Sakura Blossoms - Sakura Petal Dangle Earrings

Artist: Dana Cassara
Materials: sterling silver
Dimensions: 1/2" x 1 3/8"

Artist Statement: Every year in mid-march Seattle explodes with cherry blossoms. It is such a treat after the long, dark and dreary months of winter to be surrounded by magical pink fluff overhead and eventually cascading onto the streets and sidewalks around town. We call it pink snow. I love to experience the full cycle and hoped to capture some of this excitement in my pieces for this Yukata Inspired Show. After spending hours hand cutting full cherry blossoms I began to see the simple beauty of just one petal. In the Sakura Petal series, each petal is unique giving the design an organic warmth. I chose a brushed finish making the hard metal appear soft as a cherry blossom's petal.

Artist Bio: Dana Cassara began practicing the art of silversmithing in 1992. She discovered her love for the craft after returning to school to pursue a teaching degree. She graduated from the University of Washington in 1998 with a B.A. in Comparative History of Ideas and Interdisciplinary Visual Arts, because she just couldn’t stay out of the art department... She has been teaching jewelry design since 1999 and loves what she does. Her aim as an instructor is to guide individuals through the learning process offering solid technical information, personalized attention, and lots of fun. With the intention of setting students on the path towards transforming their ideas into solid form, she hopes students will take the experience they gain in this studio beyond the classroom into their everyday life where problem solving skills and a profound sense of achievement always come in handy!

Explore more designs by Dana Cassara, click HERE.

Fabric Motif: Sakura, cherry blossoms, symbolize both life and death, beauty and violence. In spring, the delicate cherry blossoms promise new life, bringing a sense of vitality. At the same time, their short lifespans are a reminder that life is fleeting.

This piece was part of the Yukata Inspired 2024, a collaborative exhibition between Okan Arts & Danaca Design featuring metalwork and collage. Learn more and view the entire collection HERE.