Jewelry designers are too often given the bum's rush when it comes to being considered " true" artists. This is always something that has irked me. Why just because a piece of artwork might be functional and fashionable should it be considered second class to something that is hung on a wall to stare at or set on a table only to collect dust?

Ciara Marasigan is one jewelry artist who is working to change this, and so far, she's been pretty successful. In fact, she recently participated in her first museum exhibit at Ayala Museum located in Makati City in the Philippines. Her work is part of a three-woman show entitled " Cristal Fantaisie,." Per the museum's website: " Ciara Marasigan, is the artist behind Ciara Creates, a line of handcrafted jewelry. Captivating and useful, her unique creations blaze a new trail in the concept of Philippine visual arts by offering a fashion forward brand of personal ornamentation. This exhibition launches her gold and silver collection."

When you visit the Ciara Creates website, you'll notice she doesn't call her work " jewelry." Instead, she refers to it as " functional art pieces." I think that's a very appropriate title.

Additional source: Manila Times