WEEK 7: Woodland Chic Design Explorations –
Featured Artist: Ana Maria AndricainTitle: Handcrafted Jewelry Artist
Material of choice: Metal Clay
Website address: www.JewelofHavana.com
What social media are you on? www.facebook.com/JewelofHavana
www.twitter.com/JewelofHavana
Favorite quote: “I’ve been all over the world and I’ve never seen a statue of a critic” -Leonard Bernstein
Hot technique or tip: Pickle does not need to be heated to work (I know it’s a rebel statement but try it…. It works just the same)
Favorite tool: My Grandfather’s Dental Tools (He was the President of the Cuban Dental Association and now I use his tools every day)
Fun Fact about You: I worked as an Actress on Broadway for 20 years (creating jewelry was my backstage hobby)
WEEK 7: Woodland Chic Design Explorations - Materials – Metal Clay, Cz
Ana Maria Andricain discovered her passion for creating jewelry while appearing in the Broadway Company of Beauty and the Beast. “I had several breaks during the show and loved to run back to my dressing room and come up with new design ideas. Most of my pieces were made right in the dressing room.” She was commissioned to create jewelry for several Broadway opening nights and the Tony Awards and her “accidental” business grew from there.
Ana had no formal training in jewelry design or construction when she started. Her knowledge of the art was gathered from extensive reading and experimentation and hours spent in the gemstone warehouses and beading shops in the Fashion District of New York City.
Since her husband’s career transfer back to her hometown of Baton Rouge, she sought formal training to pursue a new career as a jewelry artist. She studied traditional silversmithing but it was metal clay that stole her heart. “The possibilities are endless and I am hooked!”
Ana is PMC Certified and combines these skills with traditional metalsmithing, wirework and beading techniques. She is a juried member of the Louisiana Craft Guild and L’Esprit du Metal, the Louisiana Chapter of the PMC Guild. She was awarded the 2010 Merit Award and Purchase Award and the 2012 Award of Distinction at FestForAll Fine Art Festival as well as Best In Show for Art Melt 2011.
Ana holds a BFA from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and is a veteran of numerous Broadway shows including Les Miserables, Beauty & the Beast, South Pacific, Marie Christine, By Jeeves and Evita to name a few. She is now a full time jewelry artist living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with husband, Philip J. Mann and their 4 ½ pound fluffy daughter, Sidney, the teacup Maltese!
