Buckle of Shards

Posted on July 13, 2008 by Stuart Kerty Filed Under Abstract, Artistic, Handmade, Special Buckles, Video | Leave a Comment

Paul Pearman boasts a wide variety of creative talents, including graphic design, sculpture, stained glass, painting and mosaics. He even made a living for a while knocking off the work of Van Gogh. Inspired by art nouveau and impressionist styles, he carefully places the glass in his mosaics to emulate the movement and direction of brush strokes. In addition to cut glass, he embellishes his work with semi-precious stones and exotic materials including coral, opals, turquoise, emeralds, jasper, ancient shark’s teeth, and the occasional carved skull.

Just as the impressionist masters before him, before art, Pearman started out as a kick boxer and a skateboarder. He captured the 1989 Guinness World Record for the jumping his skateboard over 26 barrels, snatching the record away from the previous title holders, Renoir and Monet, who purportedly turned to painting to console themselves over their loss.

Anyway, back to belt buckles. Paul was caught off guard by the success of his custom-designed mosaic belt buckles, which have garnered placement in high-end boutiques and galleries and attracting celebrity clients who pay from $500 to $3500 for his work. The response has created an endless workload for him, trapping him in self-described “belt buckle purgatory” in his basement studio, as he scrambles to keep up with demand. What the video below for the back story.

So visit New School Mosaics if you would like to own one of these unique creations or simply because you think it would be cool to keep Paul toiling away in his basement a little longer.

Hopi Traditions in Silver

Posted on June 22, 2008 by Stuart Kerty Filed Under Artistic, Handmade, Native American, Silver | Leave a Comment

Hopi and Navajo silversmith Ramon Dalangyawma produces sterling overlay jewelry and belt buckles that reflect his Hopi culture and feature traditional symbols of their clan, including wolves, bears, and antelope. In an arid high mountain community that grows their own food, their iconography also pays respect to clouds, lightning, and rain as an vital part of their lives.

These gleaming mirror-finished buckles are crafted from silver, considered by the Hopi to be a sacred element of Mother Earth. The traditional tribal technique called sterling overlay is made from two layers of silver where the intricate designs are cut through the top layer which is soldered onto the lower layer which has been tooled for texture and darkened through oxidation to add depth and contrast to the relief. Each piece is stamped with the artisan’s hallmark DALANGYAWMA representing the Hopi Greasewood clan.

These are beautiful original designs that you can wear proudly in homage to the deeply spiritual Hopi who still follow ancient ways of living, farming their native land, and producing works of art that reflect their traditions. Or simply because these belt buckles look great!

Nature Girl’s Kaleidoscope Eyes

Posted on June 19, 2008 by Stuart Kerty Filed Under Abstract, Artistic, Fashion, Floral, Photographic, Women's | Leave a Comment

Nature Girl Designs was created as its founder strove to combine her love of photography and nature. Their astoundingly beautiful buckles are hand-crafted in their red barn in Connecticut. Sure, they could do it in the garage, the living room, or the factory down the street, but doesn’t “barn” sound so much more quaint and rustic?

Their vibrantly colorful, no-two-alike designs are created using a spin casting process that captures the crystalline geometry of a kaleidoscope and the free form splashes of tie-dye. Brightly-hued thermoset resins and plastics are spun at high speed to allow centrifugal force to create the unique symmetrical designs. Choose from large or small ovals or scroll buckle designs in antiqued pewter or brass.

Nature Girl can help you add a flourish of luminous color to your spring wardrobe. The only problem will be choosing from so many wonderful designs.

Dad Deserves the Best for Father’s Day

Posted on June 15, 2008 by Stuart Kerty Filed Under Artistic, Fashion, Luxury, Men's | Leave a Comment

What is the perfect Father’s Day present for dad? Well, what do all men want? They like complex gadgets. They like well-engineered machinery. And they like their stuff to be cooler and slicker than anything their friends have.

So dig deep and splurge $25,000 for one of the precision mechanical belt buckles by Roland Iten. Roland applied his Swiss watchmaking skills to create the ultimate in hyper-engineered luxury. Maybe your father taught you to be frugal with your money, so “settle” for the steel and gold version and save yourself ten grand.

Either way, this masterpiece will give your dad serious bragging rights in the neighborhood. It’ll be kind of like popping the hood of his new car to show off the engine to his friends, except now they will be downing a few beers in the driveway and checking out your old man’s belt buckle! Okay, maybe they should step into the garage for this…

Can’t Resist the Urge?

Posted on June 11, 2008 by Stuart Kerty Filed Under Artistic, Fashion, Floral, Photographic, Pick of the Week | Leave a Comment

Kerry and Rachel were so enamored by The Urge to Adorn line of handmade designer belt buckles that they bought the company. Their buckles are adorned with photos, retro images and antique illustrations, creating a look that is elegant, vibrant, charming, and unlike designs you will see anywhere else.

Their expanded selection of images are available in categories including, animals, Asian art, Buddhas, flowers, old west, insects, and many more. If their colorful selection still doesn’t satisfy your creative vision, they can also create custom buckles from your own images, adding their special multi-layered lacquer to create a vintage look.

In addition to high-quality leather belts, Urge to Adorn also offers eco-friendly, recycled rubber belts made from agricultural tires. We’re not saying you’re fat, but if they need a tractor tire to make your belt, maybe it’s time to put down that Krispy Kreme and take your new belt buckle out for a walk…

(photo courtesy of Urge to Adorn)

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