Artemisia

Winter Flower

2012-02-09T06:22:00.000-08:00

Carciofo

Artichokes, one of my favorite winter vegetables, so underestimated and left to wither and look forlorn in supermarkets here. The distinct flavor is complex and can be described in the same way a fine wine can be, maybe the one food I can describe as having a finish, a lasting flavor once you have finished chewing and swallowing the little green leaf.

This Renaissance adored vegetable can be eaten in a myriad of ways here is one of my favorites, exalting it's refined flavor without masking it:

Carciofi alla Romana

Roman Artichokes

4 medium artichokes rounded tops of leaves not spiky

5 tbsps extra virgin olive oil

salt

2 smashed garlic cloves

mint, rosemary, bay leaf,

water to cover

Cut off the tops of each artichoke and begin to spread or gently coax open the inside of each one using your thumbs, like gently opening a flower. Cut away the woody part of the stalk but for gods sake don't cut off the stem it's more of the heart, same amazing flavor! Cut back the woody parts of each leaf

Rub salt into the bottoms of each choke and place upside down in a tightly, so they don't roll over, pot.

Add oil, should cover 1 to 1 1/2 inches up each choke, herbs and garlic. Saute until you can just begin to smell the aroma of the garlic and then add water up to the base of the stems. Let cook covered on medium low flame until the stems are tender, uncover and cook down the rest of the water until what remains is just lovely flavored oil and perfectly cooked artichokes.

The varieties that are sold here often have woody leaves and cannot be eaten in their entirety but I assure you the flavors are just as exquisite even if scraping the flesh from the inside of each leaf is how they have to be eaten.

Artemisia Spring

2012-01-24T08:33:00.000-08:00

The Wonderland Collection

2012-01-17T09:21:00.000-08:00

It's the middle of winter, the flurry of the holidays has subsided and I sit reflecting upon the idea that hibernating is a necessary part of the year for not only bears and groundhogs but for humans as well. There is something so restorative about curling up in a blanket in front of a roaring fire and doing nothing but that. As I sit listening to my latest new passion, audiobooks and emerge myself into an alternate surreality my muse springs forward like fireworks on the fourth of july filling my head with overlapping images and colors bursting to be realized and so; well rested and restored the new collection emerges.

Wonderland Collection:

This collection was inspired by the Alice in Wonderland children’s fairytale, filled with surreal images of late rabbits, mad tea parties, potions that make you shrink and a heroine both naive and cunning. Each charm used in these magical pieces are references to another world magical, ethereal and full of wonderment. The pieces are playful and derivative.

Perfumed Violets

Ss perfume bottle hand etched, Rome, Italy circa 1900, Sardinian amethyst fertility bell, rose quartz, amethyst, freshwater pearl, ss toggle closure American 1980, ss chains, circa 1900-1940 handmade

Make me little

Mad Hatter

Dondola

Capture me

Looking Glass

Faith in Me

A Sad Reality

2011-11-28T06:11:00.000-08:00

soaring above Carriage Barn Antiques

Each november sees our annual road trip to upstate New York, this year we hit a few new Antique shops along the way. Sad thing about our enduring economic crisis, the antique shops are filled with furniture estates are letting go and jewelry is sparse. Gold and silver, as of the last three years has been ever steadily rising and is about the only commodity one can count on not devaluing. The long and short of it, the antique dealers are hurting as we all are scrapping most of their gold and silver to stay a float. Unfortunately it means a loss in Antiquity which will never return. It is precisely for this reason that American Victorian jewelry in gold fill and silver is so rare, as during the great Depression the same thing occurred. I'm saddened to see this happening in my lifetime. There was a time when I began Artemisia where the selection of Antiques was embarrassing, overflowing from glass cabinets in every Antique store. Now what is mostly left is real junk, plastic, metal alloys that peel and turn color, a lot of 1970's baubles. Adversely the extremely fine in tact estate pieces in fine gold remain, a shame really to alter their appearance, not to mention bringing Artemisia to an entirely new and prohibitive price point.

Just at a time when Artemisia is increasing, supply of materials is decreasing.

lust, antique printmakers tool chest, refurbished $400

Fall collections and campaign in the US

2011-09-12T14:42:00.001-07:00

Fall Inspiration

2011-09-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

Victorian drawing of how Chatelaines are worn

Chatelaine belt

Chatelaine circa 1780

Chatelaines, women of the early to late 1800's wore these amazing collection of tools hung from a number of chains and fixed to the waist by either a belt or a hook on the waistband of a skirt. This practical piece of jewelry worn by working women through to nobility varied wildly in decoration and metal. The word "Chatelaine" is french and means the keeper of the keys or the mistress of the castle, the image that this meaning conjures in my head is one of an iconic Anne Boleyn the famed first mistress of the Henry the VIII. In practicality the Chatelaine had no such "forbidden fruit" connotation but nonetheless the double entendre of the meaning of the word in French and it's use in English fascinates me and has inspired a collection using pieces from Chatelaines and creating necklaces to be worn by the modern day woman all the while knowing the history of that which she is wearing and giving license to her to imagine being the keeper of the castle keys, the seamstress from the 1800's, the Queen of England or even the mistress.

Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII from the Tudors

Addio Italia

2011-08-21T15:42:00.000-07:00

Veroli, a medieval mountain village has a festival every year with buskers and acrobats and artisans that come from near and far. This band held my attention with its' captivatingly eerie sound from another era. The perfume of grilling sausages and porchetta filled sandwiches wafts heavily in the air and the kids are entertained by stilt walkers while I take in all that is. And know that this too shall pass, another summer ends. Another school year begins.

Veroli

Summer is nearing its' end, the rains in Collingswood have turned my beautiful sun dried tomatoes into a terrible fly ridden science experiment. The words" we're not in Sicily anymore Dorothy" ring in my ears.

Back home I never realized how loud the secadas were, I feel like I've moved to the tropics.

My body still on Italian time wakes when the day is crisp and dewy and the sun just peeks out from the horizon, I've never been an early riser but always wished I was to appreciate this most beautiful part of each day. I don't mind at all that my body clock is still altered.

Pensive mother and daughter

sisters

Ceccano

2011-08-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

The Italy of my childhood, back in Ceccano once again three children aboard and a new experience of this land called Cioceria. It’s been five years since I last came and all the familiar faces of my childhood rush in like the wind that rushes through this valley where Ceccano lives. Faces I have seen over the years that have each a small place for me in their hearts remembering when I was to small to walk. Now it is I who have brought the pitter patter of little feet back into this house the scurry and frenzy of childhood, the laughter and the toys, the toys scattered about.

As I sit on the balcony of this first floor apartment the view is breathtaking, it cannot be compared to anything in America, mountains surround and on the precipice of each lays thousand year old villages most grown around castles each with it’s own spectacular history and present.

Susine di Zio

2011-07-16T01:05:00.000-07:00

Yellow plums

Sweet little things in our uncle Sebastiano's orto...full of fruit trees and ripe violet eggplants, cherry tomatoes bursting off the vine lemons dropping every now and then to the ground breaking the song of the kids splashing in the pool.

Lunch

2011-07-16T00:55:00.000-07:00

Still alive octopus and the fisherman

It's 8am as we struggle to get out of bed knowing the earlier we get there the more varied the selection of fish coming off the boats with the fishermen in the port of Isola delle Femmine. This is lunch today, traditionally prepared octopus, still alive when we bought it, swimming around in a white pail undulating its' gracefully long tentacles for the rest of its short life. I ask the fisherman to pose for me with this beautiful specimen from the sea, he oddly enough, happily obliges my tourist behaviour. Now with lunch swimming in my brain searching for exactly the right combination of ingredients to make an exquisite meal we stumble across fish so flavorful bought so tedious to clean that they are used primarily for broth (brodo di pesce). The scorfani are the perfect pasta choice for today.

Brodo di Pesce

serves 5

A basket or five medium sized scorfani

3 garlic cloves smashed

a small can of peeled tomatoes squeezed and broken to pieces

extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper

water for stock

acine di pepe one pack

Saute' garlic and peeled crushed tomatoes in olive oil until you've perfumed the air around you, add the fish cleaned and still whole ladle the sauteed tomato and garlic olive oil around the fish gently flavoring it and then add enough water to cover all the fish totally and bring to a boil. Once boiling and the fish begin to fall apart remove from heat and strain, there will be scales and bones and cartilage so use a fine strainer. Now what's left is a glorious red orange broth with glistening gold circles of olive oil floating at the surface. Replace in the pot and bring to a boil again then adding the pasta, cook until al dente adjust to your liking with salt and pepper and plate dusting each bowl with parsley and a few drops of raw extra virgin olive oil. Buonissima!

Scorfani

Piazza Marina, Palermo

2011-07-16T00:30:00.000-07:00

Early Sunday morning, probably the earliest I had woken up on this vacation yet, a new friend brought me to Piazza Marina the antique market on Sundays near the port of Palermo. After a cappuccino and an ice cold bottle of water we began our meandering through century old streets lined with vendors selling their treasures of old and new. What a find, after haggling the price of silver on the market and examining a myriad of ornately created keys from the early 1900's with a loop to be sure of their authenticity I merrily walked away a new collection forming before my eyes.

Treasures...Piazza Marina

Off Again...

2011-06-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year, long hot summer days and nights, all about family and fun and food. Cool blue Mediterranean sea Franco by my side, kids in toe the soft lulling that my voice and those around me make in the familiar Italian. I'll be gone for two months this time. Maybe we'll never come back :). I'll be meeting with antique dealers a bit, perusing markets in Rome and Palermo and hunting for my next muse. It may not be jewelry at all, who knows?
Check back for an occasional recipe from my travels and enjoy your summer!

All in the works

2011-05-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

The summer is nearing and so too the culmination of multiple projects soon to be revealed in detail! In the works are a studio sale on Father's day hosted at Sapori, a website launch, a capsule children's jewelry collection, and capsule summer clothing line!!!! Check back, all sale stock is at nearly wholesale prices, making room for a new studio move and fall collections.

Color, hue, saturation

2011-05-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

Beginnings, middles and ends.... Summer is upon us and so is the desire for warmth, breezy clothes and yes color, maybe the only time these collections utilize color is now. Here is what I've been feeling.

Elefante Arancione

Rosa Bella

Millefiore

Whiting and Davis

Apostille

Latch

Farfalla Vera

Dogwood Tre Maglie

Spring at last...maybe

2011-03-08T09:04:00.000-08:00

The buds are beginning their push through the thawing earth reaching for the warmth of the sun, we shed our winter blues, breathe in deeply the first rush of warm spring air and find ourselves too beginning to thaw from the inside out...The practice of Santosha or contentment is becoming hard in these last few weeks of winter.
I've just finished another collection of 40 some pieces and it is already gone...flown to Nashville where a new Anthropologie is opening and Chevy Chase Maryland where there is an Anthroplogie accessories only store. It was all so fast...

The new collections are inspired by a series of handmade very fine retractable pencils in sterling and gold fill from the 1900's and a love for enamel and color in the summer. I have been working on bringing a way for buyers to buy along a genre or motif so each piece is still one of a kind but once one has been sold another in a similar vein is available, we'll see how it goes.

Here are a few images pulled for a taste of the new collections to come for summer...ahhh Santosha

Now, maybe some grilled octopus, preserved lemons, sauteed sunchokes with capers, white wine and lemon rind...mmmm

Spring Things

2011-03-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

As spring approaches so too does the collection of beautiful treasures that I have found and altered for each new piece and new wearer to covet and hold, to breathe new life into.

Rosa Ivorio D'Argento

Profumata

Profumata (Detail)

Hello Bill

Hello Bill (Detail)

Flowering Spring

Farfalla Verde

Equestrian Armour Dear

Caspian

Apostille

Vagabond Craft Show Date and Time

2011-02-05T19:44:00.001-08:00

Come one come all!

February sees Artemisia at Vagabond in Old City Happy Spring!!

2011-01-27T12:53:00.000-08:00

Spring and summer beyond all this glorious snow is just around the corner believe it or not. This spring Artemisia has begun to work with Megan and Mary at Vagabond in Old City on February 12th I'll be there for a trunk show along with other talented designers, stay tuned for more specifics, will post when available. In the meantime they are the first to have the beginning of the Spring/ Summer collection.

geode collection 18k gold and semi precious stones

geode collection sterling with 24k vermeil semi precious stones

geode collection 18k gold, 10k gold child's ring, semi precious stones

A new capsule collection born of necessity, the tangled necklace...

Impicci-14k gold butterfly closure extremely fine chain, tangled and always changing

As for the Accessories collection here's a small taste, inspired by poppy fields and a thirst for color, rich and saturated color. Made of silk charmeuse, linen and rayon ribbon hair clips, shrugs, scarves and more to come...

Hair clips

the Poppy Shrug Burberry cotton remnant, alizarin colored linen, cadmium yellow silk charmeuse, charcoal silk stem

One Woman's Treasures

2011-01-06T10:10:00.000-08:00

Cover of the Courier Post photo credit Denise Guerin

This Holiday Season has come and gone without one single blog entry but not for lack of notable events, more for the overwhelm that the Holidays bring to all of us. Here it is probably the most loaded blog entry yet. This past month Artemisia as a company has begun to take its' place on the fashion industry map with a new relationship with Urban Outfitters company Anthropologie. It's possibly the beginning of a beautiful relationship working with corporate America as an artist. The buyers at Anthropologie have some wiggle room it seems in being able to buy from independent artists and showcase their individual works in their best stores. And there is where I fit in, it's a fabulous concept complimenting their already beautifully worked aesthetic available for many with an item available for only a few. The Artemisia collection debuted at the Rockefeller Center Anthropologie in Manhattan this past December 1, 20 pieces of jewelry and 45 feather hair clips. Below are a few images of what is available.

all individually available at Anthropologie Rockefeller Center NY, NY

To follow with this new relationship came the press about it. First an article by Patch an online zine and then a cover story spanning five pages of the Courier Post Sunday magazine! It's been quite a ride, each day brings new contacts and more work, more of an opportunity to share what I do with a broader audience. Read all about it and enjoy, the Artemisia shop is bigger now so check it out, just a hint the pieces are listed here first as I make them! I leave you all with wishes for a beautifully balanced New year. Let's all go to a yoga studio and practice to achieve kaivalya, or detachment as I do so as to keep all good things in perspective.

Photo Denise Guerin

photo Denise Guerin

Beautiful Stranger

2010-11-28T18:04:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Stranger shoot, in the middle of November making it feel like a warm Moroccan street, the light was beyond gray and still somehow....

"Pavonneggiarsi" cultured pearl, peacock feathers, buckskin and taffeta flower
Cascate di Bottoni(underneath)

Little Boy Blue-American amethyst faceted glass bezel set circa 1950's, handmade English watch chain circa 1920's, French hand painted bronze button circa 1750's, citrine, garnet, and cameo at nape of neck salvaged from a fire England circa 1940

Fauna e Flora-carved bone pendant France circa 1920's, hung by gold fob England circa 1930, Gold fill chains, 10k bird charm at nape of neck circa 1960 America, rose quartz, smokey quartz, citrine and pyrite.

Trunk Show at Arcadia

2010-11-14T16:12:00.000-08:00

Arcadia opens second location in Rittenhouse!! 265 S 20th st.
Friday November 19th
5-9 pm
catered by Sapori

Grand Opening with yours truly bringing watchband bracelets, necklaces, neckwarmers, ponchos and custom clothes. It should be a lot of fun, Tis the season for giving and I'll be there to offer truly unique one of a kind pieces with beautifully handmade vintage linen gift bags for you to do so and feel assured that you have the perfect gift.

Tartufi

2010-11-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

It's fall and the boars are snuffing out the most precious food that exists, at $2,000.00 per pound the white truffle is the queen bee of delicacies, it's brother the black truffle is about $400.00 per pound. Some might say that it is a ridiculous price to pay, others like myself and my husband do spend on food and travel like few others. So on this crisp autumn day on the phone came a call, "I have something for you, you're going to love it!" The familiar voice of my beautiful husband who brought me one of each to play with.
The truffles' pungent woody aroma is it's trademark together with its' deep mushroom flavor and earthy meatiness there is little that needs to be done to enjoy it. I would fry a quail egg and put a sliver on top a small drizzle of supremely first cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Or maybe tonight a handmade linguini with the same olive oil, shaved Grana Padana crushed pink peppercorns and grated white truffle throughout. The jewelry tools and sewing needles down...Apron on. A dopo!

Beauty in the eye of the beholder

2010-10-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Atelier is brimming with finds from across the globe from Spain to Edinburgh, from Sicily to Upstate New York, I can't seem to work enough I could spend each waking moment lost blissfully in creating. It's not always this frutiful in my travels however this time it has been. So, between trofie and polipetti, panelle and ricotta sandwiches, before the little tribe I've created comes rushing in I'm lost in my own epic drama. It is a drama spanning the flappers of the 1920's in America, ladies of the 1940's that Tangoed in Spain and the dapper businessmen walking Princes St. in Edinburgh of the 1940's.

Reflections and facets- sterling silver mother of pearl watch fob England circa 1950, Sardinian fertility bell of faceted quartz, sterling wreath pendant with rhinestone, circa 1950, sterling handmade chain antique never owned labradorite, beer quartz and pyrite, bicolor chains, both sterling and 14k gold, and 24k gold plated silver, mother of pearl button detail.
$400

Il tempo si sfiora- 10k yellow and white gold and diamond non functioning watch circa 1940's , 10k gold childs' ring antique never owned, ivory rose earring converted pendant 14k gold backing circa 1930's America, handmade gold plated chain, rose quartz, ametrine, beer quartz, pyrite. Convertible chain doubled short using 14k sister hook or long $440

Illuminations

2010-09-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

Tunic, skirt, neckwarmer all Artemisia price upon request, available online at Artemisia.

Like a mantra, I repeat are we consumed by the new, the latest, the most fashionable? What about our own sense of individuality, a departure from what we are told to like by the media and a decision to embrace an inner fashion guru?

Millefiore, sterling silver covered with 24k gold vermeil, green amethyst, 10k gold child's ring, faceted bell quartz. Available at Primadonna

Equally, is it not unique and beautiful to possess what is limited in number and handmade using materials that are post consumer and jewelry with provenance, and history?
And is it not refreshing to embrace age and figure change by illuminating it's beauty?

crocheted neck warmer, ruffled neck warmer. Available at Primadonna and Arcadia.

fermaglio hair clip

Photos: Denise Guerin, hair Sandy Vasallo, make up Ally

Fall has arrived!

2010-09-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

Bussola-Citrine, swarovski red bezel set crystals, 24k gold vermeil over sterling silver, Opera enameled plaque circa 1950, Paris, faceted pyrite, 1940's non functioning compass flanked by two pistols.

School has begun and the leaves are beginning to cascade from the trees, summer has begun to take it's leave. The first crisp mornings of fall with it's dew ladened blades of grass and earlier sunrise wake me from my lazy summer slumber. I've been collecting, treasurehunting these last few months and in the next few short weeks new photos, new collections will appear here online and in stores, it will have been worth the wait, the new pieces are rich and oppulent embellishments for the body steeped in historical context drawn from the very corners of the world, the small island of Lampedusa near Africa, Sicily, Edinburgh, Scotland and the border towns between America and Canada.
As of September 23rd the new fall collection will be available at Arcadia in Northern Liberties and Yogawood in Collingswood. More to come in October at Pipsqueak in Haddonfield and Primadonna in Voorhees. Soon the blog will be equipped with paypal as well so you can order Artemisia right from home, and the latest photoshoot happens next week so keep posted!!
It's great to be back in the studio again.

Triangolo poncho in mohair lined with vintage linen and Fiore neck warmer with large grey floral embellishment both available at Arcadia in Northern Liberties

Triangolo

Magna', Magna'

2010-07-25T04:18:00.000-07:00

Tenerumi, a zucchinesque vegetable but much longer, think the length of my three year old, and these are the tender leaves that you eat along with the zucchine. Usually made into a soup I prefer them slightly steamed and then dressed with a little raw garlic and olive oil, a fresh anchovy smashed and stirred in is good as well.

"Babbalucieddi" in Sicilian or mountain snails are found stuck literally to barren branches in the arid countryside, for us it was in Lampedusa that we found these. They are laid in breadcrumbs for a period, rinsed and then brought to a slow boil on a small flame for a while until they come out of their shells. Once cooked they're dressed in sauteed garlic, olive oil and parseley.mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Treasurehunt

2010-07-14T09:49:00.000-07:00

It was a long ride, 8 hrs, but finally my favorite east coast antiquing area, upstate New York. The linens abound and odd trinkets here and there rife with gold and fine silver jewelry. It's not too say that these things can only be found upstate but around here the antiques are all picked over, there no one seems to be interested in what I'm interested in. My two favorites proved to be worth the wait, I found amazingly embroidered linens and some gorgeous filigree in silver and gold and bone. I've already made some asymetrical sundresses for next spring.

Next stop Palermo, Italy.

Arrivederci!

2010-06-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again la bella Italia awaits me and mine. The other half of me calls from across the ocean blue for inspiration, scents, tastes, clear blue waters, endless blue sky and treasures in each and every mercatino I find. This rosemary perfumed air, cobbled streets and linens flapping along clotheslines filling every balcony and terrace that have been for centuries inform my collections subconsciously. I wait all year each year to return to the other land from whence I came, meta' e meta'. There is no greater muse, no place more restorative. Addio, until I return with hand crocheted neck warmers, fabrics and heirloom jewels, I leave you with a view.

And why Artemisia?

Judith and Abra await before fleeing the scene of Holofones murder this painting by Artemisia Gentileschi was one of the reasons I borrowed her name. Her use of light and intensity of emotion in this period when only men like Caravaggio had been able to so eloquently move paint this way is stunning. The hurdles she had to jump to be given the opportunity to paint simply because she was a woman make her tenacity as a painter admirable.

Meta' e Meta'

2010-05-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

photos: Denise Guerin

It started as a mono print on rice paper for my bachelor's degree show in Rome. Entitled simply "Meta' e Meta'" (half and half) an egg shape drawn as a cage encircled at the tip by a rough hewn oval. Now, almost 10 years later my struggle between the Italian and the Polish American in me has evolved into a t-shirt collection. Available at Pipsqueak for all. T's tissue weight 100% organic cotton, hand screened no two a like, the common thread in my work, colors brown, mulberry and ocean.

Artemisia Styles For Red Carpet Event

2010-05-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

I Really Like New Jersey's Sara O'Brien at her last fitting before Sunday's walk down the red carpet at the New Jersey's Hall of Fame this year inducting the likes of Jack Nicholson, Danny Devito, Susan Sarandon, Michael Graves (Alessi) and more. The task at hand "Dressy business attire" as requested by the invitation. The other task use the I really like New Jersy t-shirt!

Corseted t-shirt cut into a shoulder baring tank embellished with silk charmeuse and sand washed silk flowers accented by a complementing corsage bracelet that can also be worn as a choker.

This paired with a 1940's style duchess satin high waisted cigarette pant with slit detail at ankle length finished with patent leather and snake skin t-strap black stilettos. Hair done up with black enamel chopsticks.

Styled and ready to go!!

All photos courtesy of Denise Guerin.

Fatine del bosco

2010-04-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

My little forest fairy tanks are ready and lined up at Pipsqueak, in grey with pink, and white on white. More to come for Mom, just in time for Mother's Day!! Call Danielle she'll put one aside, only 2 available in each size and color only two in the world, ever! All made from 100% cotton and using recycled Italian linen and cotton for the embellishments. Hurry, Hurry or they'll all be gone. Sizes start at 6/12 months and go up to 8 yrs.

Photos: Denise Guerin Images

Andromeda Spring

2010-04-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

Like a little Grecian Goddess elegantly she's poised, "Carolina" the latest addition to this Spring.
Private commission.

And more...

2010-03-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

Bussola

Antique non functioning compass with pistol detail, enameled french plaque, cut crystal bezel set red glass, 18k gold plated chains, ctrine and pyrite, long.

Sacre Coeur

Gruen ladies watch circa 1940, french enameled plaque, men's fob circa 1950 England, cushion cut coin citrine and black pyrite. This necklace is two in one the lariat piece with attached watch is removable and doubled chain can be worn in a single long strand.

Foglia II

24k gold leafed leaf, optically faceted smokey quartz, pyrite, labradorite. 18k gold plated chains, handmade hain, 3 tiers and extendable.

Gocce

Labradorite, freshwater pearl, bezel set mother of pearl, and green amethyst drops, chalcedony drop, sterling silver handmade and repurposed chain.

Sei il mio cuore

English 1950's handbuilt marked functioning locket, iolite, sterling ring handmade and repurposed sterling chain.

Watchband bracelets

repurposed antique expandable watchbands with various semi precious stones above quartz, pyrite and quartz geod.

The next new accessory: the Yoga bag

2010-03-23T07:26:00.000-07:00

Making yoga bags was never what I set out to do but should I make one for myself or buy one, seemed a rhetroical question. Seems others want one too so if you're interested you can contact me directly or go see Beth at Yogawood they're $85 and up depending on the fabric each is individual no two alike and are made from vintage remnants as is this tapestry one shown above. Namaste yoginis.

Artemisia Spring Jewels

2010-02-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

It's that time, The collection of well perserved antiques have been repurposed and altered to create this new collection. The focus is on dimension, and clarity. Colors are neutral and big beautiful gems abound.

The Edwardian mens' fob watches, chains and seals have always drawn my fancy this season proves more of that.

Artemisia and her muse

2010-02-18T08:42:00.000-08:00

Me photographed decked out in Artemisia fall 2010 and standing with my muse, shouldn't we all have one? Her sense of style inspires my collections as well as most rececently re visited movies the Matrix, the Island and the Golden Compass

Arcadia in Northern Liberties, Yogawood in Collingswood

2010-01-30T12:16:00.000-08:00

In the bustling neighborhood of Northern Liberties lies a gem of a shop who's mission reads like my dream come true of a stockist, an owner with a tinge of wanderlust an eye for amazing artists and a real concern for the impact on our environment our consumerism has. The shop is Arcadia and the women who own and run the shop are real and the shop is packed with treasures new and old, art and clothing and jewelry and get this they actually boast a environmentally conscious travel agent on premises to organize trips for the ecologically minded traveller!

Currently they stock mostly jewelry and a few neck warmers...get there for Valentine's Day men! Check back after Sale season for more.

In our hometown of Collingswood, Yogawood has also started carrying the clothing collection for Spring, the wrap and the flower embellished shirts are there and more to come, Artemisia yoga bags are on their way as well. This collection lends itself to being at Yogawood, great layering pieces that can go from a yoga studio onto the street, ask for Beth she'll show you what's available or just go upstairs to their shop where Artemisia is featured on the wall as you walk up!! Currently available are these shirts featured at the right one long sleeve and one short as well as a new dusty pink wrap with inverted grey stitching at the seams. Yoga bags soon!!

Ho Ho Ho and a barrel of Neck Warmers

2009-12-22T12:28:00.000-08:00

It's been a whirlwind, but alas the neck warmers are numbered and I will not be making anymore, don't want to see yourself on every corner you turn, right? The spring collection is under way and as a sneak peek some of the watchband bracelets are featured above. It's been a fabulous fall season with much prosperity I feel very blessed to be doing something I love and having it be so fruitful. Thank you all and enjoy!!
Happy Holidays

Pipsqueak : Urban Body show

2009-10-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

It's finally arrived after much deliberation the dates for the next show were set for November 14th and 15th. Postcards are on their way and I'm feverishly working up to the last minute on embellishments for you to choose from ready to be appliqued to whatever you bring me, please no leather. I've posted and named a few of the embellishments that will be available one called shift another called gira tondo, scroll down to get a better idea of where you might want these things placed. Also soon to be posted are neck warmers, think leg warmer for the neck, they're luscious big knits lined with the softest organic t-shirt cotton. And more to come, possibly a few ponchos, a winter tunic called swift and for the brave a vest done in brocade and fur that was inspired by the under armour worn by medieval Knights. Come early, the finished pieces I'll be bringing are few and precious.

As always I'll be bringing a new collection of jewelry just to keep things sparkling. New images will be added daily to the blog check back soon!!

Wrap it up, tie it down

2009-09-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

It's Fall time to wrap up, so I've created a collection of very deconstructed knit wraps, all small runs no two alike. I'll be posting pictures as soon as they're ready. Adding to that is a small of obi/belts, because they can be worn high or low depending on your outfit. These pieces for me really work to give shape to all of these peasant blouses and knit a line tops that are abounding this season and last. Each of the belts are done in ivory cashmere with muted aubergine, grey, or blue ribbons and complimenting fabric flowers made of anything from irridescent taffeta to wind breaker sports fabrics. See the close-up above.

As of recent the children's collection did really well over the summer with an article appearing in Daily Candy Kids but I'll be focusing on the women's collection for now. Pipsqueak has many of my things and many more to come. Primadonna has changed adresses to a much bigger space and will also have more to come. Keep an eye for the dates of Artemisia's next Trunk show, should be in November.
This seasons' jewelry collection will also be arriving in stores soon. I'll be posting dates.

Swathed in 800 count

2009-06-18T05:05:00.000-07:00

I'll be bringing my latest pieces to Bus Stop this coming Friday June 27th from 5:30- 8:30pm. I've fallen in love with the vintage linens I've been finding at Estate sales you could say I've sheathed most everything I have in them, children, i pod, cell phone, myself, the jewelry collection... All scented with the most amazing rice milk and mallow. Next Friday you can too, come have your children measured for a one of a kind vintage linen dress, shirt or skirt linens will be available to choose from or I can decide for you. If you're on your own come pick-up a little linen purse with sparkly buttons and lace and brighlty colored embroidery to impress when your i pod comes out or your chanel compact or credit cards. And of course how could you do without the necklace that stays on even in your bikini this summer!! Come one- come all last show before the fall!!

New Digs for Artemisia

2009-06-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

I've found a new home for my collections in Haddonfield, NJ at Pipsqueak!! She's recently moved her store to the main road on King's Highway next to Georgie Girl (for those who know the area) and will soon be carrying not only children's clothes and women's jewelry but is adding a capsule women's collection as well. She has a fair amount of my jewelry and soon will probably be taking orders on the children's and women's clothing collections as well! The jewelry she has is marked as such on the site. So go see Danielle, she's laid back and friendly, something all to rare these days.

Children's Collection Finished

2009-06-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week, the Trunk show at PrimaDonna, finishing up and photographing the children's collection and now preparing for the next Trunk Show in Philadelphia at Bus Stop June 26, 2009 times to follow!! For now have a gander at the children's clothes all made to order and as usual one of a kind.

Usa e getta

2009-05-06T19:57:00.000-07:00

I've always found uses for things and things to make use of no matter where I am. In my time living in different countries and travelling I've always collected pieces from these places to utilize in my work. Recently there was some interest shown in the necklaces I make from stones and ribbon and a liquid polymer ( which keeps them flexible). They are not pieces that will stand the test of time but rather show stoppers for an evening. I call them "Usa e getta" or disposable. If worn with care mine have suffered very few missing pieces but again they're really available as one use necklaces. I should be having an upcoming Trunk Show with predominantly these pieces I'll post when I know more...

New work, Trunk shows and Children's collection

2009-05-02T18:38:00.000-07:00

It has been and April full of Antiquity. I spent some time in upstate New York scouring antique shops where amazing things still abound. My preferred period is always the Victorian but for the summer the 1950's has some great colored glass pieces. Needless to say I'm full of beautiful things to adapt and recreate into my own and have been feverishly working away.
Simultaneously, I'm working on a vintage linen children's collection having come across vintage linen tablecloths and sheets that were to beautiful to pass up but damaged just enough to be of no use on a table or bed. I've got some trunk shows on the Horizon and when the May and June dates are fixed I will post them, and look out for me in Daily Candy Kids in June!!
Until the new pictures I'm busy working please contact for any further questions!!

Are we consumed by the new?

2009-03-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

I've been working for some time now on re-creating, keeping a very small toolbox and minimally affecting the environment by discovering the beauty in re-purposed metals, antiques, stones and fabrics.

-Rome 1998, Art School, a tiny studio with the perfect balcony to hang clothes on, a lush green and burnt orange stuccoed courtyard in the artisan quarter of Trastevere. With limited resources and limited materials I began re-thinking that which is discarded. The journey of neglecting the new and opting for the old, putting constraints on what I create by what was available, not a supply and demand philosophy.

I adorn those who wear my pieces with our past, present and future in one. Each piece of jewelry each garment of clothing is one of a kind and each has its' own story. I've travelled the markets and estate sales from Rome to the far most corners of upstate New York and many in between to find treasures that speak to me, that have provenance and those that don't. I breathe new life into them so as to continue their story.

Due to the nature of this work, sometimes I have many things sometimes few but I'll be posting each hunt for more treasures and soon to follow will be the pieces.