a signatures annual fundraising event. The show, which ran from March 30 - April 2, featured over 50 pieces from the museum’s permanent art collection paired with floral designers who use the artwork as inspiration to create a floral installation. I’ve never seen anything like this before! And who doesn’t love flowers? It is the perfect Spring indoor activity for anyone who enjoys true beauty. As soon as I found out about this exhibit, I purchased tickets for both my husband and I. Just because we have both been so busy at work for the past two months and can totally use a date!

The show was amazing! I was blown away by all the floral designers’ creativity and craftsmanship.The way they interpreted the artwork was so clever no matter whether it was narratively or abstractly. It was very inspiring. I was amazed by every single detail they addressed in their installations, and how they made the right choice regarding the types of flowers or plants that work for each piece of  art. It was a feast for the eye with so many different kinds of exotic flowers. Most I had never seen before. The NCMA did an amazing job this year and I am  happy that I got to witness  this beautiful event!

American Craft Council - Atlanta Craft Show Review, March 17 -19

I headed to Atlanta, from March 17-19, for my third time to participate in the American Craft Council (ACC) - Atlanta Craft Show. I’ve always enjoyed this show: the venue is quite nice, it locates at Cobb Galleria Centre which is Atlanta’s premier convention center. The customers were friendly as always. I took time on the weekend to catch up with my artist friends from Raleigh and alumni from SCAD, including my department chair. The first day of the show, Friday, March 17th, happened to be St. Patrick’s Day. I loved how people dressed up in green to attend  the show. Unexpectedly for me, a couple of my green colored earrings were popular that day! (heart).

The show went smoothly from packing and traveling to set-up, sales, networking, breakdown, repacking, and more traveling. Attending shows is hard work but I love it and it’s always worth to me and my business. I’m happy with the result, not only my old customers came back to my booth with some purchases or said hello to me, but I was be able attract more new customers to fall in love with my new collection “Reveal!” This is my last show of the first quarter, now I can finally take a few days off to recharge and, (my favorite!) catch up with all the custom orders that have piled up :P

My booth

She's so happy to find the perfect earrings for St Patrick's Day : )

How I Rocked the American Craft Retail Expo & American Craft Council Show and Took On Philadelphia, Baltimore, & Washington D.C.

I did it! This was my first time attending and selling at two major shows in a row. I was on the road for over 10 days from Philadelphia to Baltimore, and then off to Washington D.C. Overall the shows were a success: I received a lot of positive feedback and took several orders for my new collection, “Reveal,” from both new buyers and returning customers. 

While in Philadelphia for ACRE my husband and I experienced nightlife in Philadelphia by dining at several delicious authentic Chinese restaurants such as E-Mei Restaurant, Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House, and this really amazing no name speakeasy bar in the center of Chinatown. I never say “no” to a dual-purpose business trip! I heart Philly!

After ACRE, I stopped in Washington D.C. for two days for rest with good friends. It was a pleasant break in between the shows Philadelphia and Baltimore. I recharged with eight hours of sleep and by visiting the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and the National Gallery of Art for two days straight! Walking through the halls I was drawn into the unique structures and compositions of the contemporary art masters’ works. And, the Baltimore ACC was a reunion of many of my jewelry friends and made couple of new friends as well!

It’s March now and I’m finally home with my boys (my hubby and my two little boy cats) and my  girl (Nora, the wonder dog). I love presenting my work at shows but there’s nothing like getting back to work in the studio filling orders and restocking my inventory for ACC Atlanta later this month.

Hsiang-Ting Yen, signing off!