Apr 20, 2011

Jewelry Artist Brings Independent Touch To Her PiecesBy Jodi KerrWilliametteLive.com

Linnea Saris is a jewelry artist. She believes in Gaudy. When she was young she would sneak through her grandmother’s jewelry to ooh and ahh over each and every piece. She was drawn in by the large stones, bold pieces and uniqueness of each one. When her grandmother brought her back a necklace from Arizona and it broke, it took a repair lesson from her dad to make her realize she could do it herself.

“Once I learned how to repair jewelry, I figured out I could make new things out of broken things,” said Saris. “That was a special moment for me.”

The creating started after an elective at Sprague High School. “I took an elective in jewelry making in high school. It was fun and it opened my world to many things,” said Saris. “I started making jewelry on my own; I have been collecting beads and old pieces of jewelry since the time I was seventeen years old.”

Saris’s pieces follow current trends, with a throwback from the past. She sells her pieces locally, and on her Etsy shop www.glimma.etsy.com. Locally her pieces can be viewed at Studio 554, La Rouge Consignment Boutique and Indulge Salon and Day Spa.

“Costume jewelry is making a comeback. New styles, longer chains, real cuff bracelets, huge beads; it’s all very popular,” said Saris.

“Salem is open to homegrown artists,” said Saris. The willingness to support local artists gives potential buyers a chance to “try” on styles, touch the material and experience the quality. You can’t do that on a computer.

Etsy customers seem to like her stamped personalized jewelry; they can interpret that style online and they are comfortable with their decisions. “A lot of my other pieces, you want to see them in person to make sure you are going to like it.” The bigger pieces sell fast in stores, but not so much online.

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