Emerald cut for amethyst plastic

These beautiful faceted plastic amethysts have a transparent frame that enhance its lilac color and separate it from the rest of the composition that we might want to make with them.
The holes along the piece make them hang in a convenient and uncommon position. We could make a cool bracelet composed by some of the stones united by two elastic bands.
I would be something like this:

Maquinitas

Think about it... if we have all these flatback rhinestones, pre-set rhinestones and nail head studs shouldn't we have a machine to set them on your clothes?¿
We do.
The CouloirW has vintage machines to set it's vintage material.
These machines are made out of plastic with a very easy to follow, charming instruction sheet.

Fried Frères and the world of rhinestones have been walking together since its beginning. 
If we have a walk around the shop in the Rue du Caire in Paris we can find sets like this. Tremendously erotic "vedette's outfit" can transform any woman in the sexiest. 
Although it feels like time has changed and this type of outfit belongs to a time when women were a pure object of desire, I believe we shouldn't forget that a woman's body is beautiful and anything that can enhance this beauty should be explored.

We like plastic

We like plastic. Let's have one thing clear, in the CouloirW there is beautiful glass and rhinestones, but the variety of materials is impressive. These three pieces in the picture are made out of plastic.

The first one is a black heart with irregular facets, perfect to set on a hoop and wear it as a ring.

The other two oval pieces are like broken mirrors with different textures and volumes. They both have a golden frame with two holes that make them perfect to spin together with threat and have a big trendy necklace.

1927

Look at the handwriting on the packaging.

I always admired the way my granddad used to write. Even the most simple thing he had to write he did it in the most precise handwriting. It is not like we cannot write the same way, I think, it is the fact that we cannot waste our time with details anymore. It is just a shame.

Luckily, what is not a shame is that this beautiful jet chaton roses, from 1927, are here now, in the CouloirW for us to enjoy them.

Turandot

This is another one of the treasures of the Teatro alla Scala di Milano.

This piece was conceived for the opera Turandot by Giacomo Puccini that was performed in 1927.

The design by Caramba and made by A. Corbella.

It was made with rhinestones, pearls and beads combined with brass and feathers.

Right now it belongs to Sartoria Arrigo. The Arrigo theatre-tailoring started its activity in 1970 thanks to its founder, Mr. Arrigo Basso Bondini, who has always had a real passion for the creation and the cut preciousness of ancient costumes.

Lagarta

Oh my god!

I thought they were real!

Creatures live in the CouloirW and I didn't know...

Thankfully they are broaches made of low fusion metal and beautiful flat back amethyst chaton rose.

Going to see if I can find them in more colors.

Who said rhinestones meant nothing

Swarovski, the United States, four people and 6 months can convert a Mini Cooper in something meaningful like we haven't seen before.
A million crystal stones and 50 different color tones can be used to conceive and bring to live such...wonder.
Its name could only be "American Icon".

Me quiere, no me quiere

Joseph Eberle: "My entry for the 2008 Crystal Vision Design Competition. The unexpected combination of "cocktail" ring as the handle of a tea or demitasse cup."
And we think this could be a great way of asking somebody if they would rather have a coffe or a tea.

Combined pleasures

In 2007 Nespresso thougt of a terrific way of decorating its new Essenza machines...

Limited Edition machines were designed to shine at exclusive charity events and Nespresso boutiques around the world. In addition to being a shining focus for charity and special events, 100 Limited Edition Sparkle Pink and 100 Limited Edition Brilliant Black Essenza machines were available, while supplies lasted. We wonder if they sold all of them...

The octagon

This octagon speaks for itself.

It's 22x22x12mm. Transparent.

Another one of the little treasures of the CouloirW.

It has a convenient hole were you only need a hoop and a nice piece of velvet or a chain and you have a beautiful necklace.

Look! More pearls!

The Preljocaj ballet company is one of the most important right now in the universe of contemporary dance. It comes from Aix-en-Provence, in France.

Last year it delighted us with a re-lecture of Antonio Vivadi's The Four Seasons Concerto. Angelin Preljocaj is a powerful and innovative choreographer of our times.

If you have a close look at this dancer in the picture, you'll see she is wearing pearly necklaces, bracelets and anklets with which she makes a special sound that follow her moves.

Does it sound familiar to you?

Josephine Baker, maybe??

I wonder if Prejlocaj had seen the famous vedette with her pearls and her moves.

Sometimes the best way of innovating is reinventing old ways.

A naturalist's walk

Having a walk along the CouloirW is always a new adventure. There are still a lot of boxes that I hadn't opened yet and I cannot wait to do it but everything at its time. 

Yesterday I opened a box of Swarovski stones from the 1950 and I found this beautiful creatures. I started thinking what I could make with them...

First, I thought, lets have some information about them. So I got my moleskine and felt like a naturalist of the nineteenth hundred's. I wrote down what they were and made a drawing to recognize them.

What if the ring does not fit?

Here is another trick we the crew form the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya discovered us a while ago. Most of the jewellery worn on stage is not made for jewelers. When a piece is too difficult to be on and off in the heat of a scene change, the best thing to do is sew it to a textile band with and easy clasp that is not going to make anybody waste their time (see the bracelet). And what happens when a ring is way too small... no problem, just open it as much as you need to, fortunately nobody is going to see it from a distance!

As we just promised... these are a few of the stones you could use to make Boris Godunov rings.
Although you might need a red one ... a garnet maybe.
Mmm let me see if we find one here in the couloir!

The rings of Boris Godunov

Big rings for a big character. Boris Godunov who reigned as Tsar during the early phase of the Russian political upheaval that occurred between 1598 and 1613 is the leading character a masterpiece that has been on the main stages of big theatres around the world.

This particular rings where made out of rhinestones and tin for the Teatro all Scala of Milano.

On stage they look real and imposing like it's wearer but they are not difficult to make if you find the right material to make them.

Have a look at what's on the couloirW and you'll find all you need to make such beautiful rings and sets.

Pearls and only pearls

Folies Bergere, 1920's, Josephine Baker becomes the muse of the Cubists who venerate her style and her forms, causing the enthusiasm of Parisians for Jazz and african-american music.

Her "célèbre ceinture de bananes" was part of a hyper dance she became famous for. She made the audiences heads spin with her movements and the fact that there was not much she would wear on besides a big number of pearly collars, bracelets and anklets that not only made her look impressive but which percussion provided a particular soundtrack to her body and her moves. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPCYYdECJIs&feature=related

Transparent geometry

This crystal stone is something else.
It's cut belongs to the 60's. A tremendous geometrical piece that brings us to Op Art.
Set this crystal on any surface and it will play with what you see throught it.

Porcelain flowery designs for tea time lovers

This vintage tea-cup-set like stones would look lovely set on a big chunky ring or a cameo-look-like metal frame or with a pearl as a pendant.


Check out the sketches underneath...

This pieces are found in the CouloirW. There is only a few of them.
Find them in our Etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/couloirw

Opera tricks

This beautiful collection was made in 1989 by Cheryl Studer for the opera play "Guglielmo Tell", that took place in the Teatro alla Scalla of Milano.
Its is a compositon of crystal cabouchons and plastic cameos glued to a transparent PVC sheet.
Impressive, isn't it!

Multicolor pagoda

Olive and chewing gum pink are combined in the shape of a round pagoda cut amazing crystal stone.