ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: BONNIE RADOW
Beauty of the Materials in Jewelry Art What is your background, how did you begin designing and making unique jewelry? I began my work as an interior designer doing residential and commercial design. After about 10 years I began my career as a sculptor creating mixed media art, which was an exciting creative period in my life. About 15 years ago I decided to take my artistic abilities in another direction. I learned to fabricate jewelry so that I could create individual pieces which were both beautiful, as well as pieces of art my clients could wear. Why did your jewelry evolve to its present state? I have always had a great admiration for antiques and precious artistic pieces particularly from the Victorian era. This led me to collecting pieces during my travels around the world. My jewelry designs became a way to combine the beauty of these older pieces with more modern design creating a unique jewelry genre.
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What do you try to accomplish with your jewelry art? I try to create pieces that not only define the beauty of the materials contained in each piece, but also define the individual clients who wear my jewelry art. What keeps you going to continue to create individual pieces rather mass producing many copies of each piece? I love interacting with the women and men who are my clients. It is a tool that keeps inspiring me to create. How do you continue to come up with new designs that excite your clients? The design ideas come to me as I obtain new and beautiful materials to create the jewelry. The ideas for the jewelry creation are a gift that allows me to bring pleasure and joy to the wonderful women that wear these pieces. Have you ever thought about commercializing your jewelry and putting it is stores so more people could enjoy it. I have considered it, but I enjoy the social aspect of dealing individually with the clients who buy and wear my jewelry.
How do you continue to find the materials to sustain your jewelry art. Fortunately, I have developed a network of sources that are still continually finding antiques and artifacts I can integrate into my jewelry. I enjoy travelling which constantly identifies new sources. What is next in your jewelry art? Every day is one of discovery and wonder. As I find new materials and develop new themes my pieces continue to evolve and my clients seem to love these pieces more and more. This gives me personal joy. Bonnie will have a private trunk show with her newest collection on Nov. 1, 2 and 3, from 9am to 5pm. To schedule an appointment, email Bonnie at bonnieradow@cox.net. Her website is www.bonnieradowdesigns.com.
Photo credit: Peter Vander Stoep