By Jodi Mailander Farrell

Inspired by the brilliant colors and natural shapes and surroundings of their home state, these jewelry designers practice their high artisanship in Florida, creating the ultimate keepsake: A work of art that can be worn time and time again.

Grain of Sand

Disbrow’s “Grain of Sand” beads ~ Havana Beads

- Havana Beads

“Spring Fling” stack rings by Wendy Thurlow

“Spring Fling” stack rings by Wendy Thurlow

- Hammered by Wendy

WENDY MIGNOT
Her designs reflect her sailing adventures.

Home: Seaside, Fla.
Style: Bohemian Chic. A modern twist on the traditional strand of pearls, her fine pearl and leather jewelry has grown into an international brand, with pieces worn by Steven Tyler, Pierce Brosnan, Orlando Bloom, Florida Georgia Line and The Bangles. She also works with sea glass, coins and other interesting objects.
Find at: Her flagship store, La Vie Est Belle, 25 Center Ave., Seaside; 850-231-4692.
Website: http://www.wendymignot.com


RAIDA DISBROW
A lampwork glass artist, the owner of Havana Beads creates with the blues, browns, turquoise, greens and other natural hues seen outside her waterfront studio, which is open to the public.

Home: Stuart, Fla.
Style: Earthy.  Crusty, glass, ceramic and etched beads, all handmade in her Florida studio, are woven with wire and metals.
Find at: The Fish House Art Center, 4745 DeSoto Ave., Studio B2, Port Salerno.
Website: www.etsy.com/shop/havanabeads

WENDY THURLOW

The trained, award-winning art jeweler studied her craft at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she earned her bachelor of fine arts in metal.

Home: Bradenton, Fla.
Style: Heavy metal. Her contemporary, textured work incorporates centuries-old techniques with mixed metals, surface embellishments, and semi-precious and precious stones or fossils to produce stackable rings, bracelets and necklaces that are organic and sculptural.
Find at: Online at www.hammeredbywendy.com or order by phone at 941-504-1301; follow her on Facebook for show announcements, https://www.facebook.com/hammeredbywendy/. Thurlow occasionally teaches jewelry-making workshops on the west coast of Florida at the ArtCenter Manatee in Bradenton and the Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg.
Website: www.hammeredbywendy.com

 

PLACES TO REMEMBER