Michelle & Wendy Arbeit

Twin designers of Lulet, Michelle and Wendy Arbeit are inspired by the unusual and the ordinary alike: a flower, a bridge, Greek mythology, and a martini are all fair game. Lulet's interpretation of light-hearted, upscale whimsy is apparent in all of its designs: sterling silver is fashioned into whimsical bows, ribbons, butterflies, and tulips; tiny bellflowers dance gracefully with Swarovski crystals; and a Chinese saltwater pearl becomes a glowing orb balancing dramatically on an architecturally inspired symmetrical band.

Wendy and Michelle's background in mixed media, sculpture, painting and photography has greatly influenced their vision, and their dynamic synergy is evidenced in the extraordinary designs they have collaborated on. Their talent is in assemblage—taking parts, pieces, ideas, and found objects and playing with them. They never draw to scale, map out a design, or question whether or not something can be done. They simply create.

Although formally schooled in jewelry design and trained by master goldsmiths in Italy, Wendy and Michelle reject the notion that jewelry must be sterile, predictable, or boring. The whimsical designs maintain a distinct hand-worked appearance and are never "perfect" or commonplace. Materials are not limited to sterling silver—18K gold, lamp-worked glass, gems and found objects are all sources of inspiration.

Lulet means "flowers" in Albanian, a name that was conceived while admiring the painted flowers on the ceiling of Florence's Duomo. Like flowers, Lulet's designs are always fresh, inviting, and beautiful. Also like the beauty of flowers, Lulet's designs are timeless, whimsical, and wonderful sources of happiness.