Baubles- bangles- and beads - oh boy!
By Ann B. Doran Sentinel writer

Sentinel photos by Ann B. Doran Above left, jewelry artist Loye Merwin at work in her studio. Above right, Merwin's hand drawn feathered "Lounging Lady" note cards were selling quickly. Below, Merwin's original bracelet designs in 14k gold and sterling silver in an artful array.

Some women I know would like to receive that new electric can opener, a pound of chocolates or a canoe or some such for a valentine. However, most women I dare say would not be offended by the lasting gift of beautiful jewelry.

Jewelry artist Loye Merwin was a born designer. When she was a little girl growing up in Atlanta, she began drawing her own fashions for her paper dolls and later designed many of her high school outfits. Now Western North Carolina is lucky enough to reap the rewards of Merwin's creativity in gem stones, Swarovski crystal and bead-bedecked 14k gold and sterling silver jewelry.

After growing up in Atlanta, Merwin traveled extensively with her husband and raised their four children - and they then selected Western North Carolina in which to settle. They have lived in Clay County for 14 years.

Merwin was an avid member of women's golf here for many years. She used to play golf practically full time until her jewelry-making "hobby" became her passion - she has since even given up the club membership!

In 2001 Merwin took a class at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts located in Young Harris, Ga. The word "lapidary" means one who cuts, polishes and/or engraves precious stones according to Webster's dictionary.

The William Holland School of Lapidary Arts was founded in 1983 by Harold and Mary Lou Sparks (with the time, money and help of many other area rock enthusiasts, or rockhounds as they are also called.) The Sparks had discovered there were no schools for lapidary arts, only a few area workshops one could attend each year. Harold Sparks was the eighth president of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS) in 1983. He decided to name his new school after William Holland, who was third present of the SFMS.

Loye Merwin's first studies at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts took hold of her inner genius and charted her pasttimes into a new direction. She has completed ten of the renowned school's classes in lapidary arts and continues to study with two more classes on her agenda for this year.

She has studied accessory skills to complete her creations, too, such as wirecraft, gold and silver smithing, glass fusing and beading. She has also studied other artists' techniques from around the world.

I asked Merwin where she obtains her inspirations, because the quality of workmanship and the variety in her jewelry studio/shop are amazing.

"Some of the 'patterns' I implement are patterns learned in classes, while others have come out of my own head." she said. Merwin said she also gets ideas from all kinds of sources such as fabrics - skirts for example. This brings to my mind her own personal jewelry philosophy, which can be summed up as follows: "Don't buy jewelry to match your clothing; buy clothing to match your jewelry!"

Merwin's studio/shop is located just off Hayesville's Historic Courthouse Square at 80 Main Street. In addition to her original designs in rings, bracelets and necklaces, I was drawn to her very special angel pins.

Sentinel photos by Ann B. Doran Above, colorful matched necklaces, bracelets and earings may be purchased individually or in matched sets. Everything that is beautiful from Swarovski crystals to Drusy Quartz goes into the creation of Loye Merwin's jewelry. Below, Merwin showcases original jewelry in which she applied some of the techniques of Eni Oken, a well known Brazilian jewelry artist.

"I like to give one of these angel pins as a small gift to a person who is hospitalized. I believe they also are nice for persons who have been recently widowed." she told me.

The approximately 1-1/2 inch high delicately wrought angels are crafted from either 14k gold or sterling silver and have birthstone heads - and halos of course.

Baubles, Bangles & Beads offers other items made by Merwin, too. Her hand drawn "Lounging Lady" note cards show bejeweled ladies with feathered hairpieces and beaded costumes. She does custom work in jewelry, too.

Prayer beads are one of Merwin's favorite pieces that she composes. They can be used for any faith and in any manner one wishes, however, customers will receive a beautiful "Anglican Rosary" explanation with suggestions on use. A Cross and 33 beads, with one "Invitatory" bead, four Cruciform beads and four groups of seven "Week" beads comprise the circlet of beauty. Suggestions include to "select an overall theme you wish to reflect in your prayers such as healing, peace, family, or whatever you want to focus upon....There is no set form."

I happened to overhear a customer browsing at Baubles, Bangles & Beads the day I was in, and here is what she was saying: "I have been in many other similar type shops, and none of them even comes close to this shop for quality in design."

Stop in to Baubles, Bangles & Beads in Hayesville. Or you may call Loye Merwin for information at 828-342-3166.

For Valentine sweethearts and, well, in my opinion, for any occasion all year, beautiful jewelry makes a perfect and lasting gift.

At right, a closer look reveals the fine workmanship.

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