New jewelry line utilizes bits, pieces from Fallingwater
One of the side benefits to come out of the recent restoration of Fallingwater was the casting of extraneous bits and pieces of the building into a stunning jewelry line available as bracelets, earrings, pendants and cuff links. The idea sprung from a 1998 visit by Fallingwater director Lynda Waggoner to Dresden Cathedral, which was virtually destroyed during World War II. On her look around the site, Waggoner saw a collector’s watch into which fragments of the cathedral had been incorporated and sold as part of a fund-raising effort.
“We thought it was a wonderful idea, but were concerned that whatever we did with our own fragments from the Fallingwater restoration be tastefully done,” said Waggoner.
“So, for several years, we looked for some way to use the fragments that would be both respectful of the building, as well as artistic. Eventually, we discovered the right artist, Cara Markowitz, at the American Craft Council’s Winter Market in Baltimore, a juried show that is among the finest in the country.”
The jewelry is a sensory reminder of the wearer’s affinity for Fallingwater, an authentic, tangible and real way to be reminded of his or her experience at the landmark house and the desire to be connected to it.
The jewelry also functions as a memento not unlike the stone one brings back home from a favorite beach, but, more importantly, gives individuals all over the world an opportunity to participate in the restoration.
Although work on the house is now nearing completion, the effort to preserve Fallingwater is not yet complete.
Funds generated from the sale of the jewelry will help to finance the ongoing preservation of the building.
The jewelry incorporates small pieces of the original structure recovered during the restoration. These fragments were then suspended in resin by Markowitz, of C.lina Designs in New York, and hand-crafted into pieces of art jewelry. All the jewelry pieces are set with sterling silver and are available only through the Fallingwater museum shop or on-line at www.paconserve.org.
“For its size, Fallingwater’s museum shop is one of the most successful in the entire country for an historic home,” said Betsy Poole, museum shop manager.
“Our high-volume sales are probably generated because we have a sophisticated clientele and a built-in Frank Lloyd Wright fan base. I feel that the jewelry that came out of the restoration is one of our best creations.”
For further information, phone 724-329-1702.