Ragland, Cheryl

Cheryl Ragland

My objective as a jewelry designer is to create wearable art that is unique, comfortable, durable, and reflects basic principles of design. I prefer to work with metals, particularly silver and copper, with frequent use of gemstones and other quality embellishments, such as crystals and pearls. Occasionally, I use beading. I take my cues from current fashion trends and endeavor to create jewelry that will complement and enhance someone’s overall appearance.

I have had a life-long affinity for all things artistic; over the years I have gravitated toward many hand crafts, such as embroidery, crocheting, knitting and quilting. After completing my under-graduate and post-graduate degrees, I took numerous drawing and painting courses at Towson State University in Baltimore. Then, for many years a career in business and raising two children took precedence. In my retirement I began to collect vintage jewelry, which began my love affair with jewelry as a form of artistic expression. At first it was a necessity to learn jewelry repair, and then I began to create wearable jewelry from vintage components. And finally, I learned to create my own components, in order to achieve exactly what I wanted.

Over the past 12 years I have taken many local classes, learning techniques such as beading, wire work, metal work and precious metal clay. Occasionally, I have taught beginning jewelry-making skills at the former Main Street Art Space and for the Art Guild of Greene. Currently, my jewelry can be purchased at Noon Whistle Pottery in Stanardsville and Sara’s Jewel Box in Gordonsville