Mirjana Cesar

 

Name:   Mirjana Cesar

Website Link:  www.mirjanacesar.com

Where are you located?  Orlando, Florida

Tell us a bit about yourself:  I’m a full time mixed media artist/wearable art/jewelry designer. I was born and raised in Zagreb, Croatia. I studied furniture design at University of Zagreb. In 1992, I moved to USA with my husband (who is also an artist), where our three children were born.

When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? From a very young age, my artisan grandparents and my mother influenced me with their creative spirits. They taught me sewing, needlework, crotchet, knitting and everything else involving fiber. I started designing my own clothes and jewelry when I was in elementary school. We didn’t have any beading supply stores or  “how to” books in Yugoslavia (Croatia was part of the federation at that time), but I used my grand-grandmother’s stash of Czech seed beads and any other vintage beads that I could find to make my earrings and necklaces.   Through my thirties I put my creative ideas to rest and devoted myself to raising my kids. About four years ago I started painting, and little bit later I discovered free form peyote.

What do you make? I make wearable art jewelry, fiber art accessories and mixed media artwork.

What materials and methods do you use? Any kind of beads, precious stones, mosaic tiles, fiber, yarns, basically anything I can find interesting and combine it into my designs. Recycling is my favorite source of materials. Freedom of the free form peyote technique intrigues me, and I love exploring the new possibilities it provides.

Seaweed

Where do your design inspirations come from? Nature is my primary inspiration, memory of my grandmother’s designs, rich Croatian folk heritage and my plentiful inspiration. Very often I don’t really plan new project, just pile up materials and let it develop by itself.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? My studio is on the loft in my house. It’s divided into my beading area and painting area. I love listening to spiritual, calming music while I work.

Where can your products be seen?  My website   and Etsy store 

Magazine articles or press:  I didn’t submit to any magazines yet, but I’m planning to do it in the near future.

Who are you a fan of?  There are so many great jewelry artists, but two of my favorites are:
Lidija Fairbanks and Patrizia Tager.

Price range:  $20-$300

Tell us  a little about one of your favorite creations:  “Golden Star” was one of my first creations. It’s Free form peyote stitch necklace with mosaic glass tile, free form freshwater pearls and seed beads.

Golden Star

Anything else you wish to add:  I’m grateful to be included on your website. I’m also very glad to see more and more appreciation for handmade jewelry.

Meltem Semizoglu

 

Name: Meltem Semizoglu

Website Link: www.meltemsem.etsy.com

Where are you located?  Istanbul, Turkey

Tell us a bit about yourself: After 18 years of being a lawyer I have started beading as a hobby 5 years ago and I have been trained as a traditional jeweler for the last 3 years. Right now I continue my works with silver, gold and semi precious stones. I live in Istanbul with my husband, son and my cat.

When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? I have been interested in crafting since my childhood because my mom used to be an artist also. I have started beading as a hobby 5 years ago. I have found the escape from the stress of being a lawyer with the colorful beads. After studying with beads for about 2 years, I have realized that it wasn’t enough for me to work with ready made materials. So I started to design my own works and learned to do metal work.

What do you make? Necklace, bracelet, ring, earrings, brooch are what I have been producing right now. I also want make hairclips, barrettes and bangles out of silver and gold.

What materials and methods do you use? Silver and gold plate, wires, semi precious stones, freshwater pearls

Where do your design inspirations come from? I am inspired from nature and environment. I also impress that I read a book, watch a movie.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio?  My studio is where my old office used to be. But inspiration might come anywhere that’s why I have my sketch book with me all the time. I sketch anything that comes up to my mind.

Where can your products be seen?  Etsy,   Artfire,  Blog,   Ecrater

Who are you a fan of?   Women from any age group who is elegant, stylish , has modern and classic style.

Tell us  a little about one of your favorite creations:  My rose collection. It’s because it’s my favorite flower and I was impressed by a quote of the great Anatolian philosopher, mystic poet Mevlana  “You consist of thought. The rest remaining is the flesh and bone. You become rose garden if you think of rose, you become thorn patch if you think of thorn” 

Anything else you wish to add: I keep doing and learning this job I  started 4 years ago with passion. When I was create a jewelry silver or gold, stones and tools accompany me on this exciting journey. I believe that this good spirit and energy is also recorded and stored in the jewelry and in its stone. You may feel this positive energy while having the jewelry on you.  I believe that jewelry is a way to complete the dress and express a woman ideas.  I hope you  enjoy to wear my jewelry.