Kinetic jewelry, or how to release stress with style

My latest creation is a small series of unique kinetic finger rings, meant to be used as stress releasers or fidget jewelry. Each finger ring is unique, entirely handmade, with tiny natural gems on small bronze stems attached to the base. The gems move and jingle when the wearers moves or plays with them intentionally.

Several variants are available in my new Etsy shop, Ana's Colorful Jewelry.

The one in the video has been listed on my website, Atelierul de Istorie.

Nurnberg linocut by Goddess Gruia

The linocut section in my Goddess Gruia Etsy shop has just been enriched with a new item. This a special, large-size print inspired by a trip to Nurnberg. The preserved medieval elements of the city are outstanding, matching its fame during the Middle Ages. I was especially impressed by the rich urban houses in the typical Bavarian style, with their organic and decorative timber and daub outlook. It can be offered as a travel souvenir or a nice decorative print.

Nurnberg houses, large original linocut print, medieval architecture of Germany, decorative color print, unique historical Bavarian style

The linocut was made employing a special technique - one cut out plate fragment (for the yellow roof) and ink applied by roller and by hand (for the roof openings on the cut out fragment). Due to this technique, each print is unique, thus not numbered but marked as EA, epreuve d'artiste, author's test copy. I have used tones of dark brown, black and saffron yellow for a strong contrast. Signed and dated by the author.
Total (paper) dimensions: 31 x 40.5 cm.
Ready to send.
The print shall be sent unframed, rolled in a sturdy cardboard tube. If it becomes a bit curved upon arrival, please roll it in the other direction and leave it thus for one more day in the tube. It will straighten and be ready for framing.
Check it out in my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/584340303/nurnberg-houses-original-linocut-print

Tea and tobacco leaves - bookmarks on Etsy

Check out this item in my Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/listing/573607169/set-of-three-assorted-tobacco-and-tea.

These original, hand-pulled and hand cut linocut bookmarks are available in my second Etsy shop, the Transylanian Trove.

he idea was originally a collaboration with a tea shop in Sibiu, so I thought the decoration was ideal for such a context. I then extended the project and used the individual lino plates in other compositions as well and for small-size art projects such as this one.
The price refers to a set of three assorted items, if you have any preference based on the item pictures, do let me know, otherwise I shall randomly choose.

For more items, feel free to follow me on Twitter as well: https://twitter.com/PompiliaSoimos

Tobacco and tea leaf linocut bookmarks

New linocut by Goddess Gruia

Check out this new item in my Etsy shop, the Goddess Gruia https://www.etsy.com/listing/576488657/linocut-print-on-handmade-paper-medieval.

It is part of a small series of three unique linocut prints on handmade paper, depicting medieval houses on Buda Hill, in Budapest. Each print is singular through the combination of colors, as each ink is applied by finger and roller in various combinations, the ink have different consistency and texture, and some parts of the lino plate are second prints. The uncut edges of the paper contribute to the antiquated look of these unique prints. Entirely hand pulled.
Fell free to check my brand new Instagram profile as well: https://www.instagram.com/ana_maria_gruia/?hl=en

Medieval Houses on Buda Hill

Detail of linocut print

Detail of the above

 

Small series of linocut prints, before signature.

Variant 1 - available on Etsy

Variant 2

Variant 3

These works best reflect the description of my shop and style:

I am a weekend painter and it gives me great joy to go to the studio [aka Goddess Gruia's holy place, her Sancta Sanctorum] for the benefit of all, mostly myself.
My job is a great source of inspiration - working with historical artifacts and depictions allows me to research past techniques and the effects of time and patina. My profession is another advantage, as an art historian's eye is always receptive to aesthetic compositions and surfaces, even in everyday life.

Vintage felted flower

I am not a big fan of felted handmade decorations, because they are often kitschy through the too-realistic shapes and too strong colors and combinations. Still, I like simple felted slippers, for example, or a vintage flower in natural colors that I have just added to my Etsy shop, the Transylvanian Trove.

It is a felted flower in warm, autumn colors, irregular, organic shape, and intentionally asymmetric. It can be sewn on clothes, as a nice accessory, or can be attached with a pin (not included) and worn as a brooch. Possible decoration for several hair, feet, jewelry and dress accessories.
Unique vintage item from Transylvania, entirely handmade.
Dimensions: ca. 5 x 4 cm (1.5 x 1.9 inches).

Vintage felted flower

Felted decoration from Transylvania

 

New skull tooled leather wallet by the Proper Leather Studio

The Proper Leather Studio on Etsy has just remade one of its best selling models, a leather skull wallet entirely handmade. The bi-fold leather wallet is hand-dyed, in shades of dark brown dye and brown Gel Antique on the outside and dark brown and 6 dark brown side pockets for credit cards on the inside. The item is made of high quality veg-tanned leather,  subsequently protected with several layers of acrylic finish. Polished and waxed edges.

Natural leather wallet for men, skull wallet, handmade EDC leather, boyfriend husband gift, European card holder, Goth hand-tooled wallet

Outside: 1.6-2.0 mm (4 to 5 oz) single bend European hide
Inside: 1 mm (2.5 oz) calf hide
Folded measurements: 12 x 9.5 cm / 4.7 x 3.7 inches.
Slim enough to enter into your pocket.
Due to the high-quality leather and craftsmanship, this wallet will last good years of use. Nevertheless, do not submerge it into water and avoid acids and corrosives. Leather is not a waterproof material and if submerged, it absorbs water and might deform of loose some of the color. Cared for, it will only look better in time. Also, it needs to soften through wear a bit, to reach its optimal functions. 

 See the other wallets available - hooded skull and bucranium.

The studio is a family business, with me making the designs, transfers, cutting, and dyeing, and my husband managing the measuring, cutting, and sewing of the products. We like to make thing properly, thus every item has been cut, incised, tooled, dyed, sewed, and finished entirely by hand. We take our time in carefully crafting every single item so that it is both artistically pleasing and durable.

Imaginary street front from Cluj, Transylvania - linocut project

This large-size linocut work is part of a series imagining street fronts through the combination of my favored independent lino plates depicting architectural elements of my home town Cluj-Napoca (Transylvania, Romania): the Hintz House (The History of Pharmacy Collection, where I work as museographer), the Silversmith's House, the Dominican Church (in Museum Square), and the Tailors' Bastion, all in the center of the city. The separate plates are imprinted on black paper and the contours of the buildings are subsequently stressed in silver.
This is a unique, original work, signed and dated by the author, Ana-Maria Gruia. It is available online in my Goddess Gruia Etsy shop HERE. A 20% discount is also available until the end of March 2017, using the coupon code SPRING.

Due to the work's size, the best way to send it is in a cardboard tube, and you will be able to frame it according to your taste and budget :) As all graphic works, it is best framed in a simple, square section frame, but it can also be turned into a sofa-size painting by adding a generous passepartout and a flamboyant golden or silver frame.
Dimensions: 24 x 67.5 cm (9.4 x 26.5 inches)

 

Large linocut, Imaginary street front by night in Cluj-Napoca, original art from Transylvania, Romania, architectural scene, Goddess Gruia

Detail with the Silversmith's House from Cluj-Napoca, linocut by Ana-Maria Gruia

Detail with the Dominican Church in Cluj-Napoca, linocut by Ana-Maria Gruia

Detail of the Hintz House in Cluj-Napoca, linocut by Ana-Maria Gruia

Oriental car mirror charm

The Transylvanian Trove on Etsy is very active. Yet another new item was recently added, starting a new category as well - car jewelry.

The chic rear view mirror jewelry is decorative and fun, easy to attach to your car's mirror with the elastic loop. It can included in the boho style car blings, as it is composite, asymmetrical and moving. It includes several beads and elements made of coffee bean trivia shell, bamboo coral, bone, silver, leather and plastic - the main charm depicts a Chinese letter, but there are other protective elements as well: the mix itself, distracting the evil spirits, the color red of the coral and the soft jingle it produces.
A great accessory for your car or an inspired gift for someone else's!
Length: 10 cm (4 inches) 

Oriental car mirror charm, rear view bling, car mirror jewelry, boho handmade ornament, silver, leather, coral, bone, shell, Transylvania

Car charm by the Transylvanian Trove on Etsy

Bratislava - miniature city scape by Goddess Gruia

Goddess Gruia is Transylvanian, but she appreciated central Europe to a comparable degree. Slovakia is one of the places most resembling her home and Bratislava provides, unsurprisingly, a very familiar and welcoming scenery. One of the several artworks inspired by these parts has just been added on Etsy, in the Goddess Gruia shop: Bratislava scene.

Bratislava scene, miniature painting acrylic on cardboard, architectural unique painting, Central Europe, original art, small gift, home art

Tiny acrylic painting, depicting the architecture of Bratislava. It was inspired by my love for both urban architecture and Slovakia in general, typical for Central Europe.
This small painting can be framed according to your taste (and budget :) and shall brighten any corner of your home.
Dimensions: 7 x 8 cm (2.7 x 3.1 inches)  

There is also a season reduction available, of 20%, using the coupon code SPRING (can be used until the end of March).

Hammered metal tree-shaped earrings

The Transylvanian Trove on Etsy has been enriched with yet another pair of art earrings for sale: tree-shaped earrings made of hammered common metal alloy. These lovely designed vintage earrings were made in Transylvania, Romania. The unique earrings in question are handmade, out of cut and hammered common metal plate, with metal hooks. They are slightly curved, and this detail renders the pair very chic and with a 3D effect.
Dimensions: 3 x 3 cm (1.1 x 1.1 inches)
Ready to wear. 

Tree earrings, hammered metal earrings, vintage retro jewelry, art earrings, designed and entirely handmade in Transylvania, Romania

Medium size vintage metal earrings

3D effect

Se the other one-of-a-kind earrings in the Transylvanian Trove HERE.

New amulet necklaces -crepundia

Roman children wore necklaces with small toys, shiny stones, jingles and a mix of various elements and beads in order to protect them against evil spirits and harm in general. The fashion was based on the ancient belief in the supernatural. Inspired by these unique pieces of jewelry, I have created a series of necklaces with charms, semi-precious stones, shells, glass beads, bone and different parts, asymmetrical and fun, on natural leather, colorful strings.

More can be found at Atelierul de istorie and several are available on Etsy:

- ancient charm

- crepundia necklace

- amulet necklace

cristal bead, glass beads, shell, wood, bronze separators

bronze snake, bone, glass, wood

coconut, bronze snail shell, bronze leaf, glass

bronze leaf, glass beads, green semi-precious stones

camel bone, shell, wood

Lapis Lazuli

shell, glass, bone, and bronze

 

 

Celtic knot leather cuff

The latest creation of the Proper Leather Studio is a Celtic knot leather cuff in black and yellow with intricate details. The cuff bracelet is made of high quality veg-tanned leather (1.6-2.0 mm (4 to 5 oz) single bend European hide.). It is entirely handmade, from pattern transfer to incision, tooling, dying, and finishing. The background was dyed by sponge and the pattern with a small brush. As for the finish, the bracelet is protected with several layers of acrylic finish (sheene and resolene) and the edges and back are polished and waxed. The closing system of choice is with leather lace as it allows for a good fitting on almost all wrist sizes and is not uncomfortable to wear as metal snaps usually are.

The online temple of Goddess Gruia

Goddess Gruia is the only living goddess, from the mythical land of Transylvania. She is the patron of asymmetry, self-love and self-irony, peace, women museographers, hypochondriacs, slave reenactors, women artists, fat ballerinas, small business owners, tile stoves and many other groups of people, abstract concepts, and things ! 

Goddess Gruia - cult image, available as contact relic at the temple

Her cult focuses on her online temple - the Etsy Shop of the same name and on her Sancta Sanctorum, the inner chamber where she actually touches pieces of art that become contact-relics.

 Temple sign

Buy such pieces of original art and you will immediately feel the benefices. You will love and accept yourself as you are, you will work hard for small money but you will enjoy your job, you will feel the urge to visit pharmacy museums, you will be peaceful and creative, though not able to draw a straight line, your stove will never malfunction, and the world will generally seem a happier place!

 Amuletic depiction of Goddess Gruia, soon to be made available at the temple

For more details on the goddess, how to worship her, and the analysis of this fascinating new phenomenon of popular religiosity, wait for the monograph that is currently under print!

 

Mjolnir wallet

Our latest Etsy item is a special product, that we chose to feature on the cover of the Proper Leather Studio shop. It is a bi-fold handmade leather wallet with the Mjolnir, Thor's hammer, as tooled motif (folded measurements: 12 x 9.5 cm / 4.7 x 3.7 inches). This item is made of high quality Veg-tanned leather and completely handmade (no machines were used). The leather is hand dyed and protected with several layers of acrylic finish, with polished and waxed edges.

The decoration is the result of a lengthy process: the pattern was incised on the wet outer side, then incised and tooled. After drying, the relief was blocked with three successive layers of leather sheene. The background was painted with black leather dye and then leather Gel Antique (saddle tan, aka orange) was applied and partially rubbed off the entire surface. The technique allows for special effects that stress the relief and and add depth to any tooled details.