Serena Altea Was Inspired to Make a Niche for Herself in the Jewellery Scene by a Bride’s Complaint About the Lack of Custom Made and Affordable Tiaras. Since Then, Serena Has Created a Huge Range of Tiaras and Accessories Catering for Even the Pickiest Brides. She Chats With Sarah Ezzy-dickson.
AFTER BEING INVOLVED in costume design and theatre for many years, Serena decided to try her hand at making tiaras and, after only two years of practice, she entered the jewellery category in the Brisbane Exhibition in 2000. It was her first year competing, and she was placed in third place, while in her second year of competing (in 2001) she was awarded first place. This moment, Serena says, convinced her to begin making tiaras for a living. She has since created many different tiaras, ranging greatly in complexity and design, and she showcases them on her website, www.smacreations.com.au.
Her company, SMA Creations which is based in Brisbane, was originally created to cover her hair and make-up profession. While Serena’s expertise evolved, the name stayed the same and it now encompasses her jewellery profession as well. While Serena works as a sole trader, she also credits her husband with babysitting their 21-month-old toddler, Sofia, while she’s busy creating her masterpieces. Serena and her husband have just bought their first home so she hasn’t got a dedicated workspace yet, but she says, “Hopefully in a few years and after some renovations I’ll have my own special workroom.” For the moment, she makes do with a temporary desk and set of display shelves at the back of the garage.
Depending on the complexity of the design, it can take up to three hours for Serena to make a tiara, and she sometimes works for up to 16 hours over a weekend. Her preferred method to use when making her tiaras is soldering.
“I love to solder, there’s something grounding about creating something from scratch.”
Serena learnt how to solder by doing a workshop through a local bead store, which she says took about two hours (to learn the basics) and then, “the rest came naturally.”
Denne historien er fra Vol 16 No 3-utgaven av Creative Beading.
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Denne historien er fra Vol 16 No 3-utgaven av Creative Beading.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Retro Is Back
Incorporating hanging donuts into stringing is made easy with this design by Nicky Dierens from Dot.e Designs.
Spirals of Silver Pendant
An easy start to PMC silver torch firing by May Bartrum.
Mediterranian Blue
Blue, Crystals and Aqua in a soft flowing lariat and matching earrigns project to remind you of holidays – designed by Gem Jewels.
Sweet Surrender
Surrender your chain to embellishing with crystals and pearls. Designed by Terrena from Terrena’s Treasures.
Floral Fantasia
A collaboration between Chicky Babe and Wendy Bergamin in Floral Fantasia.
Textured Hollows
Using Hollow Glass Beads and Wool this design has great texture for something strikingly different. Designed by Diana from That Bead Shop.
Crystal Cascade
A simple right angle weave with a firm structure to hang dangles from designed for Crystal Park by Angel Dreams.
Beachy Dream Set
You will dream of cool green palms and pearly beaches when you wear this set designed by Beadiac using a shell pendant that you wire a design to.
Red Coral: A Living, Beading Wonder!
RED CORAL HAS BEEN USED IN JEWELLERY AND DECORATIVE ITEMS SINCE THE AGES OF THE PHARAOHS AND REMAINS A VERY POPULAR CHOICE TODAY, AND NOT JUST FOR ROYALTY. SARAH EZZY-DICKSON DIVES INTO THE HISTORY AND USES OF THIS SOUGHT-AFTER SEMI-PRECIOUS BEAUTY.
A Career Made from Glass
AMAZING GLASS ARTIST PAULINE DELANEY TALKS ABOUT HER PASSION FOR ALL THINGS GLASS.
