About the Jewelry

The unique features of my work are reflected in four distinct lines of jewelry, each drawing inspiration from natural forms and patterns: overlay, fabricated jewelry with semi-precious stones, enamel and casting. First, the overlay technique, which either mirrors a natural image from a stone, such as Jasper or Turquoise, or the metalwork is inspired by the stone; for example, a flock of birds flying over a sparkling blue Druzy Agate ocean. My hinge pendants are the most recognized in this line. I separate enamel work and semi-precious stones into two lines of jewelry. Through my loosely termed "fabricated jewelry technique", I use a photo etching process to create patterns inspired by or taken from the natural world, such as the pattern of a loon's feathers, an organic spiral pattern or a zebra's hide. In this process, I use photo-etched plates to roller print images onto sterling silver and then incorporate either enamel or semi-precious stones into the finished piece. Classified under the same lines of jewelry, I also use a technique called piercing and sawing to create negative space as the image. Often, I set stones in the center of the pattern. This process is great for large lightweight earrings. In my remaining line of jewelry, I cast in two different ways. Centrifugally casting organic matter, such as an acorn top or Eucalyptus pod creating earrings and pendants with pearls set in them. And, last, but not least, I cast into the bone of a cuttlefish for it's distinct organic texture and form the castings into rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants.

About Daria

I grew up in Chicago, IL and moved to Santa Cruz, California in the early 1990´s. While studying at Cabrillo College I came across a jewelry making class and was immediately drawn to working with metal. After numerous jewelry, bronze casting and sculpture courses, I transferred to San Jose State University and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in small metals. After receiving my BFA, I started purchasing equipment for my studio; a rolling mill, jewelers bench, flex shaft, and polishing machine to name a few. Being a Santa Cruz Open Studios participant for the past six years and sharing my workshop with the public has been a very gratifying experience. In addition, I was a jewelers apprentice part time for three years learning repairs and the fine jewelry trade. I am also a member of the Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild, the San Francisco Metal Arts Guild and a member of SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths). My work can currently be found at Many Hands Gallery in Capitola, California, Jody Royee Gallery in Carmel Valley, California, Lireille Gallery in Oakland, California and the ACCI Gallery in Berkeley, California.