Artfully Elegant — Handmade Jewelry & Handcrafted Gifts

Influence from great masters such as Chagall, Miro, and Botero inspired Schluss to create his own individualized style and technique of painting. He began experimenting by painting with his hands, using no paintbrush or spatula. He says, “With the palm of my hands I can get a play of light that I could never achieve with a brush. I start with the abstract, and figures emerge.”

Today, Schluss paints only using his hands. Using his fingers as paintbrushes, he sculpts out images, textures and colors directly onto the canvas. It is with this unique vision that Schluss creates his whimsical and playful images. The joy and enthusiasm that David Schluss depicts in all of his works are signature to the graceful, elegance that exemplifies the beauty of his artistic style of painting.In 1983, David Schluss opened a Studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he still continues to perfect his painting technique. He travels back and forth from Florida to Tel-Aviv, drawing inspirations for his work. His paintings are currently being displayed in the Teffen Museum in Israel, The Museum of Modern Art in Fort Lauderdale, and in many private and public collections throughout the world.

Gisele Theriault began to pursue jewelry design in 1990 while she was expecting her third child, a son. He was born five years to the day of her father’s death. Her father was the village barber, intrigued by stories of humanity and their symmetries. Her father was a passionate listener as the barbershop echoed with stories. When he retold many of the village’s tribulations and triumphs around his family supper table, the stories became imbued with a sense of human proportion and achievement. The spirit of these stories remained in Gisele’s mind for many years as she traveled throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. The stories told through Gisele’s jewelry and watches combine the influences of diverse culture and times, and of course, the spirit of a gentle man and a wonderful storyteller. Thus the dedication of the Barber’s Daughter.

Martha handcrafts wearable treasures made of sterling silver & gold accented with precious stones and pearls. Blending traditional and exotic influences, her inspirations extend from ancient civilizations to modern architecture. Martha has a unique affinity for containers, and embodied in her creations in a sense of small holding spaces. Martha’s passion developed by working with metal. Drawing upon this fascination, she has devoted herself exclusively to the pursuit of innovative metalsmithing and jewelry design. Martha synthesizes diverse elements to create designs that cast an enduring impression. Her designs are stamped with signature Sullivan patterns, with the finished piece oxidized to enhance both texture and form. Martha creates jewelry to help people share their story and to enhance individual statement. As visually dramatic pieces of wearable art, Martha’s creations are sure to create a sensation in any gallery, boutique or private viewing.

Ceramic artist Sandra Silberman is the designer and maker of Dotti Potts ceramic pendants and jewelery, and together with her husband Gavin Silberman they run the Dotti Potts studio in Ontario, Canada. The studio has been in operation since 1993. Sandra is an active artist engaging herself in projects such as producing ceramic quilts and also has an interest in print making.

Each Everyday Artifact is individually produced by world-renowned art printer Jeff Ryan. He designs and crafts each finished product using archival materials and techniques previously reserved for the fine art world. These handcrafted pieces pay a formal respect to everyday passages and milestones. All of the materials used are gentle to the planet. Remember, we live where we work.

Figs & Ginger is a husband and wife team making adorable yet sophisticated Eco- Friendly sterling jewelry which is designed to complement that sexy black dress or simply spice up your favorite ripped jeans. Each piece is either forged, sawed, or soldered by hand and much of their work is inspired by the simple beauty found in forests, both imaginary & real.

“We really do care, a lot. For the past couple years we have been making earth friendly changes within our business and personal life.This was not because it was ‘the in thing’ but because we began to educate ourselves about the state of our earth, and started thinking about raising children. We love our earth and want them to have a chance to appreciate it as we do, so we needed to change, a lot, and we have.”

Laurel Smith has been designing jewelry since 2005. Her inspiration to design jewelry came to her through a dream. In this dream, Laurel was using tools and materials that were unfamiliar to create the beautiful glass pieces featuring her handwriting or original illustrations that have become her signature style. With the idea of accessorizing an accessory, Laurel Denise designs gifts and jewelry that feature her detailed illustrations and handwriting. Her jewelry continues to involve, now focusing on engraved sterling silver pendants and leather bracelets.

While training as an architect, Molly McGrath recognized that the laser cutter she was using to make architectural models had the potential to make unique jewelry and other design projects.  In 2007 she began working on a collection that now includes jewelry, wall hangings, and housewares. Molly M Designs and produces all of her work in San Francisco. She focuses on ethical and sustainable material sourcing, conceptual integrity and accessible pricing. She approaches designs as she would an architectural model: experimenting with concept, materials and composition. Her work is inspired by botanical and geometric forms, perspective, and optical illusion.

For Hilary Hachey, there are two basic steps involved in designing a piece of jewelry. First, I must have a visual concept. Often I find myself experimenting with the figure/ground relationship. Contrast and opposition combined with repetition are the building blocks of my design. Once a visual concept has been established I must solve the problem of translating that concept into metal. My goal is to retain the sculptural qualities of the design while maintaining the function of the piece. I am motivated by the desire to create a piece that stands alone as sculpture and together with the wearer as adornment.

The Monsoon Collection is a grouping of Artfully Elegant’s artists over the years, as well as our own line of jewelry. Harkening back to our roots as Monsoon Gallery, we feature special artists throughout our history. The jewelry features stunning samples of semi-precious stones sourced directly from India. The collection currently consists of double and triple strand necklaces, but will continue to expand.