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One of a Kind designers
Jewelry pieces by Susan Elizabeth Designs feature three-dimensional designs with crooked geometric shapes.
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Updated: December 30, 2012 6:11AM
Nestled among 600 artists at the 12th annual One of a Kind Show and Sale in Chicago will be local suburban designers with a shared flair for the unordinary.
Held Dec. 6-9 at The Merchandise Mart, the holiday bazaar features musical entertainment, artwork demonstrations, fashion shows and artisan food tastings in addition to ample opportunity to shop.
“You never know who’s going to be there,” said Western Springs designer Susan Elizabeth Gelbuda, who has displayed her namesake jewelry line at the show for the past six years.
Susan Elizabeth Designs feature sculptural pieces with crooked geometric shapes, inspired by the ancient art form of hollowware. Oxidized jewelry combined with gold and silver has been a hot seller this season, she said.
“I love the mix,” she said of contrasting the metals.
Alyse Ziede celebrates her 10th holiday jewelry collection with beads reminiscent of bubbly: champagne-colored crystals complemented by jet and gunmetal gray stones as well as strands of quartz crystal in a bright “holiday red.”
Crafted by hand in her Westchester studio, Ziede’s jewelry has been worn by celebrity actors and Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. She focuses on creating bold and delicate pieces rich in natural colors and textures.
“The biggest compliment I think I’ve gotten along the way is ‘I don’t wear jewelry but this is really pretty,’ ” Ziede said.
Because more often than not, she said, the once accessory-free woman walks away with a favorite new piece.
Environmental textile artist Sandra Adams’ latest clothing collection for her line The Nature of Things features vests, jackets, coats and dresses made from unwoven cloth.
Adams, of Indian Head Park, uses a primitive felt-making process to transform organic materials into fabric. The result is wearable art inspired by nature.
Adams said the beauty behind events like One of a Kind is the ability to observe her work interact with others.
“Touch, feel, play – there’s a lot of information that can be gleaned,” she said.
Tickets to the event are $12 and can be purchased at the door or online at oneofakindshowchicago.com. A portion of all sales benefit the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.~.
