“In 2006, Brooklyn native Randi Mates enrolled at the prestigious—and somewhat obscure—Jewelry Arts Institute in NYC. “They teach only ancient Greek and Roman techniques. You alloy your own gold and silver and use absolutely no power tools,” Mates says. “That was when jewelry began to take over my life.” Soon after, Aesa—the ancient Greek word for destiny—was born. From vertebrae-like brass necklaces to agate and quartz talismans resembling ink drops in water, each piece is created by Mates’ own hand. Although her inspirations are quite concrete—from medieval weaponry to walkie-talkies—Mates’ philosophy is more introspective: “I want people to see my jewelry like that beautiful something you find on a vacation you keep to remind yourself of the magnificence of the moment.”- ELLE
Notes to self: 1. must add “enroll in an ancient Greek/Roman jewelry making technique class” to the bucket list. 2. need some sort of crystal number around my neck, like, yesterday.
Aesa available at Barneys and here.
Photos: Aesa Machine de Terre collection
22 comments
Love those chunky necklaces!
http://fashionagony.blogspot.com/
love this. awesome!
xoxo
shea marie from http://cheyennemeetschanel.com
CHEYENNE MEETS CHANEL
vintage earth angel meets hollywood fashionista
xoxox
shea marie
inspirational.
we love your blog!
love love love the first one <3
http://herecomesthesun13.blogspot.com
Amazing necklaces; I definitely love them! Happy New Year Geri 🙂
I love Aesa!
I want to make jewels.
these are stunning. i love the vertebra-like piece.
In love.
xo Nadia
those are stunning, and the techniques to create them sound really hard.
http://pieceofpickle.blogspot.com
Ha I think I need to put that in my bucket list as well. Wow! it really looks amazing.
cool stuff!
missmollyfashions.blogspot.com
Love that necklace!
http://www.toindigo.blogspot.com
Love these x
I love unusual jewelry and this certainly is, love the necklaces!
http://peaceandloveand.blogspot.com/
They are very beautiful pieces!!
Georgie
xx
http://styleprincessdiaries.blogspot.com
I saw that necklace in Jumelle on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn a few months ago and ive wanted it ever since!! Unfortunately its out of my budget 🙁 So gorgeous though.
http://www.beautifulstreets.blogspot.com
amazing jewelry!
visit my blog 🙂
frenchwingss.blogspot.com
I am looking up the school now. I took some non-credit courses for jewelry design at FIT.
eyelovecosmetics.blogspot.com
havetogetlost.blogspot.com
these pieces are so fun. i neeeed. xx
devorelebeaumonstre.com
this is lovely and yes I agree on needing a piece of crystal around my neck… I love it!
xo
http://dragonfruit-samnegs.blogspot.com
Uhm, gorgeous.
That is all.
🙂
Hundy&Undy
i’m sure this was only an “excerpt” -AND BRAVO- you picked the perfect words to quote, verbatim. She’s obviously very passionate about jewelry.
I checked out her various collections…. YOWZA. She’s talented! I’m impressed and inspired.