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.

Sharpest Tool in the Shed

Posted on June 2, 2008 by Stuart Kerty Filed Under Special Buckles, Utilitarian | Leave a Comment

It’s surprising how often you need a knife, whether sharing a sandwich with a friend, prying open the impenetrable plastic packaging that seems to entomb everything we buy these days, or defending yourself against the thugs down at your local Starbucks. Unfortunately pocket knives, by definition, are inconveniently buried deep within your pockets where, frankly, even you are scared to stick your fingers.

Well, now Belt Buckle Knives have blended fashion with functional. Their line includes a folding knife integrated within the buckle that can be drawn quickly in a single motion so it is always available when you need it. When not in use, the knife resides unobtrusively within attractive handcrafted silver or steel designs that complement your look, whether it is biker, gothic, western, or reserved and discrete.

The perfect belt buckle for everyday. Every day that you are not passing through airport security, that is…

Resin: Another Reason to Love Belt Buckles

Posted on May 29, 2008 by admin Filed Under Articles, Collecting Belt Buckles, Fashion, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment

resin buckle Anyone into collecting belt buckles must see those by Brooks Salzwedel. What was, at first, a fluke–Salzwedel was working on an art school project when one of his assignments looked very much like a belt buckle–has turned into a full-fledged business. His buckles are now carried in stores from New York to LA.
Salzwedel’s buckles are, indeed, art. Reminiscent of the plastic buttons and baubles that adorned the lapels of well-dressed women in the 40’s and 50’s, the resin buckles range in design from bold and graphic to cloudy and scenic and can be worn with equal ease by guys and gals.

Pick of the Week: A Belt Buckle to Memorialize

Posted on May 26, 2008 by admin Filed Under Collecting Belt Buckles, Pick of the Week, Special Buckles | 1 Comment

WWII buckle In honor of Memorial Day, this week’s Pick of the Week is a WWII vet belt buckle. Solid pewter with incredible 3D detailing, the buckle depicts the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima and the three facets of our military–air, land, sea.
If you’re lucky enough to be relaxing at the beach or throwing some steaks on the grill today, say a prayer for our troops and thank a vet. War may be ugly but service is always honorable.

In My Opinion…

Posted on May 20, 2008 by admin Filed Under Fun, Special Buckles | Leave a Comment

So many belt buckles these days are less about holding up your pants and more about sending a message. Often, the message is sexual, whether blatantly so or rife with innuendo. The big banana buckle, recently featured on fashionably geek, is a prime example. The blogger highlighting the belt buckle asks, “do you have the balls to wear the big banana belt buckle?”
He should have asked whether you have the balls not to. In my experience, boys who’ve told me they have big feet have only…ahem…big shoes. Wasn’t it Churchill who said “Walk softly and carry a big stick?” In short, don’t advertise your strengths. It either diminishes them or suggests you’re compensating.