New Identities

Just this past September I got married!  And, with marriage comes a new sense of identity.  Its been pretty interesting replying to people when asked the question, "what is your name?".  Being a liberal, open minded individual - a free thinker - I decided that changing my name is just as empowering, if not more, than keeping my identity linked to my dad's family.  It is a little sad to think about a literal and visual record of breaking ties with my dad's roots, but the connection, of course, lives on.  I do have to admit that I might have and continue to be experiencing a little bit of "staking my ground", "standing tall" as an individual, as the name change settles in.  With marriage comes the beauty of forever knowing you have allowed yourself to give and receive love, respect and joy in balance with another human being.  With marriage, and its unifying nature, also comes the struggle and challenge to maintain an individual identity.  We are, after all, human and this basic aspect of our existence makes us unique, each and everyone of us.  So, how do you balance your uniqueness with your union to another?  The answer is lifelong and interesting (I imagine and hope), and brings change in great ways to a life that once seemed "right", but now seems capable of improvement, as we all are, most of the time.

So, my new identity as Amira Axe, and not Amira Mednick, and my new website, www.amirajewelry.com, makes me feel proud and strong, within grasp of my life just enough to direct the show, and, to feel free enough to let things ride out.  I have chosen a partner who reminds me everyday how love, life and truth are beautiful and often overlooked and taken for granted.  Thank you, Noah. I love you.


I'm curious to hear how marriage as affected your lives?

Spring Projects & Events

Oh beautiful and inspiring Spring! 

The intoxicating floral breezes are triggering my creative spirit

I am once again a busy bee 

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AMiRA jewelry can now be found in new stores here in Portland and beyond!

One of the local favorites, Presents of Mind, has picked up the collection and it has been well received!  Union Rose in Montavilla, a charming store in a charming little neighborhood of North East Portland, also stocks my colorful and fun pieces!

Other new locations include:

Heritage Dry Goods
1720 Santa Ana Ave, Ste B
Costa Mesa, Ca.  92627

Delta Workshop

2598 21st St. 

Sacramento, CA 95818 

.... and more coming soon!

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 NAKATE

+

AMiRA 

jewelry

I'm honored to be working with Shanley Knox, CEO and founder of NAKATE, a Brooklyn-based company that provides unique designs from Ugandan artisans to fashion conscious women. NAKATE uses the creation of their pieces as an opportunity to establish relationships connecting Ugandan professionals and artisans with marginalized women in rural villages – using African talent to nourish African growth and development.

We have teamed up to create an exclusive Mother's Day gift in a variety of colors using macrame techniques, metalwork, and handmade paper beads crafted by female artists in Uganda.  

I love the union of two cultures being expressed here, the Argentine traditions of macrame and the African recycled paper beads.  In fact, this project represents even more with AMiRA jewelry working out of Portland Oregon and NAKATE running operations out of Brooklyn New York, we have brought together coasts and countries to support women everywhere!!!

New Projects + Talent + Working Together

I recently had the wonderful experience of working with the very talented photographer, Alyson Levy, who I met while she was shooting the wedding of my dear friends.  Alyson is fun to work with and has a picky eye, which means she takes excellent photographs and only settles for the very best.  We first worked together to capture some of my new line, which is now for sale at the lovely Presents of Mind in Portland, Oregon, and will be featured on BRIKA, a website space where the art of storytelling meets the thrill of the find and a shopper may find handcrafted quality goods made by independent artists.  Many of the new pieces are also for sale on my website: www.amiramednick.com.

Our next project together was capturing the maker of the art, me!  I don't know if you have ever had your photograph taken professionally, but it can make one feel vulnerable and awkward.  Thankfully, Alyson is so great at making the subject feel comfortable and have fun.  I was thrilled with the entire experience and with the results!

Fab.com SALE starts in 2 days!

SALE @ Fab.com

Fab.com SALE starts in 2 days and you don't want to miss it!  

We are featuring many new designs at super discounted prices!  

AMiRA jewelry is featured in The Latin Design Shop on fab.com with many other wonderful designs and products inspired by Latin and South America.  

Full of color, life and brilliance, these pieces warm the soul! 

Crafty Bastard 2012!!!

The Washingtonian has noted AMiRA jewelry as one of the ten not-to-miss vendors at Crafty Bastard Arts Fair this year in Washington DC!!!

Experience. Exploration. Documentation.

I have been exploring the use of metal in my work more and more this year.  I really enjoy the process and aesthetic of transforming a piece of silver, brass or gold to achieve a certain quality that compliments my knotted macrame pieces.  The experimentation continues....and I feel, now more than ever, capable to create designs and ideas sketched in my notebook. 

Its a beautiful thing being able to evolve through learning, playing and just going for it!!  

Here are some recent images from the Bend Fall Festival in Bend Oregon.  It was a lovely weekend with many families, artists, great musicians, food, and beautiful weather.

I enjoyed interacting with my customers and fellow artists.  Each show is such a different experience and I love the surprise of what I might learn and who I might meet...I am fortunate.

Our photo shoot with Street Shutter Photography and model, Melanie Ooi, was such a success and so much fun.  Here are just a few of my favorites.  It was a nice collaboration between three artists with different tastes and ideas.

New AMiRA jewelry @ Rhapsody Boutique

Rhapsody Boutique is located in the Historic FORD Building on SE Division and 11th.

A beautiful space with simple, chic and modern clothing and accessories.

Distressed wood and vintage mannequins, cracked historic concrete floors and tall ceilings, this boutique is a site to see, and the owner, Zanita, is so lovely and passionate about handmade, unique and quality designer work....you must visit soon!  

Check out some of the latest AMiRA jewelry designs now available at Rhapsody Boutique.