Jewelry Making @ Studio 37A

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For a short time in one of my past lives, I was a jewelry designer and maker. A friend of mine, Jackie, and I owned a company called Chelsea Market Designs. We made earrings, necklaces and bracelets from pearls, precious metal beads and semi-precious stones and we used vintage rhinestone clasps and findings we unearthed at the many flea markets and antique stores we frequented.

We worked in a studio space (a spare bedroom) at her home in Bernardsville, NJ. It was near Pingry where our children were in school and we'd meet back at her house after car pool drop-off in the morning and make magic all day. We sold our creations at charity event boutiques and in home shows and we did pretty well.

The problem was we kept more than we sold. I can't really say we were profitable. In fact, it became a very expensive hobby and in the end, the partnership cnsciously uncoupled after a couple of years. I still have several pieces which I still love to wear (they are back in the US safely in storage with all my other jewelry.)
 

Studio 37A's Tammy

I had the chance to stroll down memory lane the other day and design and make another necklace for myself at Studio 37A, a design studio and boutique for jewelry and clothing in Craighall Park. Tammy Walker, the owner provided the beads, findings and wire, and the hands-on guidance ... as well as mimosa fixings, coffee, tea, shortbread and linzer cookies.

It was held in Tammy's home where she has a boutique in a spare room off the garden where she sells her creations by appointment only. Deja vu all over again.


 

the workspace

Tammy turned her kitchen into a design studio for our workshop. She had on display a couple of example pieces we could use as a guide or we could pick the beads that attracted us and just be creative.

So we did. All of our designs were very different and very personal. Just like us.

a work in progress

posing with our creations

I went with a long necklace design and used a center red coral branch with large blue and white delft beads. Red white and blue is not a common combination in South Africa. You can't buy it ... but I can make it.







Afterwards we had lunch at the Corner Cafe down the street from the studio where Tammy's husband is the head chef. I had been wanting to eat at this very popular bistro for quite some time and the food was delicious. In fact, the whole day was delicious!

To make an appointment with Tammy to see her jewelry and clothing boutique, you can call 082 447 6808.

To attend a workshop, I'm afraid you have to know Nicki.