At All For The Better Designs,  I try to create “feel good” jewelry that is both unique and compelling.  At art shows, it is really thrilling to me to watch someone walk up to my booth and smile or tell me how beautiful my “work” is.

My Story.....

I started out my jewelry-making while living in the Caribbean, specifically, the US Virgin Islands.  Whenever, I went to buy a piece of costume jewelry, I was amazed at the cost...I decided that I could do that.  So, I started stringing beads and making necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  I found it fascinating and soon I had LOTS of jewelry.  I began giving it away as gifts until all my female relatives had a bunch themselves.  That began my selling career....

However, I soon began to tire of stringing beads...especially because I wasn’t feeling very creative with it.  That’s when I tried out several different jewelry making techniques before settling on metalsmithing.  

My Current Story...

I currently work in metals including fine & sterling silver, copper & copper alloys, gold, stainless steel and niobium. I often use different types of surface texturing like roll printing, reticulation with gild depletion, fold-forming, forging, repousse, enameling, hammering and etching. Many of my metal pieces are married using hot connecting methods such as soldering, Kuem Boo or fusion or cold connections such as rivets, eyelets and handcrafted chain (chain maille).

My Motivation and Inspiration...

Much of my motivation comes from customers or just visitors to my art show booths.  Making others “feel good” is pretty much all the motivation I need.

My inspiration comes from widely varied sources.  One is my customers....someone will see a particular style and ask if I had or would consider an alternative or enhancement.  Another is things in nature...plants, animals, birds, flowers...the usual inspirations one would expect for most artists.  Still another I have noticed quite recently is other forms of art or architectural features.  There are times, though, as most artists experience...no inspiration.  At times like that, I head out to my studio and just handle the metals, the different shapes, etc. and I often get over my “writer’s block”.  

I have finally gotten around to getting my jewelry online.  Hope you smile....

Warmly,

Bernadette Szajna