My name is Sara Martin, and Modern Mystic was born from an intense fascination with jewelry as a form of ornamentation, as religious and spiritual objects, and for the pure enjoyment of the inherent beauty of gems and metals.
Designing and making jewelry was an inevitable career choice and artistic outlet for me, for I have been an artist of one kind or another since I was a wee girl, painting on everything from turtle shells to river rocks to switchplate covers. After high school I recieved an Associate Degree in Commercial Graphics which helped to develop my illustration technique. Four years later I got yet another A.A.S., this time in Equine Technology. I was thinking of starting a career with horses, another lifelong passion. However, the artist and jewelry junkie in me reared her stubborn head and now I am creating jewelry.
Inspiration comes from many varied sources: organic forms found in Nature, contemporary fashion, Gothic and Romantic themes, primitive styles, doodles on a paper, the list goes on. I never know from where the next idea will come, as long as it comes to me! The creation of each piece runs on pure intuition and experimentation. The materials in my pieces are semi-precious and precious stones in the most natural state I can acquire them, silver, copper, gold and occasionally PMC, or Precious Metal Clay.
In Autumn 2005 I had the good fortune to stumble upon a silversmithing school and studio in Asheville. I have taken as many classes there as possible to expand my repertoire of skills. Metal guru Bill Churlik is the teacher there.
I currently fill my life with three passions- designing and making jewels, petsitting (see www.furrygodmotherpetsitting.biz), and homeschooling my daughter. Life sure is interesting!
