Collection: Artista
Artista metal jewelry is created using the next generation in printed jewelry design. The artwork is printed directly onto the metal and permanently fused into the metal with the application of heat and pressure. This process results in high definition graphics with amazing full color saturation and protection from UV light and moisture. The durable enamel like finish is scratch resistant and waterproof. These highly versatile fun earrings are lightweight and water resistant.
Artista has been creating jewelry for over 42 years and is a self-taught artist with no formal art education. With two children to support and to supplement her income she fell into creating jewelry. She began in the early 80’s when the economy was booming and it was the era of big shoulders, big hair and big statement jewelry. Her original line was called Despina and was carried by boutiques and museums around the world. Despina thrived and grew. Her designs appeared in t.v. series, music videos and were commissioned by musicians and actresses. In the mid 90’s she appeared on national television on the home shopping network, QVC. In the early 2000’s she began collaboration with Coldwater Creek, a multi channel catalog company, and produced hundreds of thousands of pieces for them. Her studio expanded into production work along with adding 50 employees. In 2008 she discovered WholesaleCrafts.Com, currently IndieMe, and have been a member ever since. The original line she showcased was RiverPath Studio. This line was whimsical and fun with lots of layers of hammered and detailed embossed metal. After a very successful run of this line she decided to retire it. After 35 years of hammering and soldering brass, silver and copper metal she wanted a change. She wanted to add color to her design palette.
She started developing the idea for ARTISTA in 2015. After experimenting with various processes she landed on a procedure that resulted in bright rich permanent color that could be applied to light weight aluminum, brass and silver components. This new line is in its first phase and she is just beginning to experiment with all the design possibilities. Not being one to be happy with the basic rectangles, circles and squares I have begun expanding my component base to custom shapes and themes. Her love of layering and adding detail will be a contributing factor to her developing line as well as photographic imagery and original art combined with the wonders of PhotoShop. The color combinations and themes have endless possibilities. A walk through the woods, a visit to the beach or even a trip into the city leaves her with ideas to carry back to the studio to develop into new delightful images for her jewelry. She enters the studio everyday with joy and gratitude for the opportunity to follow the path of her creative evolution.
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way--things I had no words for.” Georgia O'Keeffe