Aragona Designs

I suppose one could say my career as a jewelry designer/artist began when I was three and I liberated all the stones from my mother's jewelry using my teeth!

This obsession with shiny pebbles continued through my teenage years when I worked in a rock shop and then in a jewelry store. I started dabbling in a form of jewelry creation called wire wrapping which doesn't require soldering or tools except for pliers and cutters. My wire-wrappings became very complex thanks to an art teacher who encouraged my jewelry work and allowed me to study independently from my classmates. I remember at age 17 when on a family vacation in London, an employee at Harrods spotted the piece I was wearing and encouraged me to send slides to the buyer so they could carry my work. At that time, I had no idea how to go about doing that especially in another country! After a depressing year at a liberal arts college with no art program whatsoever, I realized my true calling, and transferred to the State University of New York, Fashion Institute of Technology. What a wonderful change! F.I.T. is an accredited college with a fantastic jewelry program. Enrolled in courses entitled "Piercing and sawing," "Soldering," and "Handmade Platinum Settings," I was in Heaven! After earning an associate degree at FIT, I attended Temple University's Tyler School of Art and Architecture for my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. With diplomas in hand, I was ready for my career in art, or so I thought. Unfortunately, in art school, money and business are four letter words. So, my next step was to "pay my dues" as an apprentice for a successful jewelry designer. I became proficient using my mentor's supplies and learned valuable information about how to be a good businessperson.

For over three decades now, I've turned my passion into a thriving business. I get to meet interesting people and other creators by exhibiting in juried art shows along the east coast. I live in the woods of Maine with my two dogs because I believe to create beautiful things, you must surround yourself with beauty, and Maine is among God's gifts to artists. To me, there is no greater joy than doing what I love for a living. This love shows through my current work, which harmonizes gemstones and/or a variety of other materials in designs created with precious metals. I hand select each stone for its rarity and beauty.