Seattle - January 24, 2007

Art’s Cool

Michelle Lenae Jewelry

You think of your jewelry box (drawer, really) as an art collection. 

It’s got more colors than a Chihuly. It’s definitely prettier than a certain Gehry. And some of it’s as groundbreaking as the Olympic Sculpture Park.

And, like all masterpieces, it’s never quite complete. Especially without a bold, organic piece from local jeweler Michelle Lenáe.

Not one to paint by numbers, Lenáe mixes gold and silver with abandon using asymmetrical shapes and untreated stones (champagne quartz, star ruby, aquamarine) to give earrings and necklaces a structural quality, while an old Portuguese faceting technique sets cocktail rings apart.

For something unorthodox, try the Sweet Petite pinky rings — scaled down baubles for your oft-forgotten finger. They’re eye-catching but also elegantly understated.

Which is just the kind of art you appreciate.

Available at Colaizzo, 1623 Queen Anne Avenue North (206-285-7212); La Rousse, 430 Virginia Street (206-448-1515).