The lovely store at the Palm Beach Plaza Mall is proud to introduce its second Caribbean Queen, a local artisan who lives and creates here. On opening day Caribbean Queen pledged to honor a monthly artist by showcasing their work in the store. For the month of January, it was Carina Molina with Upcycled Design, bags, belts and jewelry made from discarded rubber inner tubes. For the month of February, it is glass artist Gabriela Gonzalez.
Gabriela is showing a great collection of necklaces and rings, earrings, key chains and book markers, all original designs, featuring colorful glass beads. The necklaces can be worn different ways, and the rings, strung on aluminum wire, are guaranteed to maintain their luster.
Born in Argentina, Gabriela moved to Aruba 8 years ago. Ever since she remembers, she has always explored her inner artist, traveling different artistic avenues such as painting, writing, decorating, and recycling. Art lives inside me, she explains, striving to break loose and express itself.
Gabriela found her favorite medium in early 2003, making her first vitrage with Murano Glass. She immediately became hooked. Glass is the perfect channel, she enthuses, it expands the boundaries of light and color, and working at the torch, feels like painting with fire, every movement brings surprises, allowing the expression of personal style, color mixing, and the use of different tools to create most amazing results. The Beauty of the Bead as a form of Art lies in the fact that where the artist’s creative process ends, the Jewelry comes to life, lending sophistication and elegance to the wearer, long into eternity.
About the technique: Lampworking is a type of glasswork that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Lampworking delivers the highest quality glass which is much less breakable. The unique beads are made with precision and care. We hope you find them as exciting as we do!
Finding the perfect piece: Becoming the owner of a piece of Art made in Aruba, immediately attaches sentimental value to the purchase. Your one-of-a-kind piece can also be ordered in different colors and styles, befitting your individual look.
True to its credo which is Adorn Thyself, the Caribbean Queen store boasts a great selection of jewelry, bags, totes and clutches, hats, hair ornaments and accessories, belts, animal print umbrellas, headbands, and the latest, cute fascinators, those classy, lacy and feathery head coverings, perfect for Carnival.
Visit the store at the Palm Beach Plaza Mall, and enjoy the unusual décor and unique merchandise. The store is fund-raising for three local art foundations via its repair of the world, Tikkun Olam program, designating a percentage of every purchase to The Aruba International Arts Foundation, AIAF, supporting local artists, or the Pancake Gallery, offering summer art courses to youths, or Ateliers’ 89, an art school and studio for adults.
Caribbean Queen offers gift-certificates in all denominations, which can never expire!
Visit soon and Adorn Thyself.
