Wonder Threads
Bonbon Oiseau is the venture of Brooklyn artist and designer Deborah Stein. She designs custom and limited-edition "narrative" jewelry and hair adornments.
Bonbons have been described as "little poems". The exquisite combinations of colorful antique glass notions, pearls, vintage brass charms, and semi-precious stones on sterling silver, silk and gold (also delicate vintage linen flowers and gorgeous feathers) result in lyrical, organic assemblages in extraordinary combinations of color and forms. There is a feeling of Prohibition-era femininity and delicacy in the hand-touched details, with a modern quirkiness in the asymmetrical designs. These pieces are at once irresistible, easy to wear and infinitely collectible. Deborah, also a painter, has traveled extensively around the world, particulary Asia. After completing her formal art school training--she did her undergraduate work at New York State School of Arts and Design at Alfred and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and her graduate work at the University of Iowa-- She spent two years in India working with a family of toymakers taking trips around the country to uncover the stories and techniques of traditional artisans all over India. It was here she took notice of the countless expressions of adornment and developed her passion for handmade techniques and creating miniature worlds. ''My designs are inspired by the delicate eccentricities of nature and history and all the little things I notice and that come into focus in my travels or right here at home in the city" Deborah says. Designing jewelry is not so different from what I do in painting: I'm experimenting with ideas, materials and color, evoking a mood, juxtaposing images and making up odd stories. With jewelry as a medium, I have the ability to create new traditions and because each piece has meaning to the person who owns and wears it, I feel connected to something, out there in the world or in the future, much larger than me; I like to imagine my work passing hands over the years. Discovering the rare antique pieces that are the focus of my designs is an amazing part of the process. I'm completely seduced by the colors and scope of antique glass beads, the images represented by old charms, quirky old millinery parts or anything else that might work for a collection. These are handpicked from tiny shops and markets all over the world. I love giving these objects a new life and I think the objects give each finished piece a little magic, a little power. Contact Deborah directly for wholesale orders, custom orders or other questions. Deborah happily works with brides or anyone looking for something special as a gift or for an event. Clients can also send old charms, beads or stones to be re-worked to create a very personal "Bonbon" of their own.
Bonbon Oiseau [French. bon-bon wah-zoh. candy bird; good good bird; sweet bird; beautiful bird]
Bonbons have been described as "little poems". The exquisite combinations of colorful antique glass notions, pearls, vintage brass charms, and semi-precious stones on sterling silver, silk and gold (also delicate vintage linen flowers and gorgeous feathers) result in lyrical, organic assemblages in extraordinary combinations of color and forms. There is a feeling of Prohibition-era femininity and delicacy in the hand-touched details, with a modern quirkiness in the asymmetrical designs. These pieces are at once irresistible, easy to wear and infinitely collectible. Deborah, also a painter, has traveled extensively around the world, particulary Asia. After completing her formal art school training--she did her undergraduate work at New York State School of Arts and Design at Alfred and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and her graduate work at the University of Iowa-- She spent two years in India working with a family of toymakers taking trips around the country to uncover the stories and techniques of traditional artisans all over India. It was here she took notice of the countless expressions of adornment and developed her passion for handmade techniques and creating miniature worlds. ''My designs are inspired by the delicate eccentricities of nature and history and all the little things I notice and that come into focus in my travels or right here at home in the city" Deborah says. Designing jewelry is not so different from what I do in painting: I'm experimenting with ideas, materials and color, evoking a mood, juxtaposing images and making up odd stories. With jewelry as a medium, I have the ability to create new traditions and because each piece has meaning to the person who owns and wears it, I feel connected to something, out there in the world or in the future, much larger than me; I like to imagine my work passing hands over the years. Discovering the rare antique pieces that are the focus of my designs is an amazing part of the process. I'm completely seduced by the colors and scope of antique glass beads, the images represented by old charms, quirky old millinery parts or anything else that might work for a collection. These are handpicked from tiny shops and markets all over the world. I love giving these objects a new life and I think the objects give each finished piece a little magic, a little power. Contact Deborah directly for wholesale orders, custom orders or other questions. Deborah happily works with brides or anyone looking for something special as a gift or for an event. Clients can also send old charms, beads or stones to be re-worked to create a very personal "Bonbon" of their own.
Bonbon Oiseau [French. bon-bon wah-zoh. candy bird; good good bird; sweet bird; beautiful bird]
The Collection
Necklaces
[ Fête d'Hiver: Aurore Astrale ]
Meaning ''Northern Lights'', Stand out: your outfit: a double strand of sterling silver at 14'' and 16'' with gorgeous rare high shimmer 1920's boho glass and iridescent little leaves in cool opals, golden wheat, smoky amethysts. Sneak in some little round and egg shaped freshwater pearls and just at the bottom of a 2.5'' drop is a gorgeous hand-cut amethyst.
Necklaces
[ Les Historiettes: Black Square and Wishbone ]
Perfect with everything, dressed up or down, a jet colored glass cabachon from the 1920's with vintage brass charms: a wishbone and a leaf with a shimmering white freshwater pearl. On 16'' silver chain with toggle clasp.
Hair Adornment
[ Cream Posies ]
Antique linen posies in delicate vintage cream with hand painted touches on a simple bobby pin. Gorgeous silk ribbon in smoky blue and deep chocolate brown add delicate femininity. For all of your Spring moods.
Key Fobs
[ Le Cle-Key Fob ]
Limited edition Antique heavyweight key fobswith vintage charm.
Earrings
[ Feuilles Petites et Les Grandes ]
''little leaf, big leaf'': vintage brass charms and freshwater pearl on sterling silver.
© 2008 Brooklyn Indie Market