Cell Cycle, our first line of 3d-printed jewelry, was introduced in 2009 and originally only consisted of bangle bracelets and rings. Earlier this year, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Store asked us to create a companion earring design to add to our bestselling rings and bracelets. You can see the earrings we created for them below. They are available for purchase exclusively at the SFMoMA store in San Francisco and online.
We also created a matching necklace design which is for sale on our own website. The Cellular Pendant, the first necklace in the Cell Cycle collection, is available in black and white polished nylon and also in sterling silver. The black and white nylon pieces are 3d-printed using Selective Laser Sintering while the sterling silver version is cast from a 3d-printed wax. The sterling silver version of the Cellular Pendant comes on a 20″ sterling silver snake chain and is packaged in wood box laser engraved with cellular pattern. It’s for sale here on our website and also at the WIRED holiday store in NYC. The black and white versions come with 18″ sterling silver cable chains.
You might be a bit surprised to hear, but the newest, biggest retailers where you can buy Nervous System jewelry are Amazon.com and it’s new fashion website Endless. It is pretty bizarre to see our products side-by-side with their more mainstream fair of lines by celebrities like Jessica Simpson and Nicky Hilton.
One of the many interesting aspects of being carried by Endless is that they do a very thorough job with promotional materials. They do all of their own imaging (including 360 videos for every product in every size and color!). Additionally, we recently discovered they’re supplementing our product descriptions with their own copy. Most of the time when media or a retailer writes up our work, we kind of cringe. Often it is just poor paraphrasing of our own words which obfuscates their meaning even further. But these descriptions are kind of awesome in a surreal, pop culture way. Let’s compare their descriptions with our own.
Interstice Bracelet Our description
Inspired by the complex forms of radiolarians, where intricate pattern is integral to structure, these shapes derive from a simulation of spring meshes which form mirrored catenoid surfaces. We created interactive software to morph, twist, and subdivide each design, transforming a simple mesh to a complex patterned structure.
The final design is built up layer by layer in durable nylon plastic using Selective Laser Sintering, a kind of 3D printing. These forms would be impossible to create by traditional manufacturing methods. The process imparts the pieces with a coral-like texture.
Their description
Featuring a one-of-a-kind pattern inspired by cellular forms and created via computer simulation, the Nervous System Interstice Bracelet is breathtaking in its intricacy and sleek black tones. This bangle’s design is built up layer by layer in durable nylon plastic using selective laser sintering, a type of 3-D printing. These kinds of prints are impossible to make with traditional design methods, giving this bracelet the added cache of being as technologically innovative as it is comfortable and stylish. A great choice for those who are drawn to the rich texture of organic shapes and textures, this bangle adds instant drama and interest to tunics, flowy tops, and maxi dresses. It’s also understated enough to pair with skinny jeans, tees, and twill jackets.
Dendrite I Earrings Our description
Stainless steel is photochemically etched into delicate forms inspired by the aggregate growth of coral and dendrite crystals. These earrings hang from surgical steel findings and are comfortably lightweight.
Their description
Inspired by the natural beauty of sea coral and made of photo chemically etched stainless steel with stainless steel ear wires for comfortable wear, the Nervous System Dendrite I Earrings have a fun, dangly design that instantly livens up casual and work basics. These pretty earrings boast a unique genesis that makes them a true conversation piece. Their pattern was “grown” via a computer simulation that mimics the development of coral and other branching forms. Their 2-inch drop is also dramatic enough to show off the finely detailed design and catch the light as you move through your busy day.
Now, you may be tempted to bundle your next Nervous System purchase with a new toaster or the Disney “Believe in Yourself” Rabbit Ring, but please continue to support us directly so we can continue making awesome stuff.
One of our favorite stockists in Los Angeles is Carol Young Undesigned. The shop sells clothes by designer Carol Young and accessories by other brands, including Nervous System. Carol emailed me yesterday to let me know they had just completed a video showing their new line which includes several of our Cell Cycle bracelets. I think the video does a great job of showing off the clothes and I’m excited to have our jewelry included. One note of interest, the music in the film was generated from the sounds of the machinery they use to fabricate their designs!
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