Dana Cassara - Meditation Chrysanthemum


This piece was part of the Yukata Jewelry Show 2022 exhibition. Learn more and view the entire collection HERE.


Artist: Dana Cassara
Materials: sterling silver
Dimensions: 3 1/2 x 3 1/2"

Artist Statement:  It is extremely rare for me to sit quietly. I picked up this high contrast chrysanthemum fabric and immediately recognized it as a pattern perfect for sawing. I did not realize at the time that it would prove to be a therapeutic project offering me valuable moments of peaceful contemplation. 

To stay as true to the graceful lines of the Yukata, I carefully traced and slightly altered a single flower from the fabric and then sized it to make a wearable brooch or pendant. Before cutting into the silver I roller-printed a fabric texture into the metal to soften the surface. Then I proceed to drill a gazillion strategically places holes from which I could cut each petal. Every step along the way was a commitment. If something went wrong, I would simply have to start over. With such a large piece of silver and hours invested I would be fool not to take my time. So I did. Drilling, piercing with a saw, meticulous filing, these are tedious tasks requiring a great deal of focus. It wasn’t until I came to the finishing, often the greatest challenge of any project, that I understood what I had done. By choosing to approach the project in this way, I had taken myself on a much-needed silent retreat. 

Artist Bio: There is so much possibility in the craft of jewelry making. As jewelers we are not limited to a single material or even functionality, simply we make objects for the body. The limitlessness of jewelry has kept me entertained since 1992 when I fell in love with metal. Nowadays I enjoy exploring a variety of materials, still metal is very much at the core. I was raised in the Pacific Northwest and am endlessly inspired by the vibrant beauty around me. Sometimes playful, sometimes sentimental, I ultimately aim for my work to be comfortable, elegant and evocative of the more subtle pleasures of life. My work is designed for the wearer and constructed to be worn and loved over time. I have called Seattle my home since 1990, am actively involved in the Seattle Metals Guild, and I am the founder and sole proprietor of Danaca Design Studio.