C'ville Entremom

Tired of going in the same jewelry shops only to find the same old jewelry they’ve had year after year.  Is there a piece of jewelry you’ve had on your wish list for years, but can never seem to find the exact piece you like??  We’ll C’Ville, we have custom jewelry designer, Tavia Brown of taviametal.

Taviametal creates one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry in sterling silver, gold and titanium.  Tavia enjoys creating unique custom jewelry for her clients, whether it’s an engagement ring, a piece to commemorate a special time or a memorial object.  She describes her style as industrial,  yet sweet.. elegance with an edge. Tavia’s artist statement sums up her beautiful work and matches the style of her art:

“My jewelry is both industrial and delicate, it is edgy and sweet. Inspired by the dichotomy of life, my style of elegance with an edge connects me to this duality that exists within my life. Being a mother and an artist is a constant balancing act of two things that at times seem extreme opposites, yet at other times appear to be born of the same seed. My inspirations come directly from life experiences, namely family and memories, but they are also derived directly from the material which I am working, the tactility of textures and the awe I have for nature.”

Tavia is a born and raised artist.  Her passion for arts and crafts began at age 6.  In college, she found her niche in jewelry and dreamed of one day owning her own studio.  After college, Tavia worked as a bench jeweler for a local designer for 4 1/2 years and started her business on the side in 2001.  She began taviametal full time in 2007 and hasn’t looked back!  Her work has been featured in Elle magazine (look for her “Encircled” necklace and “Pentamic Nubby” ring on the TipsnTrends page in this month’s issue), parenting.com, coolmompicks, on the new Scout Charlottesville blog and  the Charlottesville Wedding Blog.  Taviametal was also a 2009 Niche Award finalist in the silver category for her necklace “Golden Halo Moonlight.”

Tavia says that she loves having the flexibility of being her own boss.  Her children (ages 4 and 15 months) attend preschool/daycare full time, but she feels lucky to have the flexibility to spend a morning or afternoon with them if she chooses.  Tavia states that sometimes it requires more balancing when a surprise day off occurs (ie. sick kids), but as a mom, finding balance is an everyday occurrence.  All in all, Tavia is a happy mom with happy children.  She has an outlet for her creativity and having this outlet makes her whole.  Tavia and her husband are both entrepreneurs.  He owns Frontrunner Sign Studios. Together they teach their children to reach for the stars:  have a dream and follow it.

If you would like to learn more about taviametall visit her website www.taviametal.com.  You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.  Taviametal’s studio is located in the Old Linen Building on East Market Street.

A note from Entremom:  For years my husband and I have been looking for a new wedding band for me.  We knew exactly what we were looking for, but couldn’t find it anywhere.  We scoured many shops along the East Coast as well as jewelry stores in every port of call throughout the Caribbean.  Turns out Tavia created exactly what we’ve been looking for right here in Charlottesville!  How beautiful are these rings?  So, nudge, nudge Christopher… Here it is!

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 6th, 2009 at 4:57 am and is filed under Handmade goods, Local Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.