First Name: Marie

Store Name: Cerca Trova Jewels

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a native New Englander and grew up and went to school in Boston, Ma. After college I lived in Germany for a couple of years where I taught English as a second language in a middle school there. I also met my husband there and we returned together to Massachusetts. A few years ago we sold our main business so I had the time then to pursue a new career. I have always tried to create something, In college I studied drawing and water colors, I have dabbled in photography and ceramics as well. But I really found an outlet for my creative talent when I discovered Murano Glass Beads. I love glass, anything handmade! When I discovered these little works of art, I began creating jewelry pieces with them, and that was that! I have of course branched out from there and have a very eclectic style, but I still work with handmade Murano beads as well as American handmade lampwork beads.

My first piece of jewelry:

I have always worn jewelry, as far back as I can remember! The first piece of jewelry that I made was a necklace and bracelet set out of ceramic beads, which I still have and have vowed to redo someday!

What Inspires you?

Everything around me inspires me, nature inspires me, people inspire me but I guess most of all the beautiful handmade lampwork and gem stones that I work with each offer their own individual inspiration.

Describe your style:

I would say I try to create jewelry which is contemporary and sophisticated with a little edge! I love to take conventional beads and pearls and silver and combine them in a way that makes them a little different from what you might see elsewhere! Each of my pieces is unique and one of a kind, so each piece is custom made for each buyer so to speak. I have just begun a new series with large handblown Murano Glass Focal Beads and pearls, who knows where that will lead. I would say primarily that my style is always evolving!

Who is your harshest critic?

Definitely myself! My family and friends are quite supportive. I do have a special long time friend, who is also a jewelry designer and actually was the person who encouraged me to try my hand at it! I know that she will always give me an honest assessment of my pieces and I value her comments.

How did you come up with your company name?

When I first decided that I wanted to make jewelry out of Murano Beads I of course had to find the perfect ones! So I began my search and bought some beads, and then eventually through my searches I found the wonderful cottage industry of handmade lampwork beads. One evening while I was searching the internet a documentary about a painting which was found in a Palazzo in Florence was on the television. This painting has the words Cerca Trova written on it and is suppose to be a clue to a painting by Leonardo DaVinci which is hidden in the Palazzo. Cerca Trova means seek and you shall find, and since I had been spending such an enormous amount of my time doing just that, I felt that the name would be just perfect for my new business. Thus Cerca Trova Jewels!