Are there new jewelry looks , really? I think so, if only because new jewelers are being born every day. When you get to be my age, you start looking out for something a little different, and start paying attention to the new kids on the block.

I’m not talking about big jewelry companies, but the individual artists. That’s where it all begins, even if you’re talking about a mega institution like Hello Kitty. Even that funny little cat was designed by an artist, probably working away at his or her studio somewhere in Japan.

But I’d like to focus for a minute on the artists who create their own work, and put their art and livelihood on the line when creating something new. I think being a working artist is one of the most important professions on the planet, whether jewelry artist or painter.

Have you ever heard of jewelry created from paper? How about a necklace made out of sugar solution, creating crystal-like clusters?

Many artists and designers live on the fringe of jewelry making. Their unusual efforts are admired by some, scoffed at by others and looked at with puzzled amusement by many. This is jewelry as an art form. No, it may not last as long as a diamond or shine as brightly as a ruby, but it can evoke an emotional response which certainly has its own reward.

Artists that experiment with non-traditional materials are being seen in many top art shows and galleries across the US. I think it’s wonderful to expand the horizons of what makes something art, and indeed what makes something jewelry!