Making jewelry
All her life, Traci Seville Sharp has found jewelry making relaxing. It was
something she shared with family and friends. But now she wants to let everyone
enjoy her talent.
By REBECCA MCIVER, found at napavalleyregister.com
Friday, December 22, 2006
This has led to Tracilane Jewelry -- a parttime business that allows her to
showcase her talents at local clothing store 26 in Napa and St. Helena. She also
does "trunk shows" periodically in her home.
Sharp comes home from her day job as a graphic designer at Clos du Val -- and
relaxes. But, unlike most people, her idea of relaxing focuses on sewing,
knitting and jewelry making.
Tracilane
Jewelry lets Napan's talents shine
Sharp said her design inspiration comes from
many years of crafting and keeping up with the fashion world.
The jewelry maker's moniker combines her first
and middle name. Ironically, she did not like her middle name when growing up.
But when she was thinking of a name for her product line Tracilane popped into
her head.
A few years ago, Sharp went to a local bead shop and learned to use wire and
beads to create jewelry. And from there, she began traveling to gem shows
throughout California.
Sharp said she enjoys buying her stones at gem shows and through contacts she
has developed.
Her favorite gem is carnelian, a hard reddish stone, followed by turquoise, a
greenish-blue gemstone.
Sharp has dozens of designs focusing on necklaces and earrings.
Her line is creative, elegant and versatile. The jewelry is light and airy with
dazzling stones and intricate wirework.
The necklaces drape elegantly around the neck from choker to opera length, while
the earrings dangle in lengths up to 3 inches.
Necklaces cost $50-$145 and earrings are $35-$75.
Erin Renaudin, attending a recent trunk show, said she liked the pieces because
they are feminine.
"They stack well and look great alone. The stones have a personality. They
seem to change with my mood," Renaudin said.
Renaudin wears her jewelry with jeans and a T-shirt and with her little black
dress.
To keep all of her designs in order, Sharp said, she uses her family and
friends' names to label the jewelry. The necklaces given a girl's name and the
earrings a boy's name.
She said it is a great way to remember family and friends. One necklace is named
Sheri, an opera length chain with colorful stones on it that Sharp describes as
"sassy, like my sister."
The Brooke necklace, mid-chest length with a mixture of stones, is named for the
style of a former boss and good friend.
Roger boasts a single stone providing a classic earring style -- is named in
honor of her dad.
"Jewelry makes you feel feminine and beautiful in a nice way," Sharp
said.
As a designer, Sharp believes it is important for people to enjoy her jewelry.
Sharp also works with clients to create custom designs.
She has had clients bring in old family pieces that she carefully recreates into
a more modern necklace or earring set -- blending history with the spirit of
today.
Sharp can provide brides and the bridal parties with pieces to celebrate the
special day. She enjoys making necklaces for little girls who want to dress up
for a tea party or a special family event.
Sharp has several other projects in the hopper and hopes to eventually add
on-line sales to her Web site.
Some day a tiny shop would be fun Sharp said. In the meantime, she will continue
to create Tracilane Jewelry as a way to relax from a long day at the winery.
The Tracilane Jewelry line of necklaces and earrings are for sale at 26 on Main
Street in Napa and St. Helena, or www.tracilane.com and by attending one of her
trunk shows. Sharp hosts shows as a way to share her creations with friends and
new clients.
Potential clients may also call for an appointment.
For a listing of upcoming trunk shows, go to www.tracilane.com.
Diamonds
continue to sparkle despite all the global gloom | diamond
traders | houston diamond exchange
| World Diamond Council | Diamonds
news on Facebook ( thanks for the Like ) | Antwerp
diamonds history
