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Although shiny, new jewelry makes for the perfect squeal-inspiring cadeau, most discriminating giftees do not want their new bijou from a "friend in the diamond business." For genuine gems to wear and cherish, I suggest you go underground. The purveyors of baubles profiled here are anything but mainstream, and sometimes hard to find. But, for a limited time, they're making their elusive wares available for holiday purchase. Catch them while you can!
Who: Heidi Schwegler
What: Heidi's Clinic jewelry line is metal and resin pendants, rings and magnets featuring bombastic blossoms cast in rainbow-bright urethane.
411: Hoffman Gallery, Oregon College of Art & Craft, 8245 SW Barnes Road, 297-5544; Filigree, 3344 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 232-1680; Oblation Papers & Press (magnets only), 516 NW 12th Ave., 223-1093.
Don't call her a jeweler: Schwegler's undergraduate and master's degrees are in jewelry and metalsmithing. Her baubles travel under the name Clinic rather than her own to avoid the distinction some critics make between craft and fine art. "I'm kind of tired of explaining it to people," she jokes. Her medical-chic, cast urethane masterpieces can be found at the Pearl District's Savage Gallery.
Why love it: Clinic's cheeky, sea-urchiny pieces make a big splash on special occasions. "Because these pieces extend from the body--sometimes quite a bit--I'd like people to think of them as event pieces," says Schwegler.
Who: Twink Hines
What: Twink's Super Secret Jewelry Store is all about selection and variety: unusual objects like a snap-together felt and leather bowl, men's rings, beaded pieces, and Japanese, German and Italian rarities.
411: Wieden + Kennedy building, 224 NW 13th Ave., through Dec. 31.
Don't call her a jeweler: Twink's not a designer herself, but hosts the unique work of 55 different jewelry makers in her event-based store. The 3-year-old business typically exists as an invite-only "jewelry rave" in a surprise location (wine shop, apothecary, hip ad agency), but Twink has chosen to "stand still" for the month of December to provide holiday service to her loyal customers.
Why love it: "We try to be cutting edge without being wacky," explains Twink. At prices ranging from $10 to $16,000, there's truly something for everyone. Twink's store shares space with some of Lena Medoyeff's luxe holiday clothing designs, temporarily made conveniently available to the westside shopper. "
Who: Jennifer Kapnek
What: Revival Designs. Jewelry made from recycled computer parts, bicycle bits, soda and juice bottles, keychains and sterling. Picture sexy memory-wire necklaces crowned with oversized flowers that have circuit-board petals and stamens made out of spoke nipples. Yes, spoke nipples.
Where: Gilt, 720 NW 23rd Ave., 226-0629; Starflower, 3411 SE Belmont St., 225-9400.
Why love it: Kapnek divests her resources from their original function enough that you have to squint close to see a bike or PC. It's beautiful jewelry that just happens to rescue usable materials from rubbish.
upcoming events
Beer Matches Your Shoes
Avail thyself of this "Black on Black" holiday promotion: Buy any black boots or shoes and get a coupon for a free six-pack of Portland Brewing's Black Watch Cream Porter.
Johnny Sole, 815 SW Alder St., 225-1241. Ends Monday, Dec. 24.
Junk- to- Jewelry Party
Oregon Tradeswomen Inc. will host a workshop on transforming wing nuts, washers, wires and bolts into fun holiday gifts. Some supplies provided; bring your junk drawer.
Oregon State Office Bldg., 800 NE Oregon St., Room 120, 943-2250. 6 pm Thursday, Dec. 20.
WWeek 2015