Surreal clay jewelry

Bone cat brooch

When I first saw jewelry by Ukrainian designer Lera Procopets who works under pseudonym Valeria Myrusso I experienced mixed feelings; her creations are surreal, sometimes a bit disturbing or even creepy (in her collection you can find, for example, a crow skull pendant or bone phalanges hairpins) but nevertheless strangely beautiful and mysteriously appealing. Lera often gets inspired by fairy tales, myths and legends and so, images of many odd creatures appear on her jewelry. She works with polymer clay, coral, semiprecious stones, shells, metal though some of the details she simply finds at flea markets. Each piece of her handcrafted jewelry is unique, there are no replicas or duplicates in her collections.

Jewelry by Dashi Namdakov: totemic animals and mythological creatures

Perhaps this name - Dashi Namdakov - is not familiar to you. He is a Buryat sculptor and a graphic artist, living in Russian Siberia near the Lake Baikal. In 2000 he became a sensation in the art world. His works are unique and original, they are inspired by the traditions of the people of Siberia, Buryat legends and tales, and ancient art of China and Japan. But what I want to show you today is his jewelry. It is as unusual and original as his sculptures and resembles historical artifacts. He balances both traditional and non-traditional materials, such as silver, gold and mammoth tusk, in one piece, finishing it with colorful precious stones. Inspired by ancient amulets and talismans thought to bring luck or defend from evil, the artist’s wild birds and animals, insects and anthropomorphic creatures have a distinctly unique style.