John S. Brana: Mastering the Art of Handmade Jewelry
John S. Brana - Jewelry Designer
About the Jewelry
John S. Brana's collections of distinctive handcrafted designer jewelry include beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces designed to set the wearer apart from the crowd. Whether classic or contemporary, each piece is unique, meticulously handcrafted, and made from top-quality materials. John creates all of his jewelry in his San Francisco studio and works in sterling silver, fine silver, 14K gold-filled wire, 14K - 24K gold, copper, and silver and gold precious metal clay. His original designs incorporate hand-picked sterling silver and vermeil beads, faceted gemstones, fresh-water pearls, Venetian glass, hand-carved semi-precious and precious gemstones -- all carefully selected by John.
"Nature is my primary source of inspiration. Whether I'm driving down the coast, strolling through a park, or tending my garden, the natural world shows that the creative combinations of colors, textures, patterns, shapes, and symbols are endless."
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About John S. Brana
"My aesthetics and philosophy have been shaped by my family, world travel, and the cultural diversity of Northern California.
As a child, I had the rare opportunity to travel extensively with my parents. We always returned home enriched from our travels -- with an appreciation and respect for the uniqueness of different cultures. I was also fortunate to grow up in a home where art and craft were encouraged. My father, an accomplished artist and teacher, was my first and most important mentor. I observed him closely as he perfected his techniques in metal and resin casting, fabrication, and woodworking. After taking a few art classes, I found that I also loved working with my hands and expanded my interests into ceramics and stained glass. While attending college at the University of Michigan, I helped my father develop a successful fused stained glass sculpture business.
I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1990, where I worked in the legal and banking professions...most recently as vice president of finance for The Charles Schwab Corporation. After my father's death in 2003, I re-evaluated my priorities and resolved to rekindle my childhood passion for artisan crafts. The philosophy that has guided my life and work ever since is: Do what you love and explore what you are passionate about."
John S. Brana, Designer
To find out more about John S. Brana's jewelry, visit John's BLOGÂ
John is an active member and proud participant in these fine organizations:
