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2017 YEAR OF THE ROOSTER

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 00:25:57 +0100

The rooster is the 10th animal in the Chinese zodiac and include the years 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 and this year, 2017. This is the year of the fire rooster.

This year is predicted to be a less volatile than last year - the year of the monkey. Since historically roosters were the first to wake in the morning they embody the traits of leadership - responsibility, reliability, and intelligence.

Those who are born the year of the rooster are believed to be honest, intelligent, confident and ambitious. They are generally healthy, active and sociable. They are also interested in being fashionable and take pride in what they wear. They make loyal friends.

A rooster represents achievement and fame. It is believed to frighten away ghosts at sunrise by its crowing. An image of a rooster communicates a desire for a promotion. The rooster's crest,(guan) is a play on the Chinese word for official.

Mammoth Ivory Netsuke Bring Important Stories Back to Life

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 22:41:49 +0100

Throughout the ages, artists have carved beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces from ivory. Today, there is a rich history to be told through the stunning netsuke pieces from Asia. Carvings depict wild and historic scenes, mythology and spiritual symbolism.

While the use of Elephant ivory endangers those beautiful creatures that were killed to near extinction for their tusks, another type of ivory has long entranced Asian carvers.

Mammoth Ivory

Mammoth Ivory was first unearthed in Siberia more than 300 years ago. It made its way to China, Japan and the Philippines in the same way Elephant ivory had come from Africa.

The best carvers were drawn to it even before Elephant ivory became controversial. Coming from an animal long dead and extinct from the planet, the ivory has always held a special mystique and value.

Mammoth pieces were always carved with a reverence to that deep and fanciful history, which is one of the elements that first drew Carol Barrett to the netsuke when she saw them during her first travels through Asia.

Not only are these carvings antiques filled with history and beauty and culture, but the material itself also stretches deep into history to a time well before artists were making art for art’s sake.

Mammoth Ivory Jewelry

Today, mammoth ivory netsuke are still a cornerstone in the Carol Barrett Jewelry collection. The carvings are special in their own right. And many artists carved netsuke from Elephant ivory – in fact, far more used elephant tusks than used mammoth – but Carol Barrett only collects mammoth pieces.

There are a few reasons for that. One reason, of course, is the danger to elephants. The jewelry maker is ethically opposed to pieces that use elephant ivory because of the harm it has caused to such a spectacular species of animal. On top of the ethical dilemma is an international trade ban on elephant ivory, making its sale illegal – even when it’s antique.

However, Barrett only collects mammoth ivory carvings for her jewelry. There are plenty of other substitutes available today, including a profoundly renewable source in a hard nut grown primarily in South America.

Barrett is drawn to the mammoth pieces for a few reasons.

The Russians estimate there are more than 10,000 mammoth fossils remaining buried under the Siberian tundra, but exhuming the remains is no simple task. There is no such thing as a mass market for mammoth ivory. It’s hard to get, expensive and special.

Ivory that tells a story

The ivory is still shrouded in the mystery of ancient history. Those who see it, touch it and own it are privileged – giving a new life to something that could otherwise be buried, frozen in time and forgotten. That privilege is only magnified by the quality of the artistic carvings. Most of the pieces Barrett uses in her jewelry come from skilled carvers, many of whom lived decades and even centuries ago. Giving the pieces new purpose in jewelry brings those stories, their artists and the material back to life.

Barrett is always careful to examine the pieces she collects carefully to confirm they are made from mammoth ivory. It’s a distinction she takes seriously and one she has become skilled at making after decades of collecting the beautiful one-of-a-kind ivory carvings.

Why Asian Artists Carve Fish Into Jade And Mammoth Ivory

Sun, 19 Apr 2015 18:26:31 +0100

Asian artists have been carving amazing and beautiful scenes into timeless pieces for centuries. These carvings depict so many different scenes and tell so many stories. Many times they feature a different animal, and every animal has its own symbolic meaning in Asian culture. One of the most popular is the fish.

I have found hundreds of beautiful jade carvings, mammoth ivory netsuke, wood and silver carvings depicting fish. Some feature fish on their own, but most include figures of people.

The carving show people conquering fish or getting assistance from fish. These marine creatures are always somewhat exalted in the carvings. It’s clear from these pieces that the fish has a significance in Asian culture beyond sushi.

What is the symbolic significance of the fish?

The Chinese word for fish is “yu,” which is a homophone for “abundance.” It’s hard to say whether the similarity between the words gave birth to the mythology or whether the mythology resulted in the similarity between the words. Either way, the fish is a symbol of abundance and success.

The carp earns its success

The carp is the most auspicious of the fish. It’s not just known for wealth and abundance, it’s recognized for it tenacity and persistence. It’s a fish that works hard and swims fiercely against currents and bravely jumps waterfalls to achieve its success.

The carp can become a dragon

As legend has it, the carp could leap the falls of the Yellow River at Dragon Gate, and if they reached the other side, they would transform into dragons and fly away. Since dragons are the master of all animals in Chinese culture, the ability to transform into one through sheer will, effort and might, makes the carp an amazing and inspiring symbol.

Capturing the carp’s power

Many of the carvings I have found over the years depict man harnessing the power of the carp, such as this mammoth ivory carving of a fisherman riding a carp. Others include traditional baskets woven from bamboo to trap fish. The fisherman, himself, is a symbolic of seeking success and abundance. That’s a parallel that somehow seems to make sense in any culture.

Beautiful Asian jewelry featuring fish

Asian artists have been carving beautiful stories of fish and fishermen into gorgeous pieces of jade, mammoth ivory, wood and silver for more than 200 years. I travel the globe collecting these pieces and incorporate them into stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. The semiprecious stones I use complement the carvings.

Together, the gems and carvings create amazing conversation pieces. It’s not just a quality piece of jewelry – it’s repurposing a historic and important piece of Asian art so that the story it tells can go on.

Earthy Year of The Green Wooden Sheep Begins Feb 19

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 21:10:42 +0100

The Year of the Sheep begins Thursday, Feb. 19 when the 4,713^th Chinese year dawns with a bright moon.

The Chinese New Year is one of the biggest and most important cultural celebrations in China. The story of the Chinese New Year and the Zodiac that goes with it begins with Buddha. He called all the animals to meet him at the height of the moon’s cycle. Twelve creatures joined him and he named the years in the order of their arrival.

The rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig have cycled through as symbols of a new calendar each Chinese New Year ever since. As legend has it, those born in the year of a particular animal will have characteristics of that animal.

The sheep, which is also sometimes referred to as a ram or a goat, is an Earth animal. Those born in the year of the sheep are known to be kind-hearted, artistic, clever, and polite. They can also be shy, indecisive and overly-sensitive.

This year, 2015, is sometimes called the year of the green wooden sheep. The green comes from the association with wood, which is an Earth element. And most of the time, the year of the sheep will be a wooden year.

Jewelry for Chinese New Year

While the ram, sheep or goat is truly one of the most popular animals in the Chinese Zodiac, artists did not carve many of them – or at least there aren’t many available today. I have found far fewer artifacts of the Earth animals in my journeys to collect vintage carvings than of the animals associated with wind, fire and water.

There could be several explanations for this. Perhaps the Earth creatures didn’t seem as exotic to artists, so they weren’t frequently featured in carvings. Or, perhaps, the Earth animals were carved from wood and other Earthen materials more prone to degradation over the years than the aquatic green jades and fiery orange and red jade stones.

Either way, there are not many carvings of sheep, goats or rams left today.

There are, however, some beautiful Asian jewelry pieces that can help you celebrate the Chinese New Year in style. Because the color of the year is green, a bright green jade carving of water animals can be just as inspiring at a goat carving this year. Likewise, an earthy and intricate carved wood piece can serve as a dramatic conversation starter.

The Many Shades Of Jade

Sun, 18 Jan 2015 05:30:28 +0100

Most people think of jade as a green gemstone. While it’s most valuable color is a vibrant emerald-like green, jade actually comes in several different colors.

Since the Chinese first discovered the gem in Myanmar hundreds of years ago, it has been a cherished stone, often even more valuable than gold.

Mined primarily in Asia, Russia, Europe and the Americas, there are actually two different stones that we refer to as jade. The most highly prized jade is mined in Asia. Jadeite, which is made up of silicate, sodium and aluminum, is the more valuable of the two. Nephrite, which is made up of calcium and magnesium is the less cherished of the two, though it’s not always easy to tell them apart and they both carry the same jade name.

Shades of green

The most valuable jade is a translucent, bright and vibrant green and is called Imperial Jade. It is one of the most expensive gems in the world. Kingfisher jade is the second most valuable.

However, even the green jades come in dozens of different shades and different levels of clarity. Ranging from a bright translucent green to an apple shade, a greyish green and on to a bluish green, these stones are always stunning.

Lavender jade

After green, the next most valuable jade is the lavender jade. It also comes in a wide range from nearly white with a slight hint of color to a deep rich purple. It’s sometimes mixed with green jade in a single stone, which can make a piece even more valuable.

Red jade

Red jades are uncommon, but beautiful. They can come in a rich reddish-brown and are sometimes even pink. You’ll find hints of red jade mixed in with yellows and greens in many of my one-of-a-kind pieces.

Yellow jade

While it is a more common and slightly less expensive color for the stone, yellow is beautiful and has been used extensively by some of the best artisans in Asia to create culturally significant and historic pieces. It also blends well with other colors of jade, giving them a distinct look.

White jade

This can be stunning, especially if it has veins of color running through it. It’s usually nephrite, however, which is the less valuable of the two jade stones. However, mutton fat jade, a translucent creamy white, is highly prized by Chinese.

Black jade

When nicely polished, black jade is beautiful. It can sometimes have deep purple hues and was used in carvings when the artist was trying to achieve a certain feeling.

How jade is used

Asian artists have carved culturally significant pieces from jade for centuries. The hard stone endures and the stories in the carvings live on through these pieces. The carvings have been part of many things in the past.

I travel to Asia and buy these authentic jade carvings where I can find them and incorporate them into beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry using high quality semiprecious stones. If you have any questions about the jade the artists used, where I found the pieces or how I incorporated them into a current piece of jewelry, please contact me and ask.

What’s So Special About Dragons?

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 23:14:04 +0100

Dragons are significant in nearly every Asian culture. So, it’s no wonder they’re depicted in so many of the beautiful jade carvings as well as wood, silver and mammoth ivory carvings I have collected and incorporated into jewelry over the years.

Chinese and Japanese artists both created some of the most stunning jade dragon carvings you’ll ever see. Some are centuries old and some are brand new. The dragon has remained a constant in Asian cultures.

Wondering what’s so special about dragons?

Dragons are powerful

Regardless of when or where the carvings were created, dragons are always portrayed as powerful creatures.

Chinese culture depicts the dragon as the rain god and the ruler of the heavens. Other cultures recognize the dragon as the ruler of all animals.

The dragon’s irrefutable power made it an obvious symbol for Chinese emperors and today the dragon remains a royal symbol. Today, dragons are also used to refer to economic strength. Japan and China are known as the big ancient dragon economies with emerging Asian economies depicted as little dragons.

Dragons are good

Modern and Western interpretations of dragons are often dangerous, angry monsters of the sky. But the traditional Asian dragon is a beneficent creature. It’s a protector and a sign of good luck.

Dragons are not indiscriminate tools of terror that need taming, slaying or capture in Asian culture. They are strong, bold, fearless forces of good.

Dragon lore

Dragons are often pictured in pairs. Sometimes they fight to hide or reveal the sun, a battle between gods of the sky. The Japanese believed you could never see the full body of a dragon or you would perish.

Dragon carvings and Carol Barrett Jewelry

In my travels through Asia, I have found amazing dragon carvings. Some are clearly antiques and other could have been carved anytime in the last 200 years.

But one thing is certain: dragons are special. When an artist took on the task of carving one, it was done with admiration, respect and care. Some of the finest jade pieces I have found include dragons, such as this stunning rare blue jade double dragon.

While I have found plenty of high-quality jade carvings that depict other animals, dragons are almost always carved into some of the best pieces.

Finding these gorgeous carvings has always thrilled me. I work hard to honor these artists, the quality of the materials and the honor of the dragon in my jewelry.

Tips To Help You Buy Jewelry For Your Wife This Holiday Season

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 19:06:03 +0100

Maybe you’re one of those gentlemen who know gemstones and can spot a quality piece from across the room. Maybe your wife is used to getting fine jewelry from you on special occasions. Lucky her. But if that’s not you, don’t fret. That’s not most men.

So, how do you find the right piece of fine artisan jewelry for you wife?

Where not to go

First, steer clear of the chain jewelry stores. They are known for their staples. They have lines and vendors, not artists. If you want something truly original and authentic, you won’t find it in a franchise.

Start at the source

Pay attention to the jewelry your wife wears. What does she like best about the pieces she wears most often? What makes those special occasion pieces so special? Ask her about her jewelry and gem preferences when you have the opportunity to do it without being obvious. Notice when she complements other women on their jewelry.

Don’t discount your taste

You will see her in the artisan necklace or earrings you pick out all the time, so you should also like them. Clearly you have good taste – you chose her, after all. So, go ahead and look at jewelry with confidence. If you like it, chances are she will, too.

Look to influences from her existing collection

If she has several unique one-of-a-kind pieces, try to stay that course and choose another distinct piece. If she has a favorite jewelry artist, such as Carol Barrett, consider buying another piece from the same creator or looking to someone with similar styles.

Pay attention to quality

Make sure, whatever you buy, the materials and craftsmanship are top notch. If you’re going to spend the money, buy something with obvious quality that will last and that will draw many an admiring glance. Don’t choose something that’s similar to a great jewelry artist’s work but created with inferior products and finesse. There is a stark difference, for example, between jade and glass pieces that look like jade.

Sentimentality

Find a piece that speaks to your wife. Use the jewelry gift to communicate an idea. Of course, this is easier when the pieces themselves are carvings or antiques that tell a story and have cultural significance, as is the case with most Carol Barrett Jewelry. But the semiprecious stones can say a million words all on their own if they’re high-quality and well arranged.

The Perfect Necklace Will Stand Out At Your Holiday Party

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:56:24 +0100

T’is the season. Holiday music is creeping into playlists. Decorations are going up at shopping centers. Christmas cards and party invitations are going out in the mail.

So, now the big question is: what to wear?

Halloween is over. It’s time for sophistication, elegance and a little bit of sparkle.

Before you buy new sequin-covered or rhinestone studded outfits for this season’s lineup of office affairs, friends’ dinner parties and organization galas, take a peak in your jewelry case. The right necklace can turn a simple little black dress into a show stopper.

Accessorize for holiday party success

The holidays are a time of year when glamor and sparkle are truly appreciated. While those qualities get attention, they don’t always translate easily into textiles.

Glittering dresses and blouses work for more formal occasions, but can leave you feeling over dressed for a dinner party or casual gathering. It’s hard to wear any clothing that shimmers without feeling slightly out of place unless you’re attending a black tie affair.

Choosing jewelry that makes a statement and stands out is an exception. An eye-catching and sophisticated necklace or earrings win attention, admiring glances and compliments. The best part is, you can wear jewelry again and again – no matter how distinct it is.

Choosing the right jewelry to stand out during holidays

You’re usually wearing heavier fabrics and covering more skin during the holiday season, which tends to make simple costume jewelry blend right into the background.

It takes a bolder piece to make a statement in the winter months than it does in the summer. With dark colors popular this winter, choosing accessories that stand out is even more challenging.

It’s also important to choose something that isn’t just showy, but that also has a timelessness to it so you can match it with other outfits and wear it again. The piece you choose should be sophisticated and elegant to match the occasion.

Bright colors, quality semiprecious stones, unique and artistic designs stand out and transform dark or simple clothing into something fresh and exciting.

Carol Barrett Jewelry is perfect for holiday parties

Carol Barrett Jewelry is one-of-a-kind. No two pieces are alike. She incorporates artistic antiquities from around the globe into her pieces using the highest quality semiprecious stones and blown glass beads. Her pieces stand out and get noticed.

Beyond their beauty, her pieces come with interesting stories perfect for starting party conversations. Since many of Carol Barrett’s necklaces feature carvings in jade, silver, wood or mammoth ivory, they have cultural significance and tremendous history that fascinates and strikes many a holiday party conversation about world travel.

Carol Barrett Jewelry Celebrates 25 years

Sat, 13 Sep 2014 01:03:59 +0100

For 25 years, Carol Barrett has crafted beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry incorporating culturally significant artifacts from Asia and India with the highest quality semiprecious stones.

It’s hard for her to believe it has been so many years. She remembers her first journey through China when she collected so many unique historic figurines carved into mammoth ivory, jade, wood and silver.

They were irresistible to her. She brought dozens and dozens of artifacts home from that trip. Though it was the not initial plan, she started weaving the pieces into one-of-a-king original jewelry designs with beautiful semiprecious stones.

“I love the creativity of finding a piece that’s really beautiful and full of history and repurposing it into something wearable,” Barrett said.

Repurposing and bringing history to life the way Barrett does has become popular. But when she started 25 years ago, it wasn’t quite as common. No one else was finding ways to make historic and artistic carvings come to life.

The mammoth ivory netsukes Barrett collected in Asia are particularly special.

“Most people would just display them,” she said. “You don’t find the netsuke in jewelry. But, I thought – why not wear them.”

Wearing these historic pieces showcases them and celebrates the artists who created them in a bigger, bolder way than they might have imagined.

The original pieces Barrett made for herself and friends got a lot of attention.

Everywhere she went, including high-end boutiques, she received compliments on her jewelry. Boutique buyers quickly gobbled up all of her jewelry and it wasn’t long before Saks Fifth Avenue was carrying Barrett’s work, then called Gemini.

Barrett has traveled to galleries and had exhibits of her pieces all over the country and even abroad. Today, women from all over the world are drawn to her unique, high-quality jewelry, which they typically find online.

She takes great pride in collecting unique pieces that aren’t just beautiful, but that also come with inspiring stories.

She always gets the stories about the pieces she collects. She writes up those histories so the women who wear her work can know the history as well.

“I strive to make jewelry that’s beautiful and fun that makes a statement,” Barrett said. “But if you know the history and cultural significance of a piece, it can make it even more interesting.”

Barrett is drawn to beautiful and unusual pieces when she travels the globe hunting for little treasures. While the beauty draws her in, the story is usually what makes her commit or walk away from an artifact.

“My work has definitely evolved over the years,” she said.

All of her jewelry used to be very big and chunky. Now, she is more varied. She draws inspiration from current fashion, but Barrett’s pieces are timeless and constant in their quality.

“I haven’t seen anyone else making something like this,” Barrett said. “I make one-of-a-kind statement pieces.”

Japanese artists take inspiration from animals

Fri, 08 Aug 2014 21:19:55 +0100

Animal symbolism is hugely important in Asian culture.

With that knowledge, it’s no wonder Japanese artists have been carefully carving animal sculptures for thousands of years. Many of the most prized Japanese animal carvings are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand or wear on a necklace. Beginning in the 17^th century, Japanese men would hang small pouches for their pipes, coins, seals and other personal belongings from their traditional sashes. To keep the pouches in place, they attached counterweights to the opposite ends of a cords.

Japanese artists began carving what are today known as netsuke to decoratively counterweight these pouches.

Japanese Netsuke

Netsuke were most popular in Japan from about 1615 to 1868 and were carved from mammoth and elephant ivory, ebony, fossil walrus tusk, mahogany, rosewood and hippopotamus teeth. However, netsuke have been found in other parts of Asia as well and a select few artists continue to carve the small sculptures.

The pieces typically depict scenes from ancient Japanese folklore and almost always include at least one symbolic animal.

Japanese animal symbolism

To genuinely appreciate the beautiful Japanese netsuke that sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars around the world, depending on their histories and creators, you must first understand the animals Japanese artists chose to include in their tiny original sculptures.

• The fish

So many netsuke – both original and new – include fish. It could be because the fish is one of the most humble and optimistic creatures in Japanese animal symbolism. It’s believed the koi fish can climb the falls of the Yellow River to transform into a powerful dragon. That will take a lot of work, perseverance and also luck.

• The fisherman

The fisherman is the workingman in Japanese culture. While not an animal, the fisherman is one of the most commonly depicted figures in Japanese netsuke. The netsuke could suggest humble roots again or could be channeling Ebisu or Hiruko, the god of fishermen and the workingman. He’s one of the seven gods of fortune.

• The dragon

The dragon is one of Japan’s most beloved mythic creatures. While Japan’s dragon was more fish-like and represented a water god, the culture quickly absorbed dragon images and symbolism from neighboring China, India and korea. The dragon is not only the imperial emblem of China, it also symbolizes power, strength, wisdom and goodness.

• The rabbit

The rabbit is known for virtue and longevity. It’s also believed to be lucky and able to make bad fortune vanish.

• Spotted Deer

The spotted deer is believed to be a good omen bringing good fortune to anyone who sees it. Chinese legend tells that the sika deer is the only creature capable of finding the magic fungus of immortality.

• The fox

The wily fox is believed to have supernatural qualities enabling it to assume human form and mischievously toy with love affairs. It symbolizes powers of the heart and longevity.

• The frog

For a good night’s sleep, a frog could help. Frogs are believed to inspire pleasant dreams in Japanese culture. They’re also known for bringing good luck and abundant rain. In Korea, dreaming of a frog while pregnant could mean the baby will be a boy.

• The tiger

The tiger symbolizes power, strength and invincibility. It is the king of the jungle in Asian cultures and is believed to ward off evil. It is also sometimes seen as a symbol of the destructiveness of evil. Dreaming of a tiger suggests a power shift is coming in your life.

There are so many significances for animals and they vary across cultures. Japanese netsuke artists might have approached their work with this symbolism in mind or they might have applied Chinese or other Asian interpretations to their works.

Whatever the background, the pieces are beautiful and intricate one-of-a-kind carvings that are often hundreds or even thousands of years old. Please browse the Carol Barrett Jewelry collection mammoth ivory netsuke.