When Barbara Klar created her first piece of jewelry 50 years ago, she had no idea of the journey that lay before her. The entire process of designing and making "art to wear" intrigued Barbara-from the challenge of developing a vocabulary of skills to her participation in the entire history and tradition of metalsmithing. In 1979, upon moving to NYC with her first participation in a group show at Robert Lee Morris's "ArtWear" Gallery in SoHo, Barbara was introduced into a whole new concept that jewelry could be artistic, fashionable, wearable & saleable on a small production basis. Elements of fashion and history are fused into her designs. Influences from cultures such as Celtic, Egyptian and Native American as well as Contemporary Street Graffiti often come into play. Barbara's work has been worn by rock stars, featured in print, television and film and even worn to the Oscars & Cannes. Today, she creates Modern Heirlooms in her studio in Woodstock, NY.
Within these pages is the story of Barbara's journey. There are bumps and failures, successes and rejections. It goes like this: "If I had a quarter for every time I heard 'You're so Talented' in my life, I'd be a wealthy woman. When I moved to NYC from Cleveland in 1979, I was fresh out of art school, completely unprepared and naïve. I pounded the pavement with my portfolio under my arm and looked for work in my craft. Eventually I started a business and now I say 'Talent' is only 5% of what it takes to be successful, let alone be happy. Today, success is not what I imagined it to be in 1979."
