World Artisan Gems

Name: Sally Jewett-Brocato 

Website Link: www.naked-jewelry.com  (This is a re-direct to my etsy shop)

Where are you located? Los Angeles, CA

Tell us a bit about yourself:  Until January, 2008, I was the co-founder/owner of a video production company in Los Angeles. During those years, I worked with many of the world’s biggest celebrities, recording artists and fashion/consumer brands. It was exciting and fulfilling, but after more than a quarter century, it was time to MOVE ON! My business partner and I were able to sell our business to investors which gave us the opportunity to focus on our passions. For the past few years, I have been making jewelry–first as a hobby and then more seriously as I started focusing on jewelry design for my next career. My latest work can be seen on Etsy under the seller name: NakedJewelry. I have always strived to be at the top and I know I have the best chance of getting there by learning from the best, so I also write a blog to showcase the most accomplished jewelry designers and tell others about interesting vendors and teachers I encounter as I build my business.  Through “meeting” so many talented and successful jewelry designers, I have learned much more than any class!

When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? I took my first beading class in September, 2007 at Santa Monica Community College and I was hooked! I started with wire-wrapping and beading but rapidly decided that I wanted to learn the craft of metalsmithing.  For nearly a year now, I have taken classes at Venice Adult School and Loyola Marymount University as well as private lessons from a few very skilled jewelry artists.

What do you make? I specialize in fabricated sterling silver jewelry using natural gemstones.

What materials and methods do you use? I am working exclusively with silver right now and particularly enjoy creating pieces that have texture from my rolling mill processes as well as broom casting.

Where do your design inspirations come from? Since I have not yet found my signature style, my design inspirations typically come from other jewelry artists.  I love to look at what other people are creating and often see ways that I can take an idea and then make something that is unique. One of my favorite designers is Beth Rosengard who specializes in pieces created from gold broom casting.  I am in awe of her work and enjoy seeing how I can use the broom casting concept to make my own creations.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? My husband helped me build a little studio in an eight foot shed we have in our back yard.  It sits high on a hill above some steep steps so I am quite literally “in the trees”.  I don’t have music or the radio as I love to listen to the birds as I work.

Where can your products be seen?  My work can be seen at my etsy site:  www.naked-jewelry.com

Upcoming events: I have two events planned for the holidays including a West Hollywood wine tasting and jewelry trunk show and a school fundraiser holiday gift event.

Magazine articles or press:  My work has been featured in a variety of blog publications including Wickedly Chic, Shopalicious, Cuteable, In Yr Fshn, With This Ring…and IC Style.  I also recently won the etsy Jewelry Artisans Guild (eJag) Autumn Splendor contest for one of my earring designs.

Who are you a fan of?   My favorite jewelry design artist is Beth Rosengard.  I also admire the work of  Linda Lewis, Karen Klinefelter, Todd Reed and Sue Ann Dorman.

Price range: $25-$250

Tell us  a little about one of your favorite creations: My favorite piece so far is a broom cast pendant I created using black onyx, Montana agate and garnets. This one-of-a-kind pendant is created from the ancient technique called “broom casting” where sterling silver is melted and poured into an upright broom, creating silver “stalactite-looking” pieces in the shape of the negative space between the broom straws, creating silver pieces that are as unique as snowflakes.