Frozen Music

On a Sunday afternoon car ride home from Alabama a few months ago, my architect brother--on one of his inspired, grandiose 'philosophy of architecture' rants--described architecture as "frozen music". He probably didn't coin the term, but I liked it. I can definitely see where he's coming from. Like powerful music, great design in architecture can make you feel something.

I vividly remember one experience I had at the Jewish Museum in Berlin--a museum that focuses a great deal on the Holocaust. Upon walking into one particularly dark, barren room, I was filled with angst and felt my stomach just drop. Of course, the context had something to do with it, but the materials and angles of the building really put you in a certain mood.

---------------------------------------------------------------
I would certainly say that I appreciate art and jewelry with an architectural influence, but these Phillipe Tournaire rings are preeeety intense and quite literal!

I do find this city ring pretty attractive...



Perhaps not the most practical, but certainly very interesting! I wonder if my brother could find some frozen music in them.

Allure

It seems that my average post time on DITB is every two months. Hopefully I can change that, especially now that I have a temp job where I literally do 1 hour's worth of work from 8 to 5. Never thought this level of boredom was possible!

About a month ago, I noticed that my step-dad, Bill, made the most beautiful and intricate lures for his fishing expeditions on the Little Red. I knew that he had become obsessed with creating his own lures (my mom rolls her eyes at the hours he spends cooped up in his office), and I'd noticed the boxes upon boxes he filled with mysterious and colorful fishing supplies. But I had no idea how cool his creations really were! As soon as I saw them, I made him a business deal--he'd provide production, and I'd make the jewelry line, which is to be titled Allure. I am too scared to Google search my idea and find that it's already taken!

A selection of Bill's work

I have only made a few necklaces so far, for family members and friends, but here's a shot of one I made for Elizabeth:

P.S. Bass Pro Shop is a scary place! Have a good week!

Every end is a new beginning...

It feels like a lifetime ago since I've updated the blog! While I don't know if I'll keep it going, I do feel compelled to bring it back to life, at least for a little while. I have no expectations this time around...just to have some fun!

---------------------------------------------------------------

Last week, I quit my job at A. Schwab's, the historic general store that's been on Beale Street since 1876. Although it was a short run (just shy of 2 months), I have to say that working at Schwab's was probably the most interesting job I have had yet. I vividly remember shopping there as a child on elementary school field trips, then as a teenager buying silly hats and a washboard, and more recently purchasing voodoo oils and penny candy. Never in a million years did I think I would one day work alongside Beverly and Elliott Schwab!

Some of my proudest accomplishments during my time on Beale include: orchestrating the first live rock show in the building's 150-year history; ripping down the rotting, painted cardboard from the windows that had obstructed the upstairs view onto Beale Street since 1952; befriending Elliott Schwab and discovering the history of the store and Beale Street itself; and learning the secrets of mojo--even creating some special concoctions for friends :)

No, it's not a Kabbalah bracelet!

I thought this string, which is everywhere around Schwab's, was very cheery. Every week, when the color started to fade, I would tie a new one to my wrist. Elliott said that they used to wrap packages in brown paper and this thread.

While I didn't leave on the best of terms (let's just say the new owner is difficult) I've taken away a lot from my experience at Schwab's. I made some great friends in the process, and even got to drink Pamplemousse rose Perrier in Craig Brewer's lair! I was sad to go, but I'm learning that sometimes you must accept what you can't change, and move on to more positive environments.

Below are some of my favorite photos from my time at Schwab's. Enjoy!

                               

                                           

I know, I'm a dork!

The Beale Street dog.

And finally, some photos from the Commercial Appeal website. Above, a shot of Beverly and Abram Schwab during the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike aftermath. Beverly said they were staring at the National Guard tanks that had been called down into Memphis (see below). She also said that the "I AM A MAN" posters were scattered all over the street, but she didn't save any. Martin Luther King, Jr. would be killed just blocks away 6 days later...

Farewell, Bluff City

I love Memphis, and I will truly miss this fair city on my 2-month trip, which begins TODAY. My friend Jordan and I are embarking on the trip of a lifetime, starting with an 11-day cruise from Miami to Barcelona, followed by train and plane trips through France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, London, and Iceland.

I like to show my Memphis pride with this necklace, handcrafted by Kathy at Pangaea Designs. Memphis will always hold a special place in my heart. We have the boldest jaywalkers, the best BBQ, and some of the craziest, friendliest characters you’ll ever meet. There's a reason Justin Timberlake says he hails from Memphis, and not boring Millington, TN.

I already miss my friends and family, the river, the P & H,and lemongrass tofu. Get well soon, Darlene!

And go Grizzlies go!

الحب

My Uncle Sam has always done things a little bit differently. Although my aunt and uncle were married in California, they soon relocated to Saudi Arabia, where my uncle had this cut-out wedding ring made. I've always admired it's uniqueness.

Since I don't speak Arabic, I'm not sure what it says. But in my mind I've decided it reads "My love forever, baby doll." See you soon, Uncle Sam!

Cradle to the Grave

Do you ever marvel at the miraculous ability of a mother to provide nourishment to her baby in the form of breast milk? Ever wish you could carry a bit of that milk with you, close to your heart, for the rest of your life? Well, now you can, with this Etsy seller's breastmilk pendants.

While I love most things weird, breastmilk jewelry may be taking things a bit too far. The actual process sounds quite complex, and quite creepy:

"You will need to ship your milk to me. I only need a small amount, aprox around a tablespoon, and it needs to be shipped securely in a sealed bag.

This is a lengthy process. I first have to plasticize your milk, seal the milk bead, and then I embed it in resin. So I need aprox 3 weeks to factor in your shipping the milk to me and the time it will take me to make it. My process is completely sterile. I will put great care and respect to preserve YOUR milk as an everlasting keepsake to your precious nursing expierence. Please know that I will in fact use YOUR milk..."

Stylistic side note: using chalky apples as a background for a breast milk pendant does not make me want to purchase said pendant.

Also fascinating (although probably bogus) is this service offered by LifeGem, in which the ashes or hair of loved ones are turned into "diamonds":

"Your very own LifeGem diamond(s) can be created from the carbon in cremation ashes, a lock of hair, or both. Of course, not only do we turn ashes into diamonds and hair into diamonds, we also have a full line of cremation jewelry, rings, and pendants to accent your beautiful LifeGem cremation diamond."

A little more about the cremation process, in case you were wondering:

"The procedure necessary to create a LifeGem diamond is exactly the same as above; however, eight ounces (or 200 grams) are put aside to be sent to our facility to begin the LifeGem diamond creation process. We do NOT need the full set of cremated remains.
If you have lost someone in the past, the most important thing to know is that we CAN create a LifeGem from previously existing remains from many, many years ago. Carbon that exists in your loved ones remains will be accessible for a very long time. If you have just lost a loved one, your loved one can be cremated at one of our certified facilities across the nation, or at the facility of your choice. Please contact us and we will direct the location of your choice on how to properly proceed. We can train the funeral home and cremation operators quickly, so your family will not experience any additional stress or concern. You do NOT need to send the deceased to our location."

You know, I've always wanted to be made into a piss-yellow diamond. Kudos to these lifecycle jewelers for their bold foray into an untapped market!

Microcosm

I really appreciate attention to detail in art and other creative endeavors. One of my favorite creations is still Tom Friedman's 1991 untitled folded paper project, in which he (supposedly) crumbled up a sheet of paper, unfolded it, and then recreated the exact same folds and crease marks in a second sheet. 

A few months ago I ordered this ring from Etsy seller Auka, who creates tiny naturescapes--oftentimes with perfectly detailed little humans. This swimming lady is immersed in water with strategically placed 'bubbles' floating at the surface. Unfortunately, her foot broke off on the second day of wear.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Casey brought another Etsy seller to my attention that completely blew my mind. She makes rings with tiny (and very random) food pairings...

First of all, what? "Cola and Nacho Cheese Corn Chips Snack ring"?? Genius! (Graduation gift please!)

Update: This ring sold today :(

"Carrot Juice Soft Boiled Egg Bread Ring"... Really?

Item description: "Mmm! Meat! There is a big hamburger steak with corn and okra and a yummy tomato sauce is being poured!"

You win,SouZouCreations. These are officially the craziest rings I've ever seen.