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Belle Brooke

Artist Statement

The circle is a universal symbol of flow, life force, cycle, and interconnection. The circle is the beginning and the end, the empty and the full, it is everything and it is no-thing-ness, it never ends and it never begins. So much of life is a circle – the Earth and planets, the sun, the moon, the universe, tiny particles, a drop of water, a floating bubble. Sometimes we forget that we are all of it, the light and the dark, we are connected to the Earth, to the Universe, and to each other. The circle reminds us of oneness and that we can never fall out of it, that we are everything and nothing all at once.

Each piece embodies the essence of this concept through the use of a signature circular filigree matrix that I created and have been refining since 2005. It is organic in nature and encased in hard edge frames that bind it. Using color and contrast in the metal, as well as negative space, colored gemstones and diamonds, each piece engages those who gaze upon it. Some pieces are of abstract shapes and designs and some are earthly elements. Each piece is to be worn as a modern talisman, to remind us of what we are and know that at any moment we can click our heels and be home within ourselves, and that we are always connected to the vast, wild, and infinite universe.

 

A Commitment to Craft

Everything at Belle Brooke Designs is made using traditional tools and techniques, with human hands. I am passionately committed to maintaining our heritage of craft.

 

Biography

Belle Brooke Barer established Belle Brooke Designs in 2006 upon her return to Los Angeles. Born and raised in Houston, Tx, Barer ventured westward in 1997 to attend Pitzer College in Claremont, Ca. Her studies at Pitzer concentrated in various mediums of studio art, focusing mainly on photography. After moving north to the San Francisco bay area, she began her jewelry studies at The Crucible in Berkeley, Ca, and later attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco, where she received her professional certification as a goldsmith. After completing her studies she worked for Studio 311 as a bench jeweler. Belle has been the recipient of various awards most notably the AGTA Spectrum awards in 2012 and 2018, the Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year award in 2008, and the Halstead Grant in 2007. She currently makes her home in Santa Fe, Nm.

Lady wearing hand made jewelry

Selected Jewelry Exhibition

2012       Design Works Gallery, Winter Contemporary Jewelry Show, Galveston TX
2011        Design Works Gallery, Winter Contemporary Jewelry Show, Galveston TX
2010       Goldesberry Gallery, Winter Invitational, Houston TX
2009      IMEC Winter Exhibition, Albuquerque NM
2009      Langman Gallery Winter Show, Willow Grove PA
2008      Taboo Studio, New Artists New Directions, San Diego CA
2008      First Annual Kinkaid Alumni Art Exhibition, Houston TX
2007      Goldesberry Gallery, Winter Invitational, Houston TX
2007      Cervini Haas Gallery, Art Jewelry Invitational, Scottsdale AZ
2007      Couture Awards and Show, Pratt Mansion, New York NY
2007      Sculpture to Wear, Salon de Artistes, Santa Monica CA
2007      Aaron Faber Gallery, The Necklace Show, New York NY
2007      ACCI Gallery, National Juried Craft Exhibition, Berkeley CA
2006      Goldesberry Gallery, Winter Invitational, Houston TX

Awards

2018     JCK Worthmore Challenge 1st Place
2018     Spectrum Awards Gem Diva Award
2017      JCK Uncommon Goods Challenge 2nd Place
2012      Best of Show, Boulder Open Arts Festival
2012      Spectrum Awards Winner, Business Daywear
2012      Spectrum Awards Winner, Fashion Forward
2012      Niche Awards Finalist, Gold with Stones
2009      Niche Awards Finalist, Silver with Stones
2008      Jewelers of America Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year, Winner
2008      AJDC New Talent Competition, Honorable mention
2008      Niche Awards, silver with stones, Winner
2007      Halstead Bead Business Development Grant for Bridge Jewelry, Winner
2007      Niche Awards, Finalist, Gold with Stones
2007      Niche Awards, Finalist, Silver with Stones