I am Mariya Anton, owner and designer of Silver Art Designs. I live in beautiful, sunny Southern California.

My career as a designer started back in 1999 when a dear friend introduce me to the world of gemstones and taught me how to make jewelry. Together we attended crafts shows throughout the County for about 10 years.

It was during one of those shows, that I came across “lampwork” beads.  I have always been fascinated with Murano Glass and when I learned that lampwork beads were made with Italian glass, I knew I had to learn this craft.

 

I searched the internet and found out that Heather Trimlett, (well renowned lampwork artist), lived here in San Diego and I signed up for one of her weekend workshops this was back in 2004. After that weekend, I was hooked. Unfortunately, my new found passion had to take a back seat while I finish graduate school.

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In 2011, I made the decision that I could no longer ignore the “calling” for jewelry making. The same year, I started taking classes in PMC= Precious Metal Clay and Groovey Desings was born.  I am certified in metal clay (Level 3).

 

After much convincing, my husband agreed to give up his “man cave.”  It has taken a while to get everything ready and there are still some things that need “tweaking” but little by little, my studio was born.