Sharon Saindon

PO Box 1744
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 344-4096
sharonsaindon@yahoo.com

My work is what I call abstract organic, focusing on the beauty of simple lines, shapes, and textures, and how they compliment and celebrate the person who wears them. In my mind I take organic forms, meld them together and/or simplify them in order to create symbiotic forms that are my interpretation of the basic design elements of the plant world translated into metal. I have a deep admiration for the metalworking of indigenous cultures around the world, and the role that jewelry has played historically, socially, and psychologically. Tribes of the Middle East, northern Africa, and the Americas tend to draw me in most frequently. Indigenous peoples' ability to work with minimal tools and materials is an attribute I strive to possess. Having inspirations stemming from both ancient civilizations and the immediate world around me, my work has been said to have an antique quality and a modern sensibility.

I love having my hands directly involved in the process of forming the metal and value the challenge of being simple. Working strictly in fabrication techniques, I use metal in wire, sheet, or tube forms and saw, snip, forge, stretch, bend, melt, solder, file, sand, polish, and patina. I believe that a piece of jewelry should look better the longer it is worn and loved, and design my pieces to do so. They are mostly composed of forged elements, and therefore will not lose their shape or dent readily. All sterling pieces have either a patina or fine silver finish on the surface so that tarnishing will be minimal.

Jewelry holds a power for people. It speaks to you, reminds you of something or someone special, celebrates an occasion, a change, a state of mind, brings you joy, stability, confidence, strength, celebrates the beautiful person you are. Jewelry has a power to transform. If my jewelry speaks to you, I hope that it brings you joy for many years.

Works available at the following galleries:

Essenza

615 N. 35th St., Seattle, WA 98103 (Fremont)
(206) 547-4895

Bainbridge Arts & Crafts

151 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 842-3132 www.bainbridgeartsandcrafts.org

Bayview Arts

5603 S. Bayview Rd. Langley, WA 98260 (Whidbey Is.)
(360) 321-8414 www.goosefoot.org

Artisans on Taylor

236 Taylor Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 379-8098

Gallery in the Woods; two locations in Vermont:
Butterfield Road (off Route 9), Marlboro, VT
(802) 464-5793
143 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 257-4777 www.galleryinthewoods.com

Education:

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Metal Design, University of Washington, Seattle, 1998

Other:

Traveled and studied in Italy, Switzerland, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Syria, Turkey.