Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes Showcases Moonlight Sonata Pendant at 2013 Academy Awards
Moonlight Sonata Pendant by Beatriz Fortes
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes (http://www.beatrizfortes.com) will have its Moonlight Sonata Pendant showcased on display at GBK’s Luxury Gift Lounge for the 2013 Academy Awards Nominees and Presenters, and its Double Woven Sterling Silver Bracelets will be included in celebrity swag bags. The Gift Lounge will take place February 22-23 at an exclusive Beverly Hills, California location.
Beatriz Fortes is an accomplished metalsmith and the designer/owner at Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes. When Fortes learned she had been chosen to create a display piece for the GBK Oscars Gift Lounge, she immediately thought of featuring a design from her “Moonlight Sonata” series and selected the “Moonlight Sonata Pendant.” The pendant hangs from a strand of dark Peacock pearls and combines textured, oxidized sterling silver and a lively, D. Pedro opal to enchanting effect.
"There is nothing more peaceful to me than moonlight," said Fortes. "I grew up by the sea and seeing a full moon rise over the water was a time for me to think about life, problems, goals and the books I was reading. This piece captures that part of who I am and celebrates striving to live a tranquil, fulfilled life."
The Moonlight Sonata Pendant was completely hand-fabricated by Fortes. The jeweler, who has been known to fashion or adapt tools in order to achieve certain ends, customized a heavy hammer to create a wave-like texture in the silver. She then applied a dark oxidizing patina and implied the reflection of the moon over the water by brightening and polishing certain areas. “This is careful work, one reflection at a time, to maintain the balance between dark and light,” noted Fortes.
To finish the pendant, Fortes polished the frame, set the D. Pedro opal to represent the moon and hung the pendant on the strand of Peacock pearls. According to Fortes, “Pearls are a symbol both of tears and rebirth, bringing wisdom and calmness, which made them an especially appropriate choice for this piece.”
In addition to the display piece, Fortes’ Double Woven Sterling Silver Bracelets will be found nestled in The Artisan Group’s sought after black swag bags. Fortes created 100 of these bracelets using a complex weaving technique that goes back to ancient Rome. To add a contemporary touch, she employed random stitches and a looser tension than is usual. Each bracelet was finished with an elegant “S” hook, reminiscent of an eternity symbol, and packaged in a patterned silver organza bag.
Fortes’ work is distinguished not only by its clean lines and minimal design but the fact that each piece is created using a totally hands-on approach. Working from her São Paulo, Brazil studio, Fortes is in control every step of the way, from design to alloying to polishing.
Nature, architecture, music, the urban landscape and the structural lines of antique jewelry all influence Fortes and in every piece she seeks to capture the simple essence and beauty of her inspirations.
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes is designed for the modern women on the go. “This is jewelry for the woman who loves adornment and wants to look great but not fussy,” smiled Fortes. “The pieces are sophisticated, elegant and meant to be a staple part of a woman’s wardrobe. I believe jewelry should be worn often. With time each piece is enriched by the emotions and experience of the wearer, so I aim to create pieces that will last and become cherished heirlooms.”
Fortes’ most popular pieces are her custom wedding rings and bands, which display simple, easy-to-wear shapes that can be modified to suit both women and men and have specialty finishes and small touches that set them apart from commercially made rings.
Fortes began her career as a jeweler with a series of courses in metalsmithing and other jewelry making techniques. She soon realized she had a passion for fire—alloying, soldering, granulation and fusing have become her signature making techniques. Fortes’ technical expertise has recently been acknowledged with an article in Art Jewelry Magazine (“Fusing Silver Filings,” January 2013) and her design eye has been celebrated in the Lark Books publication, “30 Minute Bracelets.”
To learn more about Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes and its participation in The Artisan Group’s celebrity gifting initiatives, visit the website and become a fan on Facebook. For press inquiries about The Artisan Group, visit www.theartisangroup.org.
About Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes (www.beatrizfortes.com) was founded by designer and metalsmith Beatriz Fortes in 2010. The company creates one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry in gold, silver, and copper. Techniques like fusing and granulation add character, while gemstones provide sparkle. Each piece of Beatriz Fortes jewelry is handcrafted by the artist out of her São Paulo, Brazil studio. Fortes’ work has been published in Art Jewelry Magazine and was included in the Lark Books publication “30 Minute Bracelets.” Fortes is also a member of by-invitation-only The Artisan Group.
Media Contact:
Beatriz Fortes
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes
55 11 97429-9999
http://www.beatrizfortes.com
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