Metal Artisan Jewelry That Rocks!
My name is Sharon Dudka and I’ve been making jewellery most of my life. I love nature’s jewels (rock) and metals and am always seeking ways to marry them. In 1987 I took my passion further, attending metal smithing courses at the Southwestern Cultural Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. At the time, I was studying the art of Astrology, so I began to independently study the stones representation via the Astrological signs and their various healing properties. I’ve been a professional astrologer since 1989 and love to utilize this knowledge within many of my pieces.
In 1990 I decided to give up my day job and move to beautiful Vancouver Island to pursue my dream of being a fulltime metalsmith and astrologer. I began doing various markets in Victoria BC, most notably the Bastian Square and Moss Street Markets. I began my healing line of Chakra Balanced Jewelery at this time and opened an office on Fan Tan Alley for my astrology practice. It was a wonderfully busy time with both businesses growing rapidly.
Sungoma Art Centre in Duncan BC had just opened in 1993 where Russell Davies, a goldsmith from England, founded a Jewelery school. To further my skills I attended in 1994 and lived on the campus with numerous other smiths learning and being inspired together. By this time I was no longer doing markets but had an agent to sell my creations.
Then life changed drastically due to a car accident in September 1994 in which I became the victim of a head injury. I had just moved to the area and people around me didn’t realize I was different. It took several years before I gained enough insight to understand what happened to me. Jewelery and astrology went to the sidelines while I struggled to recover. It was several years before I made Jewelery again as I acquired a fear of the torch with my head injury and could no longer solder. In my need to create I started making a few pieces though were confined to simple wire and rock.
I made my first solder joint since the accident on June 19, 2008 and feel I am finally back to being me!! I opened my Etsy shop one month later. The pieces you see listed are made with love of the materials and the process. I am grateful for the time I could not solder as it gave me a greater appreciation of wire and the creativity that can be achieved via this medium. I like to think my years of loving my craft, training and fighting/finding my way back to my creative outlet are in every piece I make.
I work primarily with Argentium Sterling Silver as I adore its properties! It is the most tarnish resistant sterling available and has the most charming brilliant shine! The germanium is the secret ingredient that makes it special and intrudes on the copper side. It is .935 silver. My pieces will be stamped if there is a place to do so safely.
It has been an honour to send my items all over the world to now thousands of happy customers. It was a huge learning curve and today I still am challenged somewhat however, lists and sticky notes are my best friend! I am grateful and give thanks to my peers who walked beside me during this journey and to my fabulous customers! It has been an absolute joy working with and designing for you all these past years!! I am excited about my new designs and hope to offer even more innovative creations soon!!
All my pieces are handmade by me personally. I’m a one artist show! You can’t get much more handmade than that! Losing a favorite earring shouldn't be a heartbreak. As a bench smith since the 80s, I offer single-piece replacements for my designs—just message me to start a custom order.
Super proud to be on this platform for near 2 decades and selected to be featured in Etsy’s Quit Your Day Job series. https://www.etsy.com/ca/seller-handbook/article/256684564566 My customers are simply the best with many walking thru the shop’s journey with me! It has been a honour and a gift! You are all greatly appreciated!
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact. ENJOY!!!
https://www.etsy.com/ca/seller-handbook/article/256684564566
