Photo: SFMCD.org

You may have briefly read in my post-Christmas article about the San Francisco Craft + Design Museum in Union Square. Those of you who have not had the chance in stepping inside this charmingly handsome gallery of crafts must make time to do so now.

A haven of the finest and wildly interesting crafts and designs, this tiny corner in the heart of Union Square is a world class venue. I cannot stress how much I've wondered why I haven't found this place sooner. The San Francisco Craft + Design Museum can easily be the muse of a graphic artist and/or fashion designer or even anyone appreciative of articulate crafts such as the ones displayed in this gallery. I guarantee you'll feel right at home here.

Last night, I had the privilege in attending a private viewing of the museum's upcoming exhibition, Designers on Jewelry: Twelve Years of Jewelry Production by Chi ha paura...? (translation: Who's afraid of...contemporary Jewelry?) The exhibition design is done by Dutch jewelry designer and co-founder of Droog Design, Gijs Bakker, who creates a dialog with international designers about jewelry and its place in the modern world. As expected, I was astounded and blown away by the ornate displays of fine jewelry and art pieces throughout the small gallery. I was especially impressed by the Bling Bling piece by Frank Tjepkema, a gold-plated steel pendant of seven wafer-thin layers of overlapping logos, meant to represent our new religion and passion: shopping! It was by far my favorite exhibit in the gallery out of the many.

I had the chance and the pleasure to chat with Gijs Bakker, the talented designer of the exhibition. A designer and teacher with more than 40 years under his belt, together he and Italian gallery owner Marijke Vallanzasca Bakker founded the Chi ha puara...? foundation in 1996 with a purpose to show the international design world that a piece of jewelry is more than a decorative fashion accessory. He translates this quite well at the Designers on Jewelry exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design. During our conversation he compares Dutch vs. Italian jewelry, stating that Dutch are "against decoration" and are "pure." It was beautiful the way he expressed his desire in what he does for a living, and also quite inspirational.

Here's a preview of some of my favorite pieces from the exhibition:

[Images courtesy of San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design]

If you couldn't tell by now, I clearly have a thing for gold!

The Designers on Jewelry exhibition starts today and is up until May 15th. It's an exhibition I would highly recommend and can easily gain inspiration from on top of their very cute gift shop, another must see!

The San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design Museum is located at 550 Sutter Street and Mason, San Francisco.

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The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10a-5p / Thursday 10a-7p / Sunday 12p-5p / closed on Monday

Admission is $3 for adults / $2 for seniors and students / free for children

Additionally, on Saturday afternoon, Gijs Bakker himself will hold a lecture at the Marriott Hotel Union Square from 4p-6p at 480 Sutter Street & and Powell, San Francisco (near the museum). The Speaker Event will be free for members of SFMC+D / $20 for non-members / $10 for students with valid I.D. During my conversation with Gijs, I was able to gain a little insight on what he will cover during his lecture, and he will be discussing the drive behind his work and his way of thinking so this will be a Speaker Event that you don't want to miss.

For more information about the museum visit their website.