My OBT

What if you spent every day looking for One Beautiful Thing?

Sacred Geometry

by 20 Comments

Valerie Jo Coulson

Happy birthday to me! I thought this year, to celebrate, I’d share an amazing artist who actually found me.

It is a fairly regular thing that artists (and agents) reach out to offer their work for inclusion in the blog. I’m always happy to take a look and share my thoughts. But though I try to be positive and encouraging, I never blog about anything that doesn’t speak to me. This is more a reflection on me than it is on them, but I do find myself saying no to quite a lot of people, friends included. Happily, I didn’t have to let today’s artist down gently.

Today, we’re looking at the remarkable, distinctive, deliciously-geometric jewelry designed by Valerie Jo Coulson. After her introduction to jewelry design in art school, the artist knew she’d found her dream medium, and has been working as a studio jewelry designer, lapidary, and metalsmith ever since. And her 50+ years of jewelry design is abundantly clear in her work. Coulson’s instincts combined with her skill level are truly something special.

Her inlay work is especially toothsome. Embracing the idea of Sacred Geometry, Coulson’s work explores the connectivity of everything.

“The architecture of the jewel is configured via traditional,
time-honored metal working techniques of fabrication and
forming. This structure or bridgework creates the windows
or compartments within which to inlay the stone. In this
methodology, I can create sculptural form and painterly canvas
utilizing a modicum of these precious materials.”

– Valerie Jo Coulson

You can follow Valerie Jo Coulson on her website and on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

View this post on Instagram

Of Virtue and Valor, ‘The Gauntlet’ Cuff. Completed in Oct. 2003 following 4 months of construction, the full story…poignant and impassioned bears more than synopsis here. It is metaphor for our universal challenges, struggles, sacrifices and triumphs. Pivotal at this critical time, is the distinguishment of all those who dedicate and risk their lives in service of protecting humanity. Their virtue and valor is the greatest inspiration which we can all recognize and emulate. Constructed in 22k Gold, inside band of 14k Gold. 2 phenomenal Queensland Black Boulder Opals embody the warrior running the gauntlet, flanked by the opposition wielding spears; inlaid with Australian Opal, Australian Chrysoprase and Wyoming Black Jade. The closure…a single spearhead pointed at a Ruby symbolizing the heart. Any direct questions or for further information, please don’t hesitate to send me a personal message. Semper fidelis . . . . . #valeriejocoulsonjewels #fineartjeweler #fineartjewelry #contemporaryjewelry #contemporaryartjewelry #gemstonejewelry #stoneinlayjewelry #oneofakindjewelry #studiojewelry #artsandjewelry #artjewelry #jewelrydesigner #sbda #opaljewelry #blackboulderopal #queenslandblack oulderopal #goldjewelry #arttowear #visualart #artwork #chrysoprase #jade #australianopal #gauntlet #goldbracelets #fineart #handmadejewelry #sculpturetowear #semperfidelis

A post shared by Valerie Jo Coulson (@valeriejocoulsonjewels) on

View this post on Instagram

‘Firenze ‘ Bracelet on it’s stand. Swipe to see images illustrating the anatomy of the jewel. ‘Best of Show’ Saul Bell Design Awards 2017. A visual poem of my reverence for the architects, artists and artisans of this cradle of the Renaissance. With deference to the ceiling mosaic and trompe l’oeil design evidenced in the octagonal roof structure of the Battistero di San Giovanni to Brunelleschi’s bricks which he devised to be laid up in herring bone, advancing the building of the vast dome of the Santa Maria del Fiori without any wooden structuring. Approx. 300hrs in the making. Fabricated in Sterling Silver, inlaid with Australian Tiger Iron, Purple Agate and Cady Mountain Agate. #saulbelldesignawards #firenze #architecturaljewelry #contemporaryartjewelry #contemporaryjewelry #awardwinningjewelry #studiojewelry #architecturaldesign #fineartjewelry #inlaidjewelry #stoneinlay #artinjewelry #artsandjewelry #oneofakindjewelry #mjsa #metalandsmith #lapidaryartist #inspiredjewelry #jewelrydesign #statementjewelry #artistar #valeriejocoulsonjewels

A post shared by Valerie Jo Coulson (@valeriejocoulsonjewels) on

Author: Donna from MyOBT

I have committed to spending part of every day looking for at least one beautiful thing, and sharing what I find with you lovelies!

20 thoughts on “Sacred Geometry”

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  2. Valerie J Coulson
    October 19, 2020 at 8:08 am

    Thank you so much Donna for recognizing me and my work and flying with it! Happy Birthday to you! And to your ‘one beautiful thing’ you find in each day!

    Like

    Reply
  3. janhaltn
    October 19, 2020 at 9:30 am

    I was trilled to read her bio and she does her own lapidary work. Both my wife and I did also. This featured artist is great. Anybody ask and I would highly recommend her. I could not find a selling price but I am sure I would not be able to purchase any of her grand work. Never got into the metal work but I know a few that had and it is not easy. All of her work here and on her Instagram page leave me breathless. True art. Hal

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Valerie J Coulson
      October 19, 2020 at 9:52 am

      Thank you Hal for your very kind words, even more special hearing from another lapidary! The stone cutting let alone the metal work definately requires alot of patience and fortitude but when that final polish comes up, it is nothing short of exhilarating to me 🙂 Soo happy to hear you find it inspiring! Don’t ever hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or want to discuss. Thank you, Valerie

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • Valerie Jo Coulson
      October 19, 2020 at 12:52 pm

      Thank you Hal for your kind words, I truly appreciate it and even more so coming from another lapidary! I am very happy to hear you find the work inspiring!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • Donna from MyOBT
      October 19, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      I feel the same way about all of it! Hal, you never fail to surprise me. I had no idea you and your wife were lapidaries! So cool.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. loisajay
    October 19, 2020 at 9:37 am

    Happy Birthday to you, Donna! I think her cufflinks are my most favorite things. Gorgeous work.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Ellie
    October 19, 2020 at 9:39 am

    Happy birthday, Donna! You have found some gorgeous jewelry for Beloved to gift you!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Alison and Don
    October 19, 2020 at 12:15 pm

    Happy Birthday Donna! Have a lovely day.
    Alison xo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Valerie Jo Coulson
    October 19, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    Thank you so much Donna for recognizing my work! Sweet that is is on this day; Happy Birthday! To your continued finding and sharing of the beautiful things!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. tiffanyarpdaleo
    October 20, 2020 at 11:12 am

    Happy birthday fellow Libra!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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