Jodie Aragona
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.
Thank you for your interest in my work.
A.A.S. Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York Summa Cum Laude - Jewelry Design
Art and Design Award - Jewelry Department B.F.A. Tyler School of Art, Temple University - Jewelry and Metal smithing
Professional Organization:
Guild level member of the Maine Crafts Association.
Jodie Aragona hand selects extraordinary and unusual gemstones for each of her designs. Her specialty is One-of-a-kind pieces with exceptional individuality. Each stone enhances the work with its uniqueness and beauty. A rare gem collection is vital to the creation of one of a kind artistic Jewelry of superior quality. All Jewelry is fabricated by Jodie Aragona in her studio in Maine. Most designs are a marriage of 22k gold and 14k gold. Some pieces are silver and may include 14k yellow gold, 14k rose gold, 22k yellow gold, sterling, argentium silver and fine silver. However, nothing is off-limits and recent works also include bronze, white bronze, and brass. All craftwomanship is guaranteed.
Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express are welcome. Lay away (sorry, does not apply to sale items) is also available. You may also make payments through Paypal. Paypal enables ANY individual or business with an email address and a bank account or credit card to securely, easily and quickly send and receive payments online without having a paypal credit card. Prices listed reflect items pictured, custom design prices vary according to stone selection and current market prices. The sold gallery is a perfect way to get inspiration for designs that you'd like Jodie to custom make for you!