June 1, 2013

Chicago—“I wanted a way to get incredibly inviting luminosity and breakthrough color interaction, like I had not see before,” says ceramic bead artist Sherie Presta about her new layered glazing technique called the Presta Blend.

She explains that her technique can involve up to a dozen combinations of over, under, semi-transparent and opaque glazes to obtain a unique depth of color and luminous quality. “It is a very time-consuming and technically challenging process. You have to love glazing and the surprise it brings when you open the kiln—which I do!”

Her technique results in beads that seem to change in color when viewed from different sides. “The color combinations are as limitless as your imagination,” she says.

After nearly 30 years as a successful creator director at several major international advertising agencies, Presta—whose jewelry was sold in the 1980s by the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, the Contemporary Art Museum of Houston, and numerous local shops and galleries—had been looking for new channels for her art.

Her new line of sterling silver, crystal and her one-of-a-kind hand-made and painted ceramic beads debuted last year at UniQ, a fine jewelry store owned by top jewelry designer Doug Mitchell in the historic downtown of Three Rivers, Michigan about 130 miles east of Chicago where Presta has a ceramic studio.

“My hand-made and glazed beads are inspired by the spring-fed waters, flowers, plants, trees and animals around my lake house,” says Presta. “My sense of fashion, though, comes from the global influences of Chicago’s Michigan Avenue where I spent three decades in global advertising. I enjoyed the exposure to the designs of the best clothing and accessories designers from all over the world.”

As a result, she says, her work is “ a classic style that crosses cultures with no boundaries.”

“I don’t believe in trendy,” she adds. “I like my jewelry to be classic enough so that a woman can wear my art and still showcase her own style.”

Ultimately, says Presta, her art comes from her naturally enthusiastic and positive personality. “I want my beads to be full of life. I try to instill this spirit in each bead through the shapes and colors, and most dynamic textures.

“When I find a way to express a feeling, the bead shows it and assumes a personality from sweet to bold to whimsical and everything in between!”

For more information contact Sherie Presta at 312-560-7993 or sherie@sheriepresta.com