Handcrafted polymer clay costume jewelry in medieval style

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 16 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #395 in Arts , #7,828 overall

Costume jewellery for reminiscences of ancient times

Jewellery to remind you of earlier epoques. You recall... sometime, somewhere... you saw, or touched, or maybe wore these. You know that your spirit seems to realise this. --------
I have always been drawn to something historical. Images from an ancient time speak to me. And stones, beads, all those materials are waiting to be discovered and to be made into something through which they can recall their memories. Reminiscences of earth, civilization, epoque, human beings...

About Kotomi Yamamura jewellery 

My jewellery often resembles objects made from gold... but this is not the case. I use polymer clay to combining with semi-precious stones, fused glass pieces, Czech crystal stones etc... Then I decorate with metallic (gold or silver) mica powder. This technique allows me to explore many possibilities in design and form to create gorgeous jewellery without being 'emperor/empress' of the contemporary world .
I display and sell my work in selected craft fairs, galleries and shops, mainly in south-west London, and in Tokyo.

With Medieval image

My new website : http://kotomijewellery.web.fc2.com/

New!! Autumn/ Winter Collection 2009 

N-0248

curated content from Flickr

Spring/Summer Collection 2009 

N-0001 --means...the 10,000th piece!!

curated content from Flickr

Autumn/ Winter collection 2008 

Autumn colour started with smoky quartz from India...

jewellery - collage

curated content from Flickr

2008 Spring/ Summer Collection 

Lots of fluorite stones came from Pakistan, they brought spring breeze into my atelier.

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green fluorite, green kunzite with fused glass.

Some items are listed in Etsy

curated content from Flickr

Kotomi Yamamura Jewellery retail information 

shops in U.K. and Japan

Galleria 020-8941-8618
Light and airly contemporary craft shop near Hampton Court.

Galleria - Hampton Court

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(Click shop names to link)
Mia Wood
Quality gift shop in natural taste. Near Kew Gardens, south west London.
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VISAGE 56
Newly opened Surbiton's local gallery. paintings and crafts all original works.
New gallery, Visage 56 in Surbiton !!

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L'Oiseau blue
Boutique in Tokyo.
buotique, Tokyo, Kotomi Yamamura jewellery

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Kotomi Jewellery Shop on Etsy
Some selected items are listed on Etsy...
kotomi jewellery

Kotomi Yamamura jewellery website 

(Click site names to link)
Kotomi Jewellery
My main web site---

kotomi jewellery

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Kotomi Yamamura Jewellery and Creatinos
This is my first photo book published with "Blurb". The book contains not only my jewellery but also my imagined backgrounds to each piece using the technique of photo collage. It is now on sale from Blurb Bookstore.

Blurb book has arrived ! 30/06/08

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Kotomi Jewellery Shop on Etsy
Some selected items are listed on Etsy...
kotomi jewellery

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Imagekind photo shop/ kotomijewellery
Image photo of my jewellery on sale at Imagekind...

With Medieval image

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Kotomi Yamamura Jewellery
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My Japanese agent, Pictraco/ Syoko Mode's website.
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Kotomi jewellery info. at Selected
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You can see some more information about my jewellery from "Craft & Design Selected" site.

Glass Artist - Jim Roesch 

Fused glass, glass beads, stained glass

(Click name to link)
Jim Roesch
In my spring collection 08, I used Jim's fused glass pieces a lot. His work shop sits in the middle of lovely countryside in Kent, surrounded by picturesque nature. His glass work also reflect this, and they enclose nature in there... relaxing.

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2008 Jan. 

Each piece has a large, characteristic, semi-precious stone in the centre. Quartz, imperial orange topaz, labradorite etc... which I have sourced from all over the world. The stones often seem to tell me "what they would like to be". I just listen, and help them to fullfil their wish when I am working on my jewellery....

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photo by Joel Degen
Byzantine style pendant "Dune" - orange topaz, fresh water pearls- 130mmx70mm(incl.drops) centre piece, 40cm total length

curated content from Flickr

Autumn/ winter collection 2007 

Kyanite, eagle eye quartz, calsedony, labradorite,smoky quartz, topaz etc... with fused glass and glass beads.
I love to mix up materials and play around with their texture....Then each material starts to sing in harmony.

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Tudor Series 

From 2007 A/W collection

In the Tudor series, images have been taken from Tudor paintings -- Henry the 7th, Henry the 8th, Prince Arthur, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Parr etc...
Using garnet, quartz, Czech glass stones, and fresh water pearls.

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Queen Elizabeth 1st
the 'Drewe Portrait', late1580s,
Attributed to George Gower (d.1596)

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Portrrait of Arthur Prince of Wales(1486-1502)
Anglo-Flemish School

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Catherine Parr
Attributed to Master John

Roman Series 

From 2007 A/W collection

These images are also taken from paintings of the Roman period. Using fused glass as "stones" with carnelian, topaz and Indian glass beads.
I feel as if I am communicating with the people who lived at that time when I create this jewellery...

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Medieval style jewellery 2006 autumn/winter collection 

This time I used fused glass as my main stones--- Deep vivid colour following the taste of the medieval times. Combined with fresh water pearls, Czech crystal glass stones and Czech glass beads....



With Medieval image

Museum jewellery 

I picked up some museum jewellery photos from my Frickr images...

curated content from Flickr

My favorite sites 

Here are some jeweller sites which I often visit. I admire all. Some of them are commercial, some of them are truly individual, all different, but all have their own "world" clearly. Outstanding...

(click names to link)
JOYAS DEL ARTE BIJOUX DE L'ART
She makes jewellery with polymer clay like me, and taken images from the old world. Beautiful and so tasteful!!! I must say!! I am one of proud owners of her gorgeous jewellery.
JOYAS DEL ARTE's gorgeous jewellery
Parrish Relics
Her creation also based on a medieval theme. Also using polymer clay. Her atelier looks fantastic.
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Satellite
Famous Paris maker. Time and Space meet in their jewelry. Historical taste as well as ethnic/tribal taste.
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KATZEN TASCH
Japanese jeweler's site. You may not be able to read the descriptions...(all in Japanese) pity...,because full of imaginative, mysterious, spiritual message(poem) in there. she creates jewelry as well as polishing stones. Her work is the result of her conversation with stones...
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Pewter Replicas
These are 'serious' reproduction from Medieval-Tudor jewellery. Museum pieces...

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Michal Negrin
Romantic jewellery from Israel. She is now famous big name!
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Miracle
Some might think they are simply mass-produced souvenirs... But still, I love the "Celtic" feeling that they have. The company now has a 50 year history, and some of their earlier pieces now start to be vintage collectibles! Keep your eyes open!

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Ayala Bar
Lots of remarkable jewellery designers are from Israel now. Her colourful jewellery presents their decorative tradition.
Ayala Bar

Great reference books for period jewellery from my book shelf 

Image source for period/ costume jewellery

Historical image? period style? Once I hooked certain 'era', here we are, great source books to be inspired!

Creating Your Own Antique Jewelry: Taking Inspiration from Great Museums Around the World (Jewelry Crafts)

Author makes jewellery in the same idea with me. Pictures taken from museums, and she recreate jewellery pieces in her own manner. It is not "re-pro", but collaboration work by contemporary artist/craftswoman with old masters.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

Metropolitan jewelry

jewellery picked up from all over the world, all over the era. Gives splendid imagination for jewellery making/design. With full of illustrations.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

Jewels and Jewellery (V & A Decorative Art)

This book is from Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Another inspiring book for period theme.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

Costume Jewellery (DK Collector's Guides)

As a costume jewellery fan, I can not miss this book. hundreds of clear and vivid images are really fun to browse.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

Bijoux de haute couture 

Costume jewelry by Coco Chanel

This book also gave strong influence to me. I hoped this available via Amazon, but not... So, here is ISBN no.--- ISBN 2 84110-120-7. Coco herself was strongly influenced by Russian jewelry which exiled Russian aristocrats brought to Paris around her time. She also must have known Byzantine and medieval "taste" in her spirit... That taste somehow has come down to present-day Lacroix (!?)
Follow up: I discoverd this book on sale at Amazon.fr....www.amazon.fr

More books from Amazon 

following my theme....

Please have a fun to browse Amazon staff.

Inside the Jewelry Box: A Collector's Guide To Costume Jewelry, Identification And Values

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

Fabulous Fakes: A Passion for Vintage Costume Jewelry

Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

Reference books for jewellery creating technicque from my book shelf 

I also want to shuggest some 'how to' books for jewellery crafters.

The Polymer Clay Techniques Book

Polymer clay is already well known craft material, I suppose. But 'basics' are often starting points for new ideas. One of most comprehensive technique book for polymer claying. Easy to follow. Well over hundred project.

Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

Jewellery (Crafts Library) (Spanish Edition)

I love the idea 'mixed medium'. Jewellery is not necessary to be gold/silver. This casual book introduce many fun ideas - using paper, felt, embroidery, resin, wood, metal etc...

Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

Jewellery and Accessories

This book also contain lots of fantastic mixed medium jewellery ideas. Good source for inspiring technique.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

More books from Amazon 

for creating jewellery

Please have a fun to browse Amazon staff.

Creative Techniques for Polymer Clay Jewelry

Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

Polymer Clay Jewelry

Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 11/11/2009) Buy Now

Reader Feedback 

VeronikaB wrote...

Wow! I am speechless. I suppose describing the technique would be revealing the trade secrets? Or would you be willing to share it with us?

ReplyPosted August 11, 2008

Designer_Sunglass_Discounters wrote...

Beautiful jewelry!

ReplyPosted April 30, 2008

Kotomi wrote...

Thank you for everyone and kind messages !!!

ReplyPosted April 20, 2008

Imogen_Crest wrote...

Incredible jewellery! Wonderful informative lens, and really original.

ReplyPosted April 20, 2008

CrypticFragments wrote...

Your work is gorgeous. However, IMO the images of medieval pieces and portraits of historic figures are misplaced. You should focus more on your work and processes!

ReplyPosted April 05, 2008

JewelryCollectibles wrote...

Outstanding lens, outstanding artwork. Amazing! I've given you 5 stars and added you to my group. Keep up the fine work!

ReplyPosted March 11, 2008

rsmith17 wrote...

What beautiful jewelry! 5 stars and I've added you to my Medieval Weddings lensroll.

ReplyPosted March 03, 2008

fledgling wrote...

What a wonderful idea! gorgeous jewelry, I particularly like the Tudor style. I have a birthday coming in June, and I am definitely telling my hubby about this. Great comprehensive lens! five stars!

ReplyPosted February 26, 2008

Rajays wrote...

Great Lens Kotomi. Very interesting products. Welcome to the Gems and Jewelry Central Group.

ReplyPosted February 16, 2008

Lensmaster

KnotGypsy wrote

Gorgeous! I love the styles and the creativity. Absolutely...gorgeous.

Reply Posted February 16, 2008

view all 15 comments

by Kotomi

I'm a jewellery designer based in London. Born in Japan: following art college, I worked for a decade as a contract designer to fashion jewellery manu... (more)

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