The breathtaking shards of glass Angie Olami uses in her jewelry date from 100 BCE to 300 CE. They were unearthed in Israel by archaeologists sifting through the fallen pillars and once magnificent cities of the Roman Empire.

And how do the colors form? The layers of iridescent colors have evolved gradually over the centuries as part of the glass’s chemical reaction to the sun, the water and the mineral rich earth in which it was buried. There has been glass found in England and Northern Europe dating back at least 1700 yrs, but it lacks the opalescence associated with Roman Glass because the natural phenomenon could not occur in their cold, damp climates. Angie Olami’s suppliers of Roman Glass are all licensed by the Israeli Government Antiquities Authority. Whole vessels are carted off to the museums and archaeologists keep whatever they need for research, the fragments are used in the jewelry design - useless rubble to some but magnificent gems to us!

Angie Olami jewelry is made from the hand blown fragments of ancient perfume pots, juglets, lamps, flasks, vases, cups and bowls. Each fragment varies in thickness, age and composition. Each piece underwent its own unique transformation as it became weathered with layers of patina. If a shard doesn’t sit exactly straight in its bezel, remember it is someone’s ancient wineglass you are wanting to wear as a pendant or as earrings.

Darlene Armstrong is a self taught metalsmith with most of her informal training coming out of Adult Education Beginning and Intermediate Jewelry classes she attended in 1988  and 1989, as well as a semester of casting and other metal-smithing skills at Front Range Community College, Denver, Colorado in 1998.

She has spent 20 years diligently working, experimenting and honing her many skills in her own jewelry studio. She continues taking jewelry related classes and workshops in order to enhance her design options to supply to her galleries with fresh and appealing jewelry designs.

“I believe “true artists” are those who are compelled to create works of art, whether or not they choose to sell the work.  Artists create works of beauty for the “Soul” purpose of pursuing their heart’s desire and I believe, are actually conduits for God’s Spirit to bring into existence, through the artist’s hands, wonderful gifts to enhance the world.  When an artist is in love with the medium he/she works in, that love translates into a tangible energy that gets infused into the work and that energy can be felt by the person handling or viewing the piece.  I believe when any object of art (whatever medium) is suffused with the happiness and love of the artist, the piece FEELS exciting and desirable.  The response is visual and emotional. The skill, intention, devotion and love of the creative process is what I believe ultimately sells the work of an artist. “

Sharon Schaffner has been designing jewelry for 30 years and has  been recognized in local, national and international shows and galleries.  Her current work is titled “Faces” and reveals her fascination with different cultures and unique stones.

She has traveled extensively, has worked with other cultures and is a teacher in metal and jewelry design.

Beautiful in its simplicity and showing character through its richness and warmth, this type of jewelry can be worn  to any type of outing and makes a wonderful gift, even if it is for yourself!

Sharon’s current work reveals her fascination with different cultures.  Originally inspired by the Northwest Coast Indian primitive sculptures, the designs exhibit influences from numerous cultures and many travels.

Sharon Schaffner works directly in the metal, allowing the material an expression of its own and achieving  greater spontaneity of form.  Contrast of textures and shapes, and the use of unique stones both precious and non-precious enhance the total design.