Criscarfi jewelry makes enviornmentally responsible fashion statement

31 Jul '09

2 min read

In a sea of mass-marketed kitsch and disingenuous claims to be one-of-a-kind, the unique jewelry from Criscarfi Design truly is, says artist Pam Criscione. She has developed and launched a website to show that reclaimed concepts can result in a wealth of complex and compelling design possibilities.

The website launch is the distillation of an artistic point-of-view and a commitment to the environment. All of the pieces, which are essentially small collages that are worn around the neck, are created from cast-off elements, now more popularly called "reclaimed".

So much jewelry purports to be "one-of-kind" when in fact one design is reproduced over and over again, Criscione contends. "The interesting thing about reclaimed is that each piece must be created spontaneously, from random elements, so no piece or design can ever be duplicated. I never really know where the piece is going until it's finished."

Criscione originally worked in large collage format. While she searched for elements to use, she was drawn to jewelry remnants in thrift and vintage stores. "Our culture valorizes things simply because they're new and "perfect". I was always attracted to an object's history, and the story told in its imperfections: chips, cracks, patinas," In lauching Criscarfi website, Criscione hopes to show how reclaimed concepts celebrate those values and achieve two important ends: preserving the environment by recycling resources that already exist, and giving new life to the work of the artists and artisans who were part of creating the original pieces.

Criscione acknowledges that her work will never have mass appeal, nor does she want it to. Anybody can make a circle and stud it with diamonds. I believe people who have a more cerebral approach to their adornment, who have a singular style, value a signature a small unique work of art and are responsible about the use of our natural resources will enjoy visiting the website.

Criscarfi Design

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