I have been been an artist in several media since I was a child, starting with the rudiments of sketching, then painting in oil paints, acrylics, enamels and other materials to create fanciful images from imagination. I work under the nickname Therri. My inspiration came from nature, fantasy and science fiction, and history.
In 1990 I discovered beads and jewelry making while exploring a cultural museum, and embarked on a study of beads and beadmaking, jewelry design, color theory and cultural motifs and techniques. I was especially interested in Touareg and Bedouin designs, leaves, odd color palettes (my Dark RainbowTM series began at this point) and working with found objects. I started with a few simple designs and placed them with a gift shop for the holiday season. From then on I was hooked, and started my own business designing and making designer jewelry. I joined the Bead Society of Los Angeles, a private club devoted to the study and preservation of beads and beadmaking craft, and participated in showing and selling my work at their semi-annual Bead Bazaars. I also began creating designs inspired by fantasy films and sold them at conventions devoted to the genre.
After the Northridge Earthquake in 1994 I was stricken with acute appendicitis and had to undergo emergency surgery. During my convalescence I continued to study and make jewelry designs for sale, and began my recovery by taking my jewelry designs to several different art fairs and conventions. It was an extremely enjoyable experience and I made many friends, including several regular customers who visited me year after year.
In 2006 I returned my attention to writing and publishing books, another love of mine, and during this time I rediscovered the joys of making pretty sparkly things to wear. Now there is a resurging interest in style and jewelry; especially hand made and well crafted pieces. 2009 marked a return to the crafting and selling of my designs online, probably the best place to showcase them in light of developments in the internet and the online shopping experience. And as I create more I am inspired by them to design still more. Some of that is the love of color and artistry showing through, and a dedication to creating wearable art that will give the owner years of enjoyment.
My process: When I am inspired to do a piece I will lay out all the materials I have to use next to each other. I pay particular attention to color values (cold or warm), lighting effects within gemstones, how much value there is in the use of metals, and natural patterns. Each necklace I make is based on these factors, and whether I feel it better to string them on Beadalon® cable or not. I prefer to use cable instead of thread because the cable is more stable, and if the clasp breaks the whole piece will not fall apart. When I use links I hand create and bead each one depending on the pattern I intend to use, and wrap them if necessary. I prefer to work in sterling silver and brass wire both for their affordability and durable nature. Brass is how I keep my prices down, and I use gold plate when I can. Sometimes I use copper and bronze, too, where they are appropriate.
For my earrings I balance the components based on their natural tendency to group according to weight. For a year or so there was a fashion trend in asymmetrical designs and I went wild with them, but soon that waned and we went back to symmetrical designs. As I have pierced ears myself I like to make sure that I can wear them before anyone else. Too heavy, and I remove some of the elements. Too gaudy? I tend to work from simple to complex, so I usually ask myself the function of the design before I proceed. Sometimes I don't care, but that is the artist's perogative.
I use many unusual materials to achieve an artistic effect. Wood is one of my favorites because it is more durable and easily painted and embellished, and I use it in my more whimsical party designs for the "kitch" factor alone. The other is polymer clay. I had made my own beads for a while, and I tried for a colorful marble effect which was made by twisting strands of three colors of the clay together, then cutting the rope into even lumps, which I formed and pierced, then baked until they were hard. Then I would choose to paint them with metallics or embellish with crystal. I plan to make more of them in the future, so anyone wanting hand made pendants and beads of unique design should contact me.
I also use recycled or found objects, and when I am out shopping, if I pass by a thrift shop I always go in to find something new among the jewelry items. Very often there is no provenance on their origins so I can only hope that they are from the last century or two.
Because I am first and foremost an artist I don't like endless repetition. That is why most of my pieces are one of a kind or come in limited editions, and one of the reasons why you will not find my designs on QVC or Home Shopping Network. Those channels are geared toward selling hundreds or thousands of the same pieces of mass produced jewelry. I prefer to sell my works to the discriminating shopper who does not want to wear the same things as everyone else. I try to price my designs to be affordable to the average pocketbook. As you explore the site you may discover something you may have been looking for, or a gift for that special someone on your gift list. You will not be disappointed. If you want to discuss a custom design you can contact me at nagrasanti(at)antellus(dot)com or antellus1(at)gmail(dot)com. ♦
Thank you for your interest in my work.
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