From Designer Beth Kurson:
The design work from the Victorian era (early 1900′s), was amazingly creative. There was an abundance of gold filled, rose gold and white base metal used in past pieces which have a natural, soft and uniquely antique quality about them. I am especially drawn to pieces that were etched with a floral or swirl like detail in both texture and design. The beauty in many of the vintage pieces lies specifically in the fact that they were not created using 14k or 18k gold.
The marriage of old and new allows me to use my own creativity every time I design a piece. Each design is one of a kind. I search for vintage findings with a certain look, be it a beautiful pattern etched into the metal or a design that is reminiscent of what it must have been like to be a “fashionable” woman of the day. Loving fashion as I do, the idea of merging so many years together and extending the life of a piece of jewelry is fascinating and exceptionally rewarding.
When I work on a new design it always starts with something old. It might be a cut steel buckle, an antique locket (with black & white pictures still inside) or an old watch fob complete with chain. Each piece takes its own direction. It is as if I am following a mysterious path, never quite knowing where I will end up. Each journey is always exciting and uniquely different. There are times when I am drawn to create a more modern contemporary design incorporating semi-precious stones or pearls, whereas other times a new creation evolves out of entirely vintage pieces. This is where the real “fun” lies. Every piece is a new exploration creating its own unique puzzle. The process itself is intangible and yet completely dependent on the actual materials I am working with.
Enjoy the journey with me. Welcome to Kiki D. Design!
