Jewel
In lie

"I have a passion for stones, and I've taken
a variety of gemology classes. Besides learning
about the science, I learned how to cut and use
stones in a lot of my pieces. I think it's great be-
ing able to wear artwork."
After her first jewelry course at Groves High
School, Kerman was invited to join the Talent-
ed and Gifted Pacer program, which helped her
learn how to manipulate metal.
She experimented by incorporating both
traditional and nontraditional materials into
each item and entered her first art fair at Tem-
ple Beth El during her junior year in high
school.
Kerman went on to enter local, state and na-
tional art contests and found considerable suc-
cess, including a national Scholastic Art Award.
"U-M students have to pay for materials
and lab fees when using the equipment, and,
fortunately, the awards I've won have allowed
me to buy supplies,"
Below: Staci Kerman: A passion for stones.
the burgeoning artist
said.
Below left: Pinning her hopes on a future in
Modern architecture

earrings, a ring and pin — was chosen for
exhibition in the Lapponia International
Traveling Jewelry Design Competition,
and the young artist was asked to partic-
ipate this summer in the Aaron Faber
Gallery Invitational Show in New York,
where the jewelry specialists purchase one-
of-a-kind pieces.
"I like working with three-dimension-
al designs, and jewelry allows me to work
on a smaller scale," said Kerman, recent-
ly awarded first place in competition spon-
sored by the Michigan Jewelers Association
for a necklace made of gold, sterling silver,
amethyst and multicolored tourmalines.
"Because jewelry is on a smaller scale,
I can work on a variety of pieces at one
time. rm constantly coming up with dif-
ferent ideas. I love working with metals
and gemstones.

ro

SUZANNE CHESSLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

iamonds are not Staci Ker-
man's best friend, but they
come close.
As she enters a Universi-
ty of Michigan (U-M) mas-
ter's degree program to
advance her skills in creat-
ing jewelry, Kerman, 22,
already can look back
on selling her wearable art
locally and attaining recog-
nition nationally and inter-
nationally.
Along the way, she completed
a sculpture that has become part of the
permanent White House collection.
"Art is a passion and way of life for
me," said Kerman, whose jewelry inter-
est began in classes at summer camp. "My en-
thusiasm for design is limitless. As a student, I
feel that now is the time to explore, experiment
and create."
Kerman, who has been sought out for jewel-
ry and sculpture projects, also has sold work
through the Janice Charach Epstein Museum
Gallery in West Bloomfield and the Autumn
Arts Festival in Bingham Farms.
A gold and sterling-silver series — bracelets,

Winning awards
for hey jewelry and
sculpture, U-Ms
Staci Kerman has
royal designs for the
future.

jewelry design.

JEWEL page 103