Diamonds, Pearls, and Car Paint from Tamra Gentry
Playful, Elegant and Eco-Friendly Fordite Jewelry Collection Unveiled
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) November 30, 2009 -- Inspired by swirling color and all things nostalgic, jewelry designer Tamra Gentry launches her debut collection and new website featuring an exciting and exotic alternative material—vintage auto enamel.
This visually stunning collection features a relatively unknown recycled material—Fordite—also known as “Detroit Agate” and “Motor City Agate.”
Sterling silver, Fordite, yellow and blue sapphires
Fordite is the result of accumulated layers of vibrant enamel overspray from 70s era automotive painting processes.
However, because these processes have become much more efficient since then, overspray no longer occurs, and supplies of both rough and refined material are extremely limited, making Fordite valuable to collectors and earning it the title of “one of the rarest ‘gemstones’ in the world.”
A whimsical yet very elegant example of Tamra’s work includes “Boob-Tube,” a sterling silver brooch/pendant combination made to look like a vintage television set, embellished with yellow and blue sapphires, hanging from a black rubber cord.
A self-professed “stone whisperer,” many of Tamra’s handcrafted designs feature different jewelry fabrication techniques, making for a diverse collection of jewelry united by the common element of colorful and swirly Fordite.
She hand-makes everything from heavy forged cuff bracelets, to delicate beaded necklaces. She keeps all of her designs playful yet simple, so as to accentuate the beauty of each “stone.”
Pairing Fordite with precious metals and gemstones makes for an elegant, upscale and modern combination, and many of the pieces may be dressed up or down.
Her entire Fordite I Collection is an amazing aesthetic experience, and pieces range from $88 to $1,200. The collection includes jewelry and accessories for both men and women.
About Tamra Gentry:
Tamra Gentry is a gifted jewelry artist with a natural eye for design. She took an introductory workshop years ago from the Revere Academy, but she is primarily self-taught and has acquired exceptional skill in a number of different jewelry fabrication techniques.
Tamra holds a Bachelors Degree in physics, and after graduating in 1998 from Vanderbilt University with an Masters Degree in Education, she and her husband moved to Chicago so that she could attend the Art Institute of Chicago in Fashion Design.
However, thoughts about the practicality of a career in science got the better of her, and she ended up becoming the Assistant Director of the Space Science Center for Education and Public Outreach at DePaul University—a program funded by NASA.
It was after an SUV rollover on black ice while traveling through Indiana in 2003 that Tamra gained incredible clarity about the pursuit of her happiness. She decided that her passion was in being creative, so she left the university to pursue instruction in jewelry fabrication.
Colorful and inspired by whimsy, Tamra Gentry’s pieces are perfect for those who appreciate one-of-a-kind art jewelry that is completely handcrafted with amazing attention to detail.
Tamra specializes in turning gemstones into miniature works of art. Many of the stones she chooses to work with are cut by master lapidarists and have stunning colors, patterns, shapes and designs. She will be launching her Fordite II and StoneWear collections soon.
For an online portfolio, please visit www.tamragentrydesignstudio.com. For Hi-resolution images and media requests, please contact info (at) tamragentrydesignstudio (dot) com or phone 312.315.6672.
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