Today we’d like to introduce you to Greta Perea.
Hi Greta, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always loved art. I even took some drawing classes in my community college a long time ago. In 2006 my husband and I moved to Plano, Texas from Salt Lake City, Utah. About a year after we were living here, I had the opportunity to go back to college. I started classes in 2007 at the University of North Texas with a Major in Illustration. One of my electives was a metalsmith and jewelry class. After my first class, I immediately changed my major and the rest is history. I graduated with a BA degree in metalsmithing and jewelry in 2010. I kept making things and had a few commissioned pieces, in 2014 I came across The Last Art Gallery in McKinney. My jewelry collection was juried in, and I have been selling there ever since.
Not only being able to sale there, I am also a part of a wonderful art community. I get to work and be inspired by the many other artists that work and live there. What a Blessing!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Most of my art/jewelry designing road has been pretty smooth. I have a lot of support from my family and friends. Especially my husband, Anthony. The hardest obstacle for me is going through lack of new ideas for jewelry or having really great ideas, but not selling them as fast as I would like. I love the ability to create beautiful jewelry and opportunities to learn new techniques, so I just keep going down my road and keep on creating.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a self-employed jewelry artist. My pieces are unique pieces art that are wearable. I am very inspired by nature. I have my flora and fauna collection. This collection is jewelry that has leaves and flower designs to animal designs anywhere from cats, birds and butterflies to farm animals and even an occasional sloth.
I also enjoy creating designs with the Russian Filigree technique. This beautiful type of metalwork consists of tiny individual twisted wires placed and soldered into a frame of the same metal, usually silver or gold.
I am most proud of pieces that were very challenging in making. When finished and polished I look at them and can’t believe that I made that with my own hands. Also, when one of those pieces sell to a client that love it as much as I do. That makes me super happy.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I love coming up with my own ideas and designs, but I also do commission work. If a client has a request on a piece, they would like me to construct I’d love the challenge, please don’t hesitate to contact me. If y’all are out and about in the historic downtown McKinney stop by The Last Art Gallery to see not only my art but all the other local artist collections.
Pricing:
- Animals range from $45 to $120
Contact Info:
- Website: metalbygreta.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretaperea/
- Facebook: Jewelry Design by Greta
Image Credits
Greta Perea
