Architectural Jewelry Drawing on years of design experience as an architect, Mary Martin uses her exceptional eye for composition to create this unique wearable art. Her striking jewelry has been exhibited in “Re-Mark,” a show for architects working in other design mediums, and has been sold throughout the United States and internationally. Martin first became interested in jewelry design watching her grandfather, who worked with metals as a hobby. That interest continued throughout her undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania, her architectural graduate work at Washington University, and while she established herself in the architectural field. Throughout that time, Martin fed her passion for jewelry design by producing one-of-a-kind commissioned pieces for local Chicago architects as well as other customers. Over the years, the demand for Martin’s commissioned pieces increased and as a result she recently decided to put her talent to work full-time by focusing exclusively on jewelry design. At her studio in Humboldt Park, Martin cleverly crafts a myriad of necklaces, earrings, and rings that are based on the design principles of some of Chicago’s most noted landmarks. Inspired by the towering likes of the John Hancock building and the Sears Tower as well as the curvilinear forms of Bertrand Goldberg’s concrete structures, Martin has created a unique and diverse line of jewelry. Now, she is pleased to feature a few of her distinctive pieces on Citystuff.com Chicago.

Curvilinear ornamentation. Swirling lines, abstracted curves, and sinuous shapes were the hallmark of the Art Nouveau period. It was during this period of sweeping flourishes that Chicago architect Louis Sullivan created the Carson Pirie Scott building (1899). With proportional magnificence and it's detailed naturalistic designs, this notable building (shown at left) reflects Sullivan’s type of expression of ornamentation layered with the structure and form. These sterling silver shapes and pearl accents lend themselves to a naturalistic ornamentation of the human structure in post earrings.

Our Price: $80,00    

Organic elegance. Molten sterling silver hand-pressed between two blocks of charcoal create this repeated geometric matte finish texture. The process is mainly a study of the forms and shapes created by nature. Even Frank Lloyd Wright took forms from nature and used them in an iterated pattern that gave "the natural" order and ornamentation (stained glass window from Wright's Unity Temple shown at left). Though Wright evolved away from direct ornamentation, we can't forget that he reasoned in terms of the nature of "organic" architecture, of connecting with nature and the landscape. In a small form and a big stretch, these earrings reminds us of the latent order and architecture of nature. With a shiny 14k gold ball centered on the silver, these earrings are each unique in their patterning. Available in dangle (shown in smaller image) or post (shown in larger image).

Our Price: $84,00    

Pooled gold. It was the famous Chicago architect Bertrand Goldberg’s program in Marina City (shown at left) and its associated forms that challenged the fundamental rule of the modern movement, which was, simply put, different forms for different functions. Just as Goldberg's curvilinear forms of Marina City meet the limpid pools of the Chicago river, so does the molten 14k gold in this pair of unique earrings. Really just an excuse to mention one of Martin’s favorite architects, these freshwater pearl accents with 14k gold splash and 14k gold post are good for any city with or without limpid pools. Coordinating necklace: See Gold Pearl Drop Necklace

Our Price: $144,00    

Ornamental forms. Much of the early phase of the Art Nouveau period focused on the plastic form, curved abstractions, and sinuous lines found in nature. The height of this phase of Art Nouvea was from 1893-1905 during which Louis Sullivan, a famous Chicago architect, created the Carson Pirie Scott building (1899). With proportional magnificence and it's detailed naturalistic designs, this notable building (shown at left) reflects Sullivan’s type of expression of ornamentation layered with the structure and form. Yet another reason to mention a great architect and another inspiration for studying the effects of molten metal poured into cool water to create a smooth sinuous form. This sterling silver necklace with a freshwater pearl accent lends itself to a naturalistic ornamentation of the human structure.

Our Price: $40,00    

Curvaceous accents. Based on the nuclear forms of Bertrand Goldberg’s Marina City structures (shown at left), which boldly defied the static, boxy forms of the Bahaus aesthetic, this gold and pearl necklace is as free-flowing and graceful as Goldberg’s curvilinear buildings. Freshwater pearl accent with 14k gold splash on a 14k gold chain. Coordinating earrings: See Gold Pearl Drop Earrings.

Our Price: $107,00