State of the arts

There exists an undiscovered world of underground artists who target their passions toward helping us revive our wardrobes and ourselves. These artists bring the funk back into funky and the twist into our tango. They shake things up a bit by deviating from the dime-a-dozen Tiffany's bracelets and Von Dutch wristbands.

These artists are unique and eclectic, making jewelry transcend art and having their art transform back into jewelry. Through their work, these artists lend expression and voice to the people who support their work and wear their masterpieces. In turn, the people who support the artists lend an alternative voice to the pieces of jewelry as well.

Although these artists are independent from corporations and mainstream businesses, they can still make a pretty penny from their craft.

Rezurrection Gallery, on University Drive and Roosevelt Street, and Urban Angels, in the Brickyard on Mill Avenue, are both Tempe shops that support and house many of the local artists featured in this piece. With growing customer interest, other local stores are beginning to acquire various works from independent artists to display and sell.

Inner Piece

Adrienne Vermilya is an alternative jewelry artist from Phoenix. Her art and jewelry reflect her calm disposition and complement her rosy-cheeked expression.

Vermilya works with glass beads, leather and hemp to make environmentally friendly necklaces, bracelets and earrings. While constructing the jewelry and choosing the appropriate colors for her work, Vermilya incorporates her yoga lifestyle into her art by meditating on each of her pieces.

"People pick artwork by what they are drawn to and feeling at the time," Vermilya says.

Depending on the products used in developing her pieces, Vermilya charges between $24 to $60 for her art and donates part of her proceeds to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Being a recovery patient of lymphoma herself, Vermilya is very passionate about helping others with the disease and contributing to the foundation.

In addition to her work at Rezurrection Gallery, Vermilya displays her jewelry and art at At One Yoga locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Grey Hawk.

Latina Power

Kathy Cano Murillo is a local artist who has made a successful business from using her Latina background as a focus for her work. Murillo has a line called "My Latina Power," which celebrates female personalities from Mexican-American culture and turns them into bracelets and necklaces.

When Murillo has her way, visions of Guadalupe and Mexican romance comic books are turned into vibrant jewelry. These pulp-fiction pieces are sold for $32 at Rezurrection Gallery. Murillo's work can also be found at Purple Lizard Boutique at 15th Avenue and Thomas Road, Suenos at Seventh Avenue and Indian School Road -- both are in Phoenix -- and other Valley shops.

Bead It

ASU communications senior Michele Tyler utilizes her talents and resources to produce original pieces of jewelry. About three years ago, Tyler took her cue from a good friend who sparked her interest in jewelry making. Since then, Tyler has found her own niche, making pieces for display and purchase at Urban Angels and customizing pieces for individual orders.

"I make my work not with the intention to make money, rather as an outlet for relief--like a therapy," Tyler says.

Occasionally, Tyler coordinates jewelry parties (like Tupperware parties) where fellow artists gather and concentrate their efforts on selling work. Tyler also takes custom orders, which vary from individual orders to orders for wedding and sweet 16 parties.

Mi Oh My!

For Kui Mi Oh, local resident and designer, fashion is second nature. Kui Mi is the epitome of funk and glamour. Kui Mi's started about four years ago, designing and making vintage upholstery belts. Kui Mi's ambition and passion for the art of design, combined with her talent in freehand and machine sewing, developed into the line of clothes and leather handbags she offers today.

Kui Mi likes to have her hands in every aspect of producing a piece. She sketches her own designs, picks fabric and colors and oversees the manufacturing of her work.

"I like to mix thrift-style with store-bought-style, but most importantly wear what's comfortable to you," Kui Mi says. "No matter what you put on your body, be comfortable and wear it well."

When looking for a Kui Mi Oh original, look in Blush at the Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Urban Angel's in Tempe and Passage in Phoenix.

Something for everyone

By combining famous pop culture icons with beads and a bit of glamour, Emily Somers creates a kind of campy nostalgia in her pieces. Somers puts pictures of people such as Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Andy Warhol in miniature frames and accents them with beads, stones and crystals to make innovative necklaces, garnished to create a "something for everyone" collection. These pieces sell on her Web site and at Rezurrection Gallery for $25.

Kiss my glass

Another Rezurrection favorite is Lisa Goodwin and her attention-grabbing glass torched beads. By using a process of

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Goodwin first became interested in the art of bead firing when specialists from the Chihuly (glass artists) exhibit came to her house for dinner. The group had some of the most renowned bead firers in the world and explained the lampworking process.

"I quizzed these men for quite a while and learned the inner-details and specifics of bead art like I had wanted to do for a while," Goodwin says.

Goodwin also makes larger, vintage-type pieces such as ashtrays and bowls. Goodwin's beaded artwork sells for $21.98 at Rezurrection Gallery.

Fresh and Flirty

On a whim, ASU business marketing senior, Kambry Morrison, began designing scarves and skirts (skirt on cover). With young, fresh ambition, Morrison has only been in the fashion game for three weeks.

Morrison adds flare and ruffle to the average miniskirt and transforms trends into the rare and unique.

Reach the reporter at christina.chomut@asu.edu.

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