Sakura Blossoms - Sakura Fluff Brooch

Artist: Dana Cassara
Materials: ammonia fumed copper, sterling silver, surgical steel pin
Dimensions: 3" round

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 which eventually cascades 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.  My Sakura Fluff Brooch is pierced and hand cut from copper sheet, then each petal has been manipulated to give the brooch a three dimensional fluffy feeling. Fuming copper in ammonia results in a teal to turquois blue patina that comes quite close to the blue in my selected Sakura fabric. The brooch is fairly large but lightweight, like it's namesake.

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 the 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.