I am excited because this week I have been able to spend some time designing  my new website.    If you have any suggestions for convinient layout designs and/or features or links that could be helpful or fun I would love to hear them.

Also I have been digging up some images of restoration work that I have done and it is reminding me of  how great it feels to work with someones precious heirloom that has seen its day and is in desperate need of attention.  I am attaching images of  my restoration work so you can see some of the challenges I have faced.

Finally, I want to share a few historical images of pearl-embelished Kokoshnik ( a cross between a hat and a Tiara).  In the future I look forward to writing about the subject as it is a huge inspiration and treasure to behold. 

Don't foget to check back soon for more updates about Marinaj.com

Before:                                                                        After:

Before:

After:

Kokoshnick:

Today I launched a 500px  account! You can find visit the site and find images of my latest here:

http://500px.com/marinajjewelry

Snake Jewelry

You can now find my jewelry on 1stdibs

Here are a couple of the great pieces that are available:

Antique Snake Bracelet

I found this wonderful antique gold clasp in England. The snake head has an intricate filligree motif and ruby eyes. I made the hand woven pearl rope bracelet, to create a very unique and one of a kind bracelet.

Victorian Snake Necklace

Antique 19th century enamel snake head clasp stands as a centerpiece for this hand woven pearl and emerald beaded necklace. Truly a unique piece.

Victoria Secret Million Dollar Bra

I am so proud to have been part of the Victoria Secret Million Dollar Bra 2011 project. I hand stitched the bra with pearls, diamonds, citrine and aquamarine and a luscious and extravagant tassel made of pearls aquamarine and diamonds.

Inspiration

I am currently seeing all the amazing movies out there like Hugo and The Artist. I am anticipating W.E. All these films are so inspiring, that all day long I think about Art Deco and jewelry design.

While I was in Portland in December, I came across a number of books with illustrations by Erte (of course I had to buy all of them!) which is why I cant stop working on my Art Deco Collection all day and night.

More on The Sautoir

I was always fascinated by sautoirs. It was one of the favorite necklaces of the roaring 20s, and became a symbol of the time. The sautoir was a very long chain or beaded necklace, decorated with a tassel or pendant. The long necklace was an ideal accessory to compliment the low-waisted dress of the time. Many of the sautoir designs created by Cartier were multipurpose accessories. They were constructed in such a way that the central brooch or pendant could be removed and worn as a brooch or pin, and the chain could be detached and worn as a bracelet and shorter necklace.

Ten years ago, when I created my “Don’t Just Inherit It, Wear It” collection, I wanted to give new life to antique brooches and family heirlooms that people held onto but didn’t wear. I designed pearl necklaces from chokers to sautoirs to compliment the antique centerpieces, preserving their beauty and elegance. The brooches were removable so the necklace could be worn on its own, and the centerpiece could be interchangeable. Over the past ten years it has been my most successful collection.

I have drawn inspiration from Cartier’s designs and want to elaborate on my own sautoir collection so each segment itself can stand alone as a bracelet or shorter necklace.

If you have any unusual patterns or photographs of antique pieces please let me know!

Back from London

I just recently returned from a business trip to London and attended a Bridal Show while I was there. The show was exactly what I feared it would be: a lot of gorgeous and expensive dresses and inexpensive, fake jewelry. I have experienced the same situation here in the States. Whereas the show in London was a bit more conservative, displaying mostly invitations and dresses, the shows here have more of a production in their efforts (balloons, cakes, chocolates, samples, photography...) yet one things still remains the same; it's always cheap, fake bridal jewelry. So much effort is placed in every other detail of the wedding, that I can't possibly begin to understand why bridal jewelry is overlooked.

The tassel collection that I created a week before I left, was very well received. I sold out of the few pieces I had time to create and had orders for more. The collection will comprise of what I call sophisticated tassels, made of precious stones, gold, diamonds and enamel decorated cups. The tassels will be longer, bigger and jucier! I am planning to bring more colors into my collection (I was inspired by the colorful window displays in the London stores).

Some of the new locations you can find my designs at:

Kojis at Liberties

McKenna & Co.

Bentley & Skinner

Sussanah Lovis