JET of the Day - ShazzabethCreations

Hello to everyone, glad you’re here today! I know you will feel the same when you step into Sharon’s shop, ShazzabethCreations. All the way from New Zealand, and the magic of the internet, come the unbelievable designs of this UK transplant and superb jewelry designer, artist and teacher.

Since joining the JET Team, I’ve been in awe of Sharon’s talent. You may have noticed that there are literally dozens of styles and techniques that jewelry-making artists can choose from. For example, one re-born jewelry-making technique is Kumihimo, the ancient Japanese art of braiding. Then of course there is beadwork or bead weaving, or metalsmithing, stamping, leather, wire wrapping ... I could go on and on! Another technique I haven’t yet mentioned is the beautiful, traditional and intricate style of chain maille.

Good chainmaille will make your jaw drop, while you stare in awe, and take a deep sigh! And Sharon’s (or Shazz, as we affectionately call her) skill is masterful! I've selected a few examples of what I’m talking about. Her Swarovski and Sterling Chainmaille Necklace (1) shows a style that might leave you wondering... "How on earth did she get those crystals inside?" That is truly what I want to know! Her Diamond Chainmaille Necklace (2) might leave you saying "Oh my goodness that must have taken ages!!!" Or maybe by just looking at the Trizantine Necklace with Sodalite (3), you KNOW how much time, skill and dedication it must take to complete a piece of jewelry such as this.

As with many talented jewelry artists, Shazz has mastered skills outside the chainmaille technique, making for a unique blend of styles offered in her shop. One very popular style of jewelry-making is wire-wrapping. You’ve probably been enchanted with this style, that allows the artist room for more expression in the design and provides the capacity to incorporate gemstones, crystals, digital art - really, the skies the limit - and I believe that’s why this style has enjoyed a long run and will continue to do so.

Wouldn’t you love to wear something as beautiful as the Eudialyte & Garnet Sterling Silver Bangle (4)? Jewelry pieces of this caliber become heirlooms, that with proper care will be here a hundred years from now. Sharon's earring set of Silver, Gemstone and Lampwork Earrings (5) make a stunning combination that might leave you weak in the knees, they sure do that to me!

As a jewelry maker, I love to admire other artist’s "pretties", and for many of my fellow jewelry artisans, lampwork is right at the top of our most admired list (next to gemstones)! Lampwork is an art all unto itself, so when purchasing a piece of Sharon's jewelry that contains handmade “lampies”(as some of us call them) you are actually helping to support two artists, which is really very neat! Sharon incorporates some beautiful lampwork from other artisans, making her jewelry incredible pieces of art. I love this whimsical Lampwork Owl & Silver Pendant (6) - he seems to have a personality of his own, and Sharon has secured him in woven wire, depicting the healed over wound of a tree branch. This, of course, is just where one might expect to find an owl!

I do hope you get a chance to stop and visit ShazzabethCreations, and pick up a special treasure of your own or a gift for someone special!
Donna