Jewelry has been commonly perceived as a beautiful piece of wearable art. With its infinite possibilities of designs and artists/designers who will awe you at every glance at their spectacular work. It is no longer thought of only with precious metals and gemstones, it is now thought of with a wider eye, the eye of creativity, in hopes that we will wear it against our skin, over our clothes -sometimes beneath-, in our hair and on the accessories we carry around with us. It is an expression of art in media we may have not thought of, or perhaps, even considered before.

Contemporary jewelry is referred to as current, from World War II to the present, and is focused in combining contemporary design, its traditional goldsmithing techniques, with non-traditional materials like glass and organic matter, and with new and modern materials, such as polymers, nylons, acrylics. Designers now express their creativity using digital technology, allowing them to visualize their designs in a three-dimensional, virtual space, the instruments are adapted to the materials they use, like laser cutters and polishers, dipping chemicals to achieve a particular finish. It’s a different world, it’s a different philosophy, it’s contemporary jewelry design.

We could say that ‘contemporary’ jewelry is the jewelry we like to wear today. We want originality, we want uniqueness, we want to wear something special, that says our name, or mirrors our mood and taste. It is time to be part of the small niche, in which jewelry is mostly bought by collectors and museums, and step up to the latest in jewelry design. It is not necessarily a costly decision I must add, there is something for everyone, and there is definitely something for you and me. Be true to the materials you decide to wear, be proud of them, wear them as they are, it be leather, fiber, gold, let it be what it truly is. Wear it boldly and with confidence. Find a designer/artist that appeals to you, read about him or her, this might be a conversation piece, and what better to talk about, but of art and design!

Art Gorinas Cognac Diamond Ring @MOCAShop.com

Art’s work is very precise and unique. His experience is invaluable, as he worked restoring antiques and non replicable pieces in his home town, Lithuania, it is visible to the naked eye in all his present work.

Art Gorinas was born in Lithuania, Vilnius, the capital. He graduated from the Lithuanian University of Technology, and although he worked in various Science Research institutions and later as a metal restorer at the Lithuanian Art Museum, he knew his true passion was in designing and making jewelry.

“Love for creating beauty does not necessarily lead to professionalism” says Art. As soon as he realized that, he knew he had to make a choice to work on his own as an independent jewelry artist. In 1990 designing jewelry became his main and beloved occupation. He reached a new frontier in his career and education, moving to New York City in 1999, and working for world renown jewelry designer Alex Sepkus. “We can argue about the design aspect of jewelry, but not quality”, Sepkus would always say. Ever since then, a microscope has been permanently mounted to Art’s workbench to ensure the high quality known for all his work.

As a lapidarist would put it as he worked on one of his pieces: …”[Art Gorina's work] is way past what we see in stores around the  country. [He] is very good. Everything about it I like.  The finish, the crisp lines, the balance between metals and stone – I am  very impressed. I have worked with numerous top-flight designers around the country, and your piece is top-notch.”

Some of Art Gorinas exclusive pieces are available at MOCAShop.com

http://www.mocashop.com/m-62-tamra-gentry.aspx

“I am inspired by color. I have always had strong, visceral reactions to color. Color is my ‘hook’.”

“Things like texture, design, and pattern are all secondary to me. It’s not that I deem them any less important in the sensory and creative processes—it’s just that they rarely evoke the response in me that color does.”

“Every stone that I use—be it Fordite or a natural gemstone—is selected because something about its color speaks to me at a deep, gut level. It could be one color or a combination of colors. All I know is that my jewelry is all about color” explains Tamra, and this is visible in every design. Her latest ‘hook’ is Fordite, the result of the build-up of layers of auto enamel overspary in the painting bays used in factory auto painting processes back in the 1970s. Each vehicle was painted in an enclosed bay where excess paint accumulated on surrounding fixtures and was cured hundreds of times over. Later it was discovered that the material could be cut and even faceted like traditional gemstones, and proceeded to harvest the layered paint chunks from the old fixtures (hoarding their finds) before new painting processes were put into place. It is now a very efficient process and there is no more excess paint to be had. Now resources are limited, making Tamra’s work even more desirable.

Tamra was recently featured in the February/March 2011 issue of Desert Gold Magazine. She continues to evolve and is always open for new inspiration, as long as it ‘speaks’ to her we will enjoy seeing or having and wearing one of her pieces.

The work of Tamra Gentry is the union of fine metalsmithing with the creativity of Fordite and beautiful gemstones. Experience it all in the online contemporary artisan jewelry store MOCAShop.com!

Awards will be presented to one small and one large business and recognize international businesses that significantly impact the economy of the state of Florida in each of the following categories: Business Retention & Expansion, Education & Training, Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Innovative Practices, Joint Ventures, and Philanthropic & Community Leadership. Applications were reviewed by a panel of judges whose business expertise spans international business.

The 2009 nominees are:

AF International
Assist-Card USA
Avery Glass & Mirror
Baptist Health International Center of Miami
Brightstar Corp
Bupa Insurance Company
Dadeland Travel
Diageo
Econocaribe Consolidators, Inc.
Economic Development Advisory Group
Fortune International Realty
Globalvia Infrastructures
Harper Meyer Perez Hagen O’Connor & Albert
IHG Latin America & Caribbean
IKEA
Intelsat
Jackson Memorial Foundation
Leaf & Associates, LLC
Medical Tourism Association
Medtronic, Inc.
Miami Fashion Week
MOCAShop.com
Neoris
Port Everglades
Readix, Inc.
Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches
Summa Media Group
SafetyPay, Inc.
Seaboard Marine
Telefonica USA
Trini

The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce is an association of businesses and professions organized to create economic progress in Miami-Dade County. To carry out its mission, the Chamber serves as the voice of business enterprise and involves the private sector in community leadership. For more than 100 years, the Chamber has been widely recognized and respected for its extraordinary record of economic development and community improvement.

The Greater Miami Chamber is an activist chamber. Its program of work is organized in five areas: Advocacy, Domestic Business Development, International Business Development, Leadership Programs and Marketing & Member Services. The Chamber has an award-winning website, www.MiamiChamber.com; holds the license to the Miami Free Trade Zone, Inc.; and is widely recognized as one of the Top 10 Executive Speaking Forums in America.

Marcela was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, city she loves for its excitement, passion and beauty, from a French mother who she describes as “like most French women, she was (and still is) always dressed elegantly while she fashionably carries a stunning handbag”. She studied Psychology, because of her family’s long tradition in humanitarian causes and philanthropy, and she actually practiced for a few years, but later on she decided it was time to pursue her other great passion: “to design beautifully crafted handbags”. She says she likes to mix her psychology with handbag design; “from a woman’s perspective, there is such an emotional connection between the handbag we carry and our sense of ‘self’”.

“I find real beauty in handbags. A well-designed handbag becomes a work of art. My trademark is mixing style and function, and I am always working to bring back some of the alluring features that defined the Calvet bags back in the days when exotic skins were all the rage. I am always experimenting with different exotic skins and leathers for texture; because a bag has to be practical and long-lasting, as well as stunning.” The bags appeal to those seeking great designs and functionality. Function is definitely important in terms of design; which is why most of the models include capacious interiors, cell phone pockets and other interior pockets, key chain, removable shoulder straps, etc. All have interior linings handmade in ultra-supple Argentine Calfskin that will make you want to constantly search for that lip gloss.

Horne Clutch Bag by Marcela Calvet

Marcela prides herself in “melding Argentine sensuality with French sophistication. That is our trademark”. Marcela Calvet handbags are handmade in limited editions; and many of them are one-of-a-kind, utilizing the finest farmed exotic skins, like South American alligator, lizard, ostrich and South American ostrich, as well as full grain Argentine leather and calf skin. The hardware is of the finest quality as well: solid brass which they Gold-gild or Nickel-gild to give it that divine finished look. Her Signature shades are achieved by using traditional vegetable dying methods which is better for the skins and the leathers and most importantly, for the environment.

This month Marcela Calvet’s Horne handbag was featured in the special FALL FASHION  issue of Newport Life Magazine, shot on location at Rough Point, the Newport Mansion of Heiress Doris Duke. “Marcela Calvet Handbags is increasingly becoming a top player in the luxury segment, particularly because the company uses traditional hand craftsmanship techniques”. Her bags stand out for the obvious quality craftsmanship and her French-inspired beauty. The buzz is on, be aware that you will come across page after page of amazing reviews and comments when you search for Marcela Calvet Handbags. You can now just go straight to MOCAShop.com to find the best selection at the best prices possible MOCAShop was able to negotiate, due to special ties, for all our followers!

Astrid Poletti

This great spirited jewelry designer, originally from Paraguay and now a Florida resident, does not stop at anything. Jewelry has always been her passion  and runs in the family, both sisters known  jewelers  have often  traveled to Italy, taking along their younger sister Astrid for her intuitive eye for buying. She worked in the Miami financial district for a few years, while she casually started her jewelry line as she could not find what  she wanted  to wear herself, offering  it to friends and  family only, until  it was impossible to keep  the secret, selling  to friends of friends and the chain goes on.
She first got noticed by Ocean Drive Magazine, a local  important fashion and entertainment  magazine,  who had  selected her as  one of four most  important up  and coming Miami area jewelry designers publishing an interview.
This  story is  just  beginning.  Astrid’s  great  taste  for fashion  will take  her far.  She has  been in  the cover  of  many magazines,  has been interviewed and received great reviews. Her jewelry is very unique always made in limited edition, starting with her stunning filigree pieces, fabulous designs in a combination of stones, sterling silver, 18k gold,  leather, glass and anything that she finds suitable for a trendy and chic piece of jewelry.
Astrid is  thankful for her  success and continues to create.  She believes in  working hard,  which does not  intimidate her,  and likes quoting Pablo Picasso who said “Inspiration exists, let it find you working”.

Last month, Mushka Designs was the featured artist on MOCAShop.com. I thought I’d return the favor by featuring Monica here. Her online shop is dedicated to work of others so I thought it would be nice to learn more about the woman behind the scenes and how MOCAShop came to be…

Mushka: Why did you decide to start MOCAShop and why is jewelry design important to you?

Monica: Arts, specifically fashion and architecture have always been important to me. In searching for unique jewelry for myself, discovered contemporary jewelry designers and got fascinated with them. Couldn’t stop searching for more, going from one gallery to an other, to awards, to blogs, and decided this is what I would like to do; to promote, show, sell and be involved in everything related to contemporary jewelry.

Mushka: How do you choose your designers?

Monica: I’m not sure I have a pattern, it’s intuitive. I’m always searching, in the look out for new (to me anyway) jewelry and designers. I read everything I come across that’s related to jewelry, contemporary or not, I like it all. I look for design, originality, unique handmade jewelry. I look for artists.

Mushka: What aspects of handmade jewelry do you admire?

Monica: I love the uniqueness that each piece has to offer, the fact that it’s handmade makes it special to me. I like that there is a creative process or story behind it, and I like to know there is an artist working with his hands and soul on something I will later wear. This is what fascinates me the most. The fact that an artist starts with an idea in mind that turns into something different on the way is very unique to me.

Mushka: How has Mocashop evolved since you first created it? How do you see Mocashop growing/changing in the future?

Monica: MOCAShop has evolved greatly since it started, it went from very basic start, in which I was learning every aspect of the web, graphics and production, to additions for improving the store with more categories and ‘click to’ buttons. I think MOCAShop.com is a reflection of myself, it has grown with me making this year very intense. My goal is to reach my audience fully, to be able to show off the wonderful artists MOCAShop has to offer, and of course reward myself with the success of a dream come true. Thank you so much Sarah. You know you are one of MOCAShop’s pioneers!

Mushka: Thank YOU Monica for supporting the independent designers of the world! We appreciate your dedication to the art of handmade jewelry.

Join the MOCAShop Group on Facebook!

With shoppers looking for gifts that are unique and one-of-a-kind, nothing speaks to the heart more than an exquisite and timeless piece of jewelry. The collections of Francisca Bastos Design showcase bold designs and intricate artwork using 18 carat gold and Brazil’s finest gemstones including aquamarines, amethysts, and tourmalines. With elaborate uses of citrine, emeralds and diamonds to showcase the precious stones, Francisca’s statement pieces will complement the winter fashion collection’s bold colors and structure. Her pieces are perfect for any woman, friend, girlfriend, wife or mother. Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity and unique code, allowing all pieces can be traced to when and where they were created. For something truly luxurious, Francisca’s aides will travel to you, leaving you with more time without having to leave your home or office. She will also create signature pieces specifically handcrafted and designed for you. In 2005, Francisca Bastos established a showroom in Monaco, and in 2007 entered the United States with a showroom in Bal Harbour, FL. Her exclusive designs are also sold at Marisa Perry Atelier SOHO in New York City, NY and also online at MocaShop (www.mocashop.com). Francisca Bastos Design - 1111 Kane Concourse, Suite 303; Bay Harbor Islands; Tel: (786) 206-7277

This jewelry artist, gemologist, young entrepreneur has created five collections of “unique pieces”, and is already working on her sixth collection. Each one has earrings, pendants, rings, and in some cases, bracelets. She also takes special and custom orders. Her latest work is “inspired in the egyptian mythology, with grains, ornaments and stones of great dimensions”.

Sanchez, beside the number of jewelry stores and galleries to whom she sells her jewelry, has also opened a store in the internet (masaoms.etsy.com) which has brought her specially to the United States. Now she completes her services with an extensive blog on the internet, in catala, specialized in contemporary jewelry (www.18kt.es), to which she receives 700 to 800 visits a day, and which has opened the doors to jewelers who are interested in her product.

Everything points that Sanchez’ season prior the the Holidays will be a good one. Looking to the future, Sanchez aspires to grow in a controlled manner, maintaining a small studio and looking forward to opening her own store.

Marta Sanchez’ Aton collection is now available exclusively at www.mocashop.com