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11/27/2024 07:05 AMWhile jewelry making is the newest form of Sharon Smith-Alling’s artistic expression, the Branford resident knew her work was winning fans when she began to see her beautifully crafted necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets adorning folks at the many art shows where she exhibits.
“The most exciting thing for me is when people come to the art festivals wearing my jewelry,” says Sharon. “That is so flattering.”
This year, Sharon is back for her second season as one of the talented local artists, adding sparkle to the work of hundreds of American artists, filling Guilford Art Center’s (GAC) Holiday Expo 2024. Holiday Expo 2024 opened Nov. 1 in the GAC Gallery and runs through Sun. Jan. 5. Holiday Expo offers gift categories including accessories, candles, cards, ceramics, clothing, fiber art, glass, homewares, jewelry, leather, Christmas ornaments, soaps, specialty foods, stationery, and more.
As every purchase supports an artist, as well as supporting nonprofit GAC’s mission of providing arts education and experience to the shoreline community, Holiday Expo truly defines the meaning of “shop local,” Sharon notes.
Sharon’s experience as a local artist ties back to the former Branford Crafts Village at Bittersweet Farms. A talented seamstress, Sharon had a sewing shop at Bittersweet, specializing in creating one-of-a-kind purses, home decor, and wedding accessories.
The work with needle and thread and eye for textiles wasn’t too far of a stretch from Sharon’s education at the Fashion Institute of Technology and her first career as an assistant buyer in the New York City fashion industry.
Sharon credits her second career as a dental hygienist with helping to lead her into her long-held interest in metalsmithing and jewelry making.
“As dental hygienists, we work with our hands all the time. All the equipment is very similar, the polishers and handheld instruments,” says Sharon. “I’ve been going to art festivals and places like Guilford Art Center for over 30 years, and I always bought sterling jewelry. I kept saying to myself, ‘Someday, I’m going to make this.’”
About three years ago, Sharon’s husband, Tom, encouraged her to start taking classes, including classes taken over the course of two years at GAC. The pieces she built in her classes led to Sharon’s start in displaying her jewelry at a few local art shows and galleries, including Middletown’s Wesleyan Potters.
A bit closer to home, Sharon found some amazing local art galleries and showing opportunities, as well. She was thrilled when she was invited to join GAC’s Holiday Expo for the first time in 2023, followed by being provided with space for a year-round display of her jewelry in The Shop at GAC.
“I started out at their Holiday Expo, and my jewelry sold, so they’ve kept it in their regular shop all year long,” says Sharon.
In March of 2024, she also began displaying her jewelry at the Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) Gallery and continues to offer pieces at BACA, as well.
Sharon works in a home studio where she produces unique pieces for women and men.
“It started out as something I was going to do when I retire, and it turned into a business. I wasn’t expecting that, but I always have to be doing something - I can’t sit still! So between all the shows I’ve been doing and stocking all the shops, I’m pretty much working all the time,” she says.
Sharon pulls inspiration from several areas: the stones and metal she may acquire, a sketch she may have in mind, or feedback from people she meets at shows. Sharon credits one of her best-selling rings, a wide band topped by four slender bars, to Tom.
“I designed a ring for a woman, and my husband liked it and suggested something that was similar but for a man. It’s one of my most popular rings. Both men and women wear it, and some couples buy them together.”
Many of the designs Sharon creates can be viewed at her Instagram and Facebook pages (@sallingjewelrydesigns). Because she works with unique materials, several of her pieces will never be duplicated.
“Sometimes, I’ll get a stone, and I know I’ll never get another stone like that again. Those pieces are hard to give away because I end up liking it!” she says.
Also due to feedback, Sharon’s come up with another crowd-pleaser: selling rings in many sizes.
“A lot of times, rings are generally being offered in sizes 7 to 8-and-a-half. I sell rings from size 2 to 14, and that’s one of the things everybody comments on and tells me they really appreciate,” says Sharon. “There are people with really slender fingers who love the size 2 simple stack rings. My popular size is 12. For people with arthritic fingers, they love the fact that I’m selling bigger rings. Some of the best feedback I get is that I’m inclusive with my ring sizes.”
As someone with an eye for art, Sharon says it's not only exciting to be a part of the 2024 Holiday Expo at GAC — it’s a thrill to visit the beautiful work on display created by so many talented artists.
“I have to buy something every time. I was there on the first day it opened and bought something!”
Located in the GAC Gallery at 411 Church Street, Guilford, the 2024 Holiday Expo is open seven days a week. Shopping hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.