After sending my Mucha prototypes to NCMA, I was told they needed to be approved. I didn't know exactly what that meant. Turns out, they were sending my designs to Alfonse Mucha's great grandson.
To my delight, Marcus Mucha, who heads the Mucha Foundation, replied: These are stunning! We love them! Very happy for you to move forward with these.
I couldn't believe that Mucha's own descendant had just complimented my work. I was on a serious high.
Working with the Mucha Foundation was a true honor. Having an officially licensed product, seeing the Mucha logo on my own packaging, blew my mind—and gave me serious bragging rights with my Czech relatives.
I'm so thankful to NCMA for giving me the opportunity.
Experimentation
Translating Mucha's delicate curves into a laser-friendly design was a challenge. To replicate his sinuous linework, I experimented with laser engraving and laser cutting. In the end, I preferred the laser cut shapes.
Mucha Mod
Mucha Traditional
I knew there’d be Mucha lovers out there looking for jewelry with a softer touch, so taking a few more cues from Art Nouveau, I created a more traditional design.
I honed in on a frosted gold material, the patina has a special beauty and sophistication. This acrylic color was discontinued several years ago. I’ve held on to my last three sheets for an ultra special project, and this was it!
No matter how many times I look at Mucha's shapes, I’m still mesmerized by their uniqueness.
Above are Mucha's own jewelry designs (wow!). I noticed that the freshwater pearls he used were quite similar to those on a vintage necklace of mine. So for a more formal design, these faux pearls became an upcycled design alternative. (I only had enough pearls for 25 pairs, so these were even more limited edition!)
Mucha Multiplied
Combinaisons Ornementales advertised its designs as “multipliable to infinity with the aid of a mirror”. For this bracelet design, I took that idea to heart—multiplying and overlapping one shape to form something new.
With a larger surface area, I was able to achieve the intricate detail that Art Nouveau is known for.
Product Dabbling
My graphic background guided these last few non-jewelry designs.
Using walnut wood painted gold, I engraved Mucha's artwork to create special keepsakes.
My favorite was this 12" cartouche which featured Moon from the Moon and Stars series.
It was a privilege to fuse my own brand with Mucha's work, a joy to see how the old can mingle with the new.
