People will often ask me how I got started in the jewelry business.  It's an amazing journey, but time passes by way too fast.  Ten years later, a hobby that I found so fascinating, has become such a part of me that it consumes me in every which way.  I really can't imagine my life without designing jewelry. As I look back, I realize that I've taken many turns in my jewelry career to reach the point I'm at today.  The turns have led me to meet so many amazing artists and talented people.  Some who have become very close friends of mine....So let's get started with this story.   I started designing jewelry about ten years ago.  I went to visit a friend in San Diego. A friend of hers  invited us to a jewelry party and I was intrigued by what I saw. When I went home my creative side took over.  I became obsessed with jewelry making! As with many jewelry designers, I dabbled and experimented with beads.  After several years, I became bored with beads and felt the desire to learn and do more-  In 2004, I traveled and taught abroad in Barcelona, Spain. It was hard to escape the beautiful, mosaic art form of Antoni Gaudi, which consumes the city from all angles. Well, you guessed it... I became mesmorized by colored glass. I then learned the art form of glass fusing, which I incorporated into my jewelry collection.  I wasn't kidding when I said that my jewelry career has taken on many twists and turns.  Upon returning from my trip, glass jewelry continued to be my focus.  In 2005, while stumbling through Port Jefferson, I came across the perfect store front location.  I signed the lease two days later and Casa Artistica was open for business the following week! The name of my store which means, Creative house in Spanish seemed like the perfect name.  My quick impulsive decision to open up a jewelry boutique was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  It helped me to grow as an artist and introduce my jewelry to others. In Port Jefferson, an amazing artist by the name of Genia taught me to work with clay and I was instantly hooked!  Opening the kiln and seeing the beautiful, colored glaze is still a surprise to me! Combining clay, gemstones, and metal took on a whole new meaning for me. As many of you know, I am a full time elementary teacher, so the store became very difficult to maintain.  It was wonderful, but it took my life away.  I had to make a change in my life and closing the store seemed like the most logical thing to do.  It broke my heart to close the doors, but I knew I wouldn't be closing the door on my efforts to design jewelry.  Since Casa Artistica, I have begun taking intensive metal smithing classes, along with jewelry wax carving .  These classes have opened up a whole new door for me.  My latest metal collection is completely inspired from my clay collection and from wax.  It is an amazing process. So, that's the Clay Couture story.... But there's always more to every story and I know that my jewelry venture is headed in a new direction.  Stay tuned for more...... 

Eva