Sometimes you meet some one by chance and years later, you realize how stupefying that person really is, Daria Salus is such a person.  If there is a more focused, more prolific jewelry artist, I am not aware of her/m. 

Daria, unlike so many people, makes the pieces–and then, wait for it–SELLS THEM!  Not only that, she’s got a network of galleries that spans from the East Bay to Carmel Valley, and she is a fixture on the Art Festival scene.  I generally get at least one notice from her, every month, telling me where and when I can catch her at whatever the coolest Art Festival is, that month.

Oh, her work is fabulous.  I forgot to mention that.  I appreciate the fact that she has a fully functional website, allowing customers to shop her current pieces, purchase one if they so choose, and keep abreast of her upcoming shows and events.  When I grow up, I want to be more like Daria!

If you live in the Monterey Bay area and make jewelry or “metal art”, you’ve probably heard of Carol Holaday.  If you aren’t already familiar with her, or her work, let me introduce you to this local treasure.

Carol is an artist, historically working in enamels, but has caught the glasswork bead bug.  Her pieces–glass and metal– are always exquisite, with meticulous attention to detail.  Her website is, of course, beautiful and inspiring.  It is one of those sites that falls into the “the more you read, the more you learn” category.  Her breadth is pretty amazing: photography, metal fabrication, enamels and now bead making.

You can gain from her experience for the pittance that is Community College tuition.  You’ll find her most Fridays teaching enamels at Monterey Peninsula College (MPC, to locals).  Fall, Spring and Summer, if it’s Friday, it’s enamels!