The answer: not at all. Concrete jewelry is very lightweight
One thing that is important to note that concrete is actually a lighter material than metal, so a piece of concrete jewelry of the same size as a piece made entirely of silver would actually be lighter in weight.
This is because concrete contains small, air-filled pores, which give it a lighter overall density. While we may typically think of concrete as a heavy material it is a trick our minds play on us because concrete is used in the construction of buildings, bridges, and other large structures.
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One thing that is important to note is that concrete is actually a lighter material than metal, so a piece of concrete jewelry of the same size as a piece made entirely of silver would actually be lighter in weight.
This is because concrete contains small, air-filled pores, which give it a lighter overall density. While we may typically think of concrete as a heavy material it is a trick our minds play on us because concrete is used in the construction of buildings, bridges, and other large structures.
Since the amount of concrete used in jewelry is very small, its weight is very low, especially in the concrete compound I use, which is extremely strong yet very lightweight. In fact, when making concrete jewelry, the quantities of concrete required are often so small that I often use baking measuring spoons or syringes to measure the quantities needed to prepare a batch as can be seen in this video:
That being said, not all types of concrete are equally light. In the process of designing and creating my own concrete jewelry, I experimented with various recipes and formulas, testing out different aggregates, cement powders, glues, and moisture levels in order to find the best concrete compound for each type of jewelry.
For example, a larger piece may require lighter concrete to maintain a comfortable weight, while a more delicate piece with a thin layer of concrete may need a stronger, denser concrete to prevent chipping. It took me approximately a year and a half of testing and experimentation to determine the best types of concrete for my concrete jewelry.
In addition to the concrete itself, the curing and finishing processes also play a role in the final appearance and feel of the necklaces, rings and earrings (here you will find an article about the surprises that creating with concrete hold). Overall, the process of finding the perfect concrete compound for each piece of jewelry was an enjoyable and rewarding journey of exploration and experimentation.
It is an ongoing journey. I constantly keep trying and testing different compounds for different designs, so as to make sure the concrete used is the best fit for different designs; making them as strong and lightweight as possible.
Let me know if you have any questions about the process of making concrete jewelry. I am always happy to answer any question regarding the process. I even hold workshops in which I teach how to make concrete jewelry.
Love,
Baara
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Hi there,
It's election day here in Israel.
None of the parties are an exact fit to my world view, so I had to make choices. I had to check my values, and consider each of them against the values of the possible parties from which I had to choose. It was about choosing the most important values. Those that will ensure a democratic compassionate future for our neck of the wood.
When designing a new piece of jewelry, I always go back to the core values of BAARA Jewelry.
If the jewelry I just created can be produced following these values, I go ahead and continue the process in which at the end I put it on the website and you guys can buy it. If not, it goes into the recycling bin. It's a hard decision to make, throwing away my creation, but an important one.
Mismatched Circle + Line Earrings. These recently made the cut and are available here.
I didn't realize I was intuitively doing that until today, when, for the first time in my life, I had to make a list to help me make a decision about the election (don't ask - Israeli politics in a mess at the moment).
So, what difficult choices have you had to make lately?
Love,
Baara
]]>What is minimalism?
Ever since I started designing minimal jewelry three years ago, I kept asking myself that question. Intuitively I knew what that meant, but it felt like I needed to further understand it in order to be able to fully stand behind the rather big announcement (for me at least) that BAARA Jewelry offers minimal jewelry designs.
In my journey to investigate what it meant to be offering minimal jewelry, I went to my friends and asked them what minimalism represented for them. I asked them to tell me what they thought minimalism meant. I wanted them to share with me their associations about this concept.
I was amazed at the amount of different answers I received and at the different perceptions of the concept as revealed by the various answers given to me. Here are just a few of the words and expressions I heard from them, in no particular order:
Sharp, cleanness, simplicity, quiet, spa, nature, industrial, brutalism, elementary, short lines, Japan, accuracy, purposeful, precision, reduction, bare, plain stick, sparse, lines, things that are not round / circular, black and white, contrast, precision, sophisticated, stinginess, full of itself, technology, uniqueness, innovation, saying a lot with little, the correct minimum is the maximum, cleanliness, simplicity, clean lines, shades of grey, micro cosmos, simplicity, concentration, the essence, a connection point: a central point, essential, that resides within the man and connects to the central point in the other man, curated, energy, outburst, the color white, straw, quiet, calm mind, serene, subject, a base for variations, simplicity and intelligence, the DNA of something, essence, clear -purification of a subject, lucidity, pure, abstract, freedom, emptiness, cleanliness of form, purity, quiet, serenity, accuracy, cleanliness, reduction, thought, emptiness, release, restrain, modern, modernism, bauhaus, cold, distant, clarity, touches the soul, symbol, outer reflection of something internal, luxury.
Not a minimal list at all!
This was three years ago. The concept of minimalism has become such mainstream since then that I believe that if I would ask the same question today, I would received double the amount of answers.
I think it is amazing that we each see something different in minimalism because it is a way of life, a philosophy and a design concept.
As for embracing minimal design - be it in our houses, clothes or jewelry. It's about noticing the details. The first words that come to mind when minimal design in concerned are subtle, quiet, sophistication, and quality. Since minimal design has to be very well made in order to be good it requires a second look, so minimal lovers tend to develop an attention to details, and a preference of quality over quantity.
What is the first word that pops in your mind when you think about minimalism?
Are you a minimalist in your design choices?
Love,
Baara
*Photo credit - Baara Guggenheim
]]>Hi friends,
I don't know if you have noticed, but lately I have been publishing on social media photos of myself wearing the jewelry I design and make. This was an important decision for me, for many reasons, so here is the story of my first photo shoot. I hope you find it inspiring.
One Saturday, almost a year ago, when it was still hot as hell outside, I left my beloved Jerusalem for the day and headed out to Tel Aviv for a little jewelry photo shoot.
This was a big deal, since it made me face a fear I have been harboring since my teenage years.
Rationale
"I am not pretty enough", "I am not photogenic", "My body is not perfect enough", "I am too shy", "I don't know how to stand in front of a camera". These are only some of the phrases that swirled in my head. I would avoid having my picture taken as much as possible. Over the years, another aspect was added: "I am no longer 18. All those wrinkles...".
It was the same when I was 25, 30, 35, or 40 years old. It was only when I turned 44 that I decided it was time to face this issue. The issue of body image and self love is important. It is important to me, since, obviously, it stopped me from fully enjoying life. But more importantly it is important to all women. Only if we discuss it, and work together to change how women view themselves, and love themselves, will we make a difference. I decided that my small contribution would be to pose for the camera, at 44, just as I am, and post the photos, along with the story behind them online.
Preparations
I borrowed clothes from my studio partner ADI YAIR that go well with the geometric jewelry I intended to shoot, put on some mascara (just mascara, no other makeup, just like I would do on any other day), chose some lovely necklaces, delicate earrings, and geometric rings I wanted to shoot and we were ready to go.
It was a hot day, and the sun was harsh, but the light yellowish and lovely, so it was totally worth it.
We went to the lovely neighborhood of Neve Zedek. The oldest neighborhood of Tel Aviv, found a lovely old wall with a Wabi-Sabi feel to it and started shooting in front of it.
Shooting
I was uncomfortable at first, but since I was fortunate enough to have a photographer that knew how to make me laugh and relax, it got better as we progressed.
To ease me into the process we started with long necklaces. I am rather comfortable with this part of my body so it helped me relax. We moved on to earrings. A little trickier for me, but to make sure we get a good photo of the earring I needed to look aside. That was easier than to look strait at the camera.
We were half way through. Yey!
Next up - rings. Why is shooting rings on my hand such a big deal? Well, here is the thing. I have the hands of someone that works with her hands. Not the delicate, manicured hands of an office employee. Plus, I am not much of a manicure lover, and finally, I am 44 years old and my hands show my age.
As it turns out, the shot I like most from this photo shoot is this one - of the Asymmetrical Circles Concrete Ring on my far from perfect hand, with the grey nail polish I applied myself that morning.
The last items to shoot were short necklaces. Umm... No way to avoid it. That was it. My face was going to be shot. And you know what? It was o.k. I survived and even liked the photos. I was happy, and the photo shows just that. A happy person.
After
Once I downloaded the photos to my computer so I could edit them and looked through them I was ecstatic. They were so good! It was so liberating to look at them and realize that it was over, I did it! I had my picture taken from all angles and loved what I was looking at, wrinkles and all. That is me. That is who I am, and there was no reason to hide myself.
Since then, there were more photo shoot sessions. After I started, there was no reason to stop.
Are you like me? Do you dread the camera? When you look at all the commercials, with the young models, with their perfect faces and perfect bodies, do you compare yourselves to them? We should all stop doing that. The world is full of beauty. Every one of us is beautiful in their own way and it should show it. Help me spread the love. Help other women feel good about themselves by showing them you feel good about yourself. Wear something you like, put on your favorite jewelry, put on some make up or don't, smile, and take a selfie, or have a friend take your picture. Then post it online. No special hashtag, no publicity, just being there, with all our diversity, will make a difference. Or so I hope.
And remember to enjoy the process, and appreciate yourself.
Love,
Baara
PS - Have you ever heard about the idea of body neutrality? Apparently it's an idea that first surfaced in 2015 but I just stumbled upon it now long after I finished writing this blog entry.
I first learned of the existence of this notion from this quote by Automn Whitefield-Mdrano via the wonderful lifestyle blog A cup of Jo. In an interview to the New York Magazine she says: " My problem with body love, beside the fact that it's a high standard, is it's asking women to regulate their emotions, not just their bodies." Whitefield-Mdrano, the author of Face Value: The Hidden Ways Beauty Shapes Women's Lives continues "I don't see the pressure on women really easing up, and then you're supposed to have this bulletproof self-esteem on top of all that. It's not something we can really live up to. Body love keeps the focus on the body. The times I'm happiest are when I'm not thinking about body at all."
The headline of a recent article in Bustle summarizes the essence of the movement: "What Is Body Neutrality? The Growing Movement Teaches That You Don't Have To Love Your Body All Of The Time."
I tend to agree. As a highly critical and aesthetic person I tend to be harsh on myself, so loving everything about me all the time would be hard work, and pretty much impossible. But liking specific parts, being content with who I am and shifting focus from my looks to other aspects sounds like a practical plan. I'm in!
Although I wrote this post a few month ago, it took me a while to post it. So even thought I discovered the idea of body neutrality and kind of agree with it, I decided to publish my original words, and add this end note to it. This was my process then. I still believe in it now. I believe that coming to terms with my body is a process that will happen if I put myself out there, and that the idea of body neutrality is possible only thanks to the fact that all sorts of women are being seen on social media.
And if you are not happy with something in the photo, just crop it out ;-).
*All the photos in this article were shot by Ishisan.
]]>In this photo: me wearing the Long Bar Necklace. Photo credit: Ishisan.
I have been practicing slow living for several year now, but only lately have I felt comfortable enough to start publicly discussing it. Slow living has connections to all aspects of my life, and since I am here to discuss jewelry I will share with you one of the connections I find between jewelry and slow living.
Slowing down as a way of life. As a way of looking at nature, at life itself, at our inner world. We all know that the little moments, an unexpected kiss from our child in the middle of the day, the first drop of rain on our arm, or the smile we exchanged with a stranger on the street, are what makes our day, an ordinary day, one without grand successes or dramatic failures, a good day. These are the moments that make up our routine and brightens it up.
Wabi-Sabi is also about slowing down and appreciating every moment and every object that surrounds us. We need to slow down and look around at the little details. Slowing down enables us to live in the present, experience and appreciate the aesthetic that surrounds us as at any given moment if we just pay attention. It also allows us to appreciate the cycle each object goes through. Nothing stays new forever. On the contrary, it is the changes that makes objects interesting, that gives them character.
In this photo: the Singet Concrete Ring. Photo credit: Ishisan.
It is the action of choosing to wear a certain piece of jewelry that makes it yours. It is how you turn it into a part of you. It is about slowing down and paying attention to what you are wearing and how it affects you. Every time you wear a necklace, or a ring, you are reminded of the experiences of the previous times you wore it, of the occasion for which you bought it or received it, and so it retains new, deeper, meaning. It becomes part of your experience, of who you are. Changing, just as you yourself change. It changes both physically, through the contact with your skin and the environment that surrounds you, as well as spirituallyת retaining new memories. It becomes part of the identity you present to the world and to yourselfץ It becomes part of your story. Wearing a necklace, a ring, or an earring, over and over again, for years and years, turns it into part of the personality you choose to show to the world, part of who you are.
In this photo: the Peekaboo Square Concrete Necklace. Photo credit: Baara Guggenheim.
Concrete jewelry changes over time and use. It happens differently for each one of us. That means it changes its surface as well as the meaning it holds for you and serves as a reminder of the changes we went through, of the way we got stronger, overcame obstacles. It carries happy memories of smiles and laughs, of special occasions and sweet, everyday moments. It holds the memory of the little moments that life is made of. Even if just through that little smile we smiled at ourselves in the mirror before we start our day.
So... how will your jewelry change?
What color will the concrete in it will become?
What tiny scratches will make it even more personally yours?
And what will be the experiences that will make all that happen. What will it remind you of?
Love,
Baara
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In my journey to understanding minimalism I mapped the elements by which we can measure a good minimal design: Balance, space, details, form and function.
It is about simplicity along with sophistication.
To learn more, continue reading.
Minimalism is all the rage at the moment. Some would say it is so trendy that it is on its way out to be replaced with Maximalism.
I think this prediction is wrong - In my opinion minimalism is here to stay. It may take different forms and variations, but since its core values are so right in today's busy life, allowing us quiet and helping us find peace I predict it will continue to be a strong influence for a long time.
Minimalism, is right for us because by reducing the noise to a minimum, we are able to focus on what's important. We are able to pay attention to detail, and evaluate quality.
The Origin of Minimalist Design
Minimalism started as an art movement after the second World War, and in visual arts was most influential in the 1960s-1970s in the United States.
In design and architecture, one of the most famous architects that created minimal design was Mies van der Rohe who's famous "less is more" phrase conveys one of the most important elements of minimal design. It was true then, and still is today.
When trying to look further back, in search of the influences on modern minimalist design, a major one is certainly Japanese Zen. From the Zen concepts of simplicity, that transmits the ideas of freedom and essence of living, looking into objects to reveal their inner quality and true essence. Through the voids between objects in the Zen garden, the appreciation of the everyday simple objects of the Wabi-Sabi through which the character of materials is revealed, and even the Ikebana flower arrangements.
What is minimal design?
When it comes to design, minimalism is about simplicity, about finding the core, the essence. Stripping down decorations and embellishments so that we are left with a pure object - either in terms of functionality or aesthetics, or better yet, of both.
While reducing the design to a few lines, what we are doing is deciding what is absolutely necessary. What is the core of the object (or, in my case, the piece of jewelry). It requires the designer to pay extremely close attention to details. To make sure the different elements, colors and textures are organized in the most beneficial way, that the size is just right, the length, the texture, all of it - it needs to be exact, and the execution of the design also needs to be perfect.
In my case, sometimes it means it takes me several rounds of design of a single piece of jewelry to get it just right. I have a box full of failed attempts of jewelry that, as beautiful as they may be, are not entirely "right". Too big, too small, have a line that could be 1 mm lower or higher or thicker or thinner. You get the idea. What can I say, I am a perfectionist :-).
There a few elements by which we can measure a good minimal design:
Balance, space, details, form and function.
Balance
Visual balance is a key component is minimalist design. The proportions between the various parts of the jewelry should please the eye and feel quiet, natural. Even when we don't know why it is so natural, it simply feels right.
This happens when some basic rules of design are followed. A few examples of design considerations:
Space
In minimalism, what is not there plays a major role in the minimal design.
The space around forms and objects allow for certain elements to stand out, drawing the eye to them.
So, a hole can be an actual element in minimal design. The void is just as important as the line that creates it.
Details
The amount of attention we are able to devote to our surrounding is limited so the more busy an object is, the less attention we give to its details.
A minimal design, on the other hand, enables us to appreciate details and nuance.
Is the texture of the silver sleek and shiny or satin matte? Is the concrete smooth or textured? Are the lines aligned perfectly or at an angle? Is there texture to the metal? What type of texture?
This is why minimal design has to be well designed, and well made. There is no room for mediocrity as minimal design means we will notice every aspect of the jewelry or object.
Form and Function
In minimalism, form and function play equally important roles. The function of a piece - be it a piece of jewelry, an everyday object or even a room design, is a basic element of the design.
Take a ring for example.
It is a hand ornament. Its purpose is to decorate the hand, while showing the style of the person that wears it.
Everyday rings should be comfortable, easy to wear. Special occasion rings can be dramatic, have a wow factor. They can be bigger too.
Look at these two rings - Both are minimal. Both have one main form that is the basis of their design, yet one is clearly a statement ring - one that cannot be ignored, and the other is an everyday ring to be worn to upgrade an outfit in an understated way.
This is because the function of each of the rings was considered during the design process, with a single form in mind for each of them.
Simple sophistication
Simplicity is one of the basics of minimal design, yet it is considered sophisticated, because it requires an eye that is aware of details, and an appreciation of quality over quantity.
For many, it is closely tied to minimalism in life. At least that's the case for me.
Is it like that for you as well?
Love,
Baara
P.S. - Do you have a question about my design process or my manufacturing process? Ask away. Either as a comment or in an email. I would love to know.
Note to self - Have you heard of the Postminimalist art movement? It's a 1970s thing in which basically, any artist that created with some kind of relation to the minimalist art the preceded his/her art can be considered a postminimalist artist. The interesting thing as far as my work is considered is that one of the emphasizes of Postminimalist art was about process and handmade. I really want to look into it further...
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]]>Minimalism requires precision. It is about making choices. Spring cleaning is an opportunity to purge our homes form unnecessary clutter. Here is may way of doing so and how I benefit from it.
]]>Introduction
Hi,
Since minimalism is such an important part of my life. Both in my personal life and in my design process, I thought I would share a few thoughts about it. I have so much to say about this subject that it will probably end up being a series of blog posts, in which I will discuss various aspects of this enormous subject.
So here goes...
What is minimalism?
Minimalism requires precision. It is about making choices. It is about researching our needs, our way of life, and finding what are things we love and need. It is only when we understand ourselves, our physical and emotional needs as well as those of the people around us, that we can make educated choices. Only then we are able to chose the right thing for us, instead of surrounding ourselves with more and more objects, trying to fulfill imaginary needs, when all they actually do is created emotional and visual clutter.
The Benefits of Minimalism
Being exact about what I needed and pursuing a minimal way of life help me live a happy and satisfying live. Minimalism, when achieved thoughtfully creates welfare and happiness. It lets us have more space and resources that we can invest in the things that are important to us. Minimalism frees time for the people around us - because we have less noise in our souls, and because we have more time we used to spend on organizing our stuff over and over again. It also allows us to invest time in hobbies and experiences - because we spend much less time and money on stuff we actually didn't really need.
Minimalism - the Jewish way. Or, Spring Cleaning as a Chance to Execute Minimalism
In many cultures, there is a tradition of spring cleaning. In Jewish tradition, we take it to the extreme, as there is a religious law that requires that no "hametz" be found or seen around us for the week of Passover ("Hametz" is food prepared from five species of grain–wheat, barley, oats, spelt, and rye–that has been allowed to leaven). In order to be sure there isn't even a grain left, we clean our houses like crazy, which is an opportunity to purge our surroundings. Even non religious people (like me) use this time of year to do a thorough cleaning of our house. For me, it is also a chance to go over all of my stuff and decide on their fate Kon Mari style. I lead a rather minimal life as it is, but still manage to accumulate so much stuff! So I go over my closet and take out any clothes, books, toys, plates, etc. that I did not use in the last year, or that do not make me happy anymore and donate them. I am always amazed at the quantity of things I am able to rid myself of, and always feel lighter at the end of the process.
The Effect of Minimizing
After this purging process, which can be tedious at times, when my house is as clean as it can be, and my closets airy I can see all my belongings, and therefore use them all. The fact that I have less stuff that is well organized gives me peace. This peace also enables to me to see if there is something that I miss, if there is something that I would like to purchase. Because, you see, I am not an extremist. I like to buy new things. It feels good to have new things, to indulge oneself. The trick is to get, either for yourself or as gifts, things that are really special. Find the dress, necklace, book, clock, whatever... that will make you, or the recipient of the gift happy for a long time. It should be of good quality so it can last, and have something unique about it, so it will stand out from the rest.
The Unavoidable Pitch
Since, after all, I am a jewelry designer, I hope you will find this one piece, that special ring, necklace, earring, or bracelet, in my shop. Get it for yourself, or gift it to someone you love, so you or them can enjoy them for many years.
Love,
Baara
]]>Hi there,
Finally. It's here. A long overdue new concrete jewelry collection.
The timing
This collection took its time to appear. I created the first pieces of it almost a year ago, and still, I hesitated with the launch, took my time. I tested each piece for durability and comfort by wearing them myself, letting friends and family wear them and report back to me on their experience. Only now, when I am 100% sure each necklace, ring and earring will sustain heavy use and stay as beautiful as on the first time they were worn, I am putting them out into the world for everyone to enjoy.
The inspiration
If I had to describe the square concrete collection in two words they would be: Urban elegance. Its lines are thin, parallel, exact, and together with the concrete inlay, form contemporary jewelry pieces that are both elegant and urban.
This new collection was inspired by the urban landscape. Its strait lines and square forms owe their origin to the urban environment of buildings, roads, crossroads, electricity poles, and fences. It is also inspired by architectural plans that have all these lines and forms that are the basis for what will eventually become someone's home.
The materials
The minimal necklaces, rings and earrings in this collection are handmade of precious metals and a special blend of super hard and durable lightweight concrete. The contrast between the subtle shine of the metal and the matte surface of the concrete adds an aspect of uniqueness to the geometry of the jewelry. Also, since concrete cures and ages differently every time depending on how it is used, each piece turns out a little different from the other, and becomes unique to its owner.
The geometric jewelry in this collection include understated jewelry as well as elegant statement pieces to suit a variety of ages and outfits so you are sure to find one that suits your lifestyle.
The process
They are each lovingly handmade with a lot attention to detail by me and my assistant in my Jerusalem studio, placed in a beautiful box, wrapped, and sent to you ready to use or gift.
The user
Most pieces are designed for women, but like in all my collections, I also designed some pieces that are unisex, so men can enjoy the beauty of concrete jewelry as well.
So, I invite you to explore this collection, find the one you like best and treat yourself or a loved one with a unique piece of urban wearable art.
Love,
Baara
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In this photo: the orbit concrete necklace in gold. Photo credit: Baara Guggenheim
I designed this minimal necklace when my sister finally got pregnant. She tried to get pregnant for a long time, so it was a big moment.
As cliché as it may be, motherhood is very important to me. It changed my life. It transformed me as a person and made me grow and become a better person. It still does. It grounded me and made me a much less selfish person. The challenges of motherhood make me check my goals in life, my beliefs and my behavior on a daily basis. It is the most important role of my life.
I must admit I loved being pregnant. I enjoyed every bit of it and cherished the new roundness of my body and the new phase that it brought with it. I think I glowed - just like people say. So when my sister got pregnant it made me very happy. She wanted to be a mother, and I knew she was going to be a wonderful one (as she was, and still is, the most amazing aunt in the world!).
In this photo: the orbit concrete necklace in silver. Photo credit: Ishisan.
As I am a designer, and my medium of self expression is creating jewelry, I made this concrete statement necklace in honor of that event. It features a round silver or gold circle, just like the round pregnant belly, with an inner concrete circle. It symbolizes womanhood and the central role we women take in bringing a new life into this world.
The concrete element of this geometric necklace, that symbolizes the new life, will be different in every necklace, as concrete cures differently every time. Just like every child is different and unique so will this necklace. The concrete will change over time and use, depending on how it is being used and worn, just like the impact a mother has on the life of her child.
It is meant to be worn long, close to the growing belly during pregnancy. After the new baby is born it serves as a reminder of that magical time when the woman cared for that new life just beginning to form, of the miracle of life. It reminds us women of our role in it, of how we became a family, and the job we still have of doing everything in our power to help this new person we brought into the world flourish.
In this photo: me, Baara, 10 year after my youngest son was born (I am wearing the orbit concrete necklace and the minimalist short silver circle earrings. Photo credit: Ishisan.
So, are there any expectant mothers in your life? Any new mothers you want to make happy?
Are you a mother? What was your pregnancy experience? How is motherhood treating you? What is the one thing about motherhood that you would share with an expecting mother?
Tell me in a comment. I would love to hear your story.
Love,
Baara
]]>
So, what is Wabi-Sabi? And why do I care?
Well, here is the what (I will get to the why after):
Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. When it comes to aesthetics, it is about the beauty of change, the beauty of the ordinary, of the small details. Thus making us appreciate the fluidity of life itself. Usually, when we think of Wabi-Sabi we visualize something rustic, unfinished or tainted, changed if you will, by time and the elements.
Take a look at the wall in this picture for example. Layers and layers of paint that were applied over several decades, which then started to peel off revealing the under layers. The very imperfection of the surface is what gives it its beauty.
In this photo: a corner at BAARA Jewelry studio. Photo credit: Baara Guggenheim.
So now we get to the why. Why do I care? why write an entire blog post about this topic?
Here goes. Since I work with cement to create concrete jewelry, I have to care. Concrete is a material that changes and evolves over time. It gets harder and sturdier, it gets darker, it may crack and break if not treated properly. Even at an earlier stage, when being cast, many elements influence its final look and feel. When taken out of its mold, each piece is different. Air bubbles trapped in the cast may cause little holes, the different materials used in the concrete mixture may cause differences between the final products, and so on.
This fluidity is one of the many reasons I love working with concrete. No one concrete necklace will be exactly the same as the other. Ever. And while wearing it, it will change, and become darker, smother to the touch. Making it unique to the person wearing it.
In this picture: 4 similar unisex concrete necklaces - 4 different colors and textures of concrete. Photo credit: Baara Guggenheim.
My jewelry is modern, minimal, geometric, extremely high quality, flawless.
That being said, the fact that the jewelry incorporates concrete, makes every piece unique, unrefined, quite the opposite of perfect. It adds a dimension to the jewelry that makes it more whole, and changes over time and wear.
This contrast between perfection and imperfection is what makes the jewelry unique.
And another thing, one of the characteristics of Modernism, as well as Wabi-Sabi is to let go of anything that is not essential, so that all that is left is the pure essence. So in a way, these are not contrasting aesthetics, but rather complementing ones.
The fact that Wabi-Sabi also reminds us that the world is in constant change due to deterioration and evolution has a lot to do with any material. Concrete is a natural material. Once it has been cast, it is constantly changing. It does not stay as perfect as it was, it gets darker, wares down, cracks, gets smoother, but also gets stronger, sturdier, and more durable due to the bonds created between the molecules of cement and water.
Metals, are conceived as sturdy, unchanging materials, but they change too. Their colors change. Silver, for example oxidizes and gets darker over time, a matte metal surface becomes shinier, and vice versa, tiny scratches on the metal turn shiny surfaces matte.
All of these aspects make the jewelry unique to its owner, depending on their lifestyle, and personal use.
In this photo: close up of a GEM concrete necklace with gold colored leaf. photo credit: Baara Guggenheim.
On a side note - in my exploration of the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic concept, I looked for ways to make it even more present in my work. And that is how I came to use gold and silver colored leaves to partially cover the concrete. Here too, in each case, it comes out a little differently, resulting in one of a kind pieces that are truly aesthetically Wabi-Sabi.
For me personally, exploring the Wabi-Sabi aesthetics, allowing, and even embracing imperfections in surface and texture, was a very important process. I tend to embrace minimalism, in life and design, and I am drawn to geometric shapes, that are clean lined by nature. So employing materials that force me to relax and accept surprises and change, was and still is, a big lesson for me. One I am trying to take beyond designing jewelry into life itself.
So, what about you? What are your feelings towards the Wabi-Sabi aesthetics? Do you like it? What things do you own that can be perceived as having a Wabi-Sabi vibe?
And what do you think about the philosophy behind it? Are there aspects in your life that could benefit from letting change take its course and guide you rather than trying to control the results?
I am really curious. Let me know in a comment.
Love,
Baara
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Hi friends,
Since I am working with my hands all day long, and am proud that one of the core values of my business is the meticulous handmade process, I am often faced with issues regarding mass production vs. handmade small series process.
This issue was the beginning point of an exhibition I presented in collaboration of my studio partner Adi Yair (a weaver and fashion designer) at the Design week of Jerusalem 2018 last month.
We asked ourselves several questions:
Left photo - general view of the exhibition and experience station.
Right photo - a glimpse into Adi's process.
Both me and Adi combine traditional processes along with unconventional materials and processes to create modern, minimal products that are far from being traditional. We decided to concentrate this exhibition on our process, thus enabling the visitor a glimpse into the handmade process of a modern maker.
That's me - going through so many photos, images and even tools and materials to decide how to best present my handmade process.
For me, it was about showing the various stages of designing and making my concrete jewelry. Starting from the inspiration, which sometimes finds its way into my Instagram account, and can definitely be seen in the enormous amount of boards in my Pinterest account.
After that, there are sketches, and then I start playing with metal, usually silver. I cut it, sand it, twist it, fold it, solder it, then sand it again, and again. If I am happy with the result, it is then time to cast the concrete into it. Then I wait for it to cure before I can move on to the next stage, which is yet again... sanding. This time, of the concrete parts.
(If you would like to learn more about combining concrete in jewelry check out this blog post.)
A closer look into parts of the exhibition.
As part of the exhibition, we put up a station where visitors could experience for themselves working with metal and weaving. It was interesting to see the various ways people expressed themselves through these two mediums, especially children. I still haven't decided what to do with the end result of the experiment.
One of the younger visitor at the exhibition leaving their mark on the brass plaque. Photo by Ricky Rachman.
In my opinion, a key element that made this exhibition so special was the fact that it was presented in the actual space where the work is happening, so in a way, the studio itself - Adi's loom, my work bench, the concrete station, the various tools and even the mess on my table - were part of the exhibition and of the experience.
Although the exhibition is officially over, we decided to leave parts of it on the walls of the studio, so if you are ever in Jerusalem, feel free to stop by (call/email or text first to make sure I am there) and prepare to be inspired :-).
Love,
Baara
]]>In an attempt to answer these questions I created a short video documenting the process of adding concrete to silver and gold jewelry.
]]>Working with unconventional materials makes it perfectly normal that I get asked a lot of questions about my process.
In an attempt to answer these questions I created a short video documenting the process of adding concrete to silver and gold jewelry.
So welcome into my world - here is a peek behind the scene of how the jewelry is made:
I am always happy to let people into my creative world. Have any other questions about the process, jewelry, or just want to say hi? Send me a not here: baara@baarajewelry.com.
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