Lireille      
Gallery of Contemporary Jewelry and Art
Jewelry by Daria

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 various metal guilds and a member of SNAG (Society of
North American Goldsmiths).