Parson's Challenge Assignment

Lauren Melinda Makhlouf

My thoughts, my feelings, my words, my inspiration are all encapsulated into a true creation from my heart. Creations that combine luxurious simplicity with innovation bring an element of handcrafted beauty into everyday life. An inspiration is birthed through the many colors of the world, the raw beauty or lustrous quality of a stone and the rich textures of the elements. The ongoing life of a piece, a renewed existence that lives on through all who adorn it, is a divine influence exerted upon my soul. An invention begins through stimulation of my emotions or intellect, much like the floral beauty of a plant begins its inception through a mere seedling that progressively matures. The imperfect beauty found in nature contributes to the organic aesthetic found within each uniquely handcrafted, artistic creation.

A plant develops naturally over time, eventually being cultivated for its blossoms. Similarly, the natural evolution of a creation gradually progresses into a modern, delicate, one-of-a-kind production. A hammered piece of textured metal marries together with a thin piece of wrapped wire and the blues of the ocean to create a piece of intricate art that is modern and minimal, yet effortlessly chic. An immature seed begins lifeless. An imaginative thought thrives into a tangible accomplishment. The raw materials guide my thoughts, my emotions. Imagination soon becomes a reality as my hands transform raw materials into a vision realized. The unadorned plant now has added buds of renewal, just as the jewelry progresses towards a final concept. The end is in sight. The result...a meticulously crafted piece of wearable art, a beautiful creation, the start of a flower.

A flower decomposes, once again becoming one with the earth. Each piece of jewelry begins as a thought, always starting out with me, however, never ending with me. It assumes the attitiude of another. Satisfaction is provided in the formation of both, whether a fully bloomed flower or a finished design. Attention to detail results in meticulous workmanship. Elegant designs make bold statements. Timeless, sleek, incredibly wearable designs combine material richness with modern minimalism. A piece of jewelry warms the soul, a flower ignites the senses. Both say more than a thousand tiny words, whether thought or spoken. From concept to conception, an artistic expression grows and blooms into a hand-sculpted work of shared art. Out of a seed blooms a flower, out of a hobby a full-fledged business.