Sea glass, pottery and stone become a part of this featured crafter’s line of jewelry inspired by Greece. All of the colorful stones and items were found on the beaches in Greece, each telling a unique story. Gina says the Aegean mermaids gifted her all the treasures found to create her pieces. Let’s hope those mermaids never stop because the jewelry is breathtaking!
Gina Argyrou
Random Facts About You?American born but live on the little Greek island of Rhodes
A self taught mosaic artist
Former cruise ship singer
Volunteer for many local charities
What got you started crafting?
After living for 25 years in Rhodes, Greece and having to return to the USA to care for my elderly father, I took all the inspiration of the island with me and started creating mosaic art as a hobby. This hobby became a full time occupation and upon my visits back to Greece I started collecting sea glass to use in my mosaic art. Which in turn led me to start making jewelry from all my sea glass, beach pottery, and lovely beach stones that I have collected over the years. I have recently just moved back to Greece and love the natural colors that surround me and the abundance of beach treasures that the Aegean mermaids have so willingly gifted to me for my creations. Each piece tells a story to me of it's origin and the uniqueness of the shapes and colors and how it ended up on my little Aegean paradise I call home. I do not sketch or design a piece first, I begin by taking a beautiful shard of sea glass and take my inspiration from that piece to design.
What is your source of inspiration?
The colors of the Greek islands, the beautiful architecture and natural beach treasures that I find.
What have you made recently?
Recently I just started making beach stone jewlery. The Greek beaches have the most amazing stones and it seems like every different beach I go to have a color and pattern all their own. They are so smooth, naturally rounded, oval and some are flat and some are like marbles! I love them and think they are a great jewelry accessory for men and women.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
While living in the USA I attended many art shows, craft shows and charity events to promote and sell both my sea glass jewlery and my mosaic art. I also sell on Etsy and have many sales come through from my facebook fan page. Recently I have been contacted by 2 local handmade jewelry-art shops that will carry my jewelry in 2013.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
To me a piece of sea glass, beach pottery or beach stone has it's own uniqueness to it and with most of my pieces I just embellish them with some wire wrapping in sterling or other metals and let the natural beauty of the glass/stone/ceramic show through. Sometimes I like to add other beads, crystals, rhinestones and charms just for added sparkle. But all in all the beauty of the surf tumbled sea glass is the star of the show.
Find Me
LocationRhodes, Greece
Email Address
Gina Argyrou
Personal Website
http://agapiseaglass.net
Store Website
http://agapiseaglass.etsy.com
@gina argyrou
http://facebook.com/mosaicsbygina.fans
