Bead Jeweler Anja Chavez takes the spotlight
Jeweler, Anja Chavez will be the featured spotlight artisan at the Yaquina Art Association Gallery from July 18 through July 31, 2015. She will be displaying a variety of necklaces, earrings and bracelets formed from tiny beads creating beautiful colorful jewelry. The display is open daily from 11 to 5 pm at 789 NW Beach Drive in Nye Beach.
Anja Chavez was born and raised in Germany. She moved to the states in 1988, where she first lived in California, then Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2001 they moved to Oregon. “The intended destination was Astoria, but Newport had a pull on us and we never made it any further. Since we lived here, I have obtained 3 Associate degrees, which all combined help me now in my career as an artist. I have become a member in 3 Art Galleries – ForArtsake in the Nye Beach district, Yaquina Arts Association in Newport and the Pacific Artist Alliance in Lincoln City. In addition to being a partial owner/member of these galleries, I am a vendor at the Newport Farmer’s market where I have been selling my jewelry since 2002.”
Anja has been beading since 1991. She learned from a Navajo Lady in a one day class. Since that day, she has never gone without beads/beading. Anja says, “My beads travel anywhere with me: on road trips to the valley, camping, or even on airplanes to germany ( I would go without a change of clothes, but my beads have to come with me).
I am fascinated by colors. Combinations of various colors can evoke so many emotions, and I can get lost for hours just looking at different shades of beads in one particular color. Shapes also play a big role in my designs: symmetry is very important, and so is the “softness” of the creation. There has to be a certain “fluid” motion to each piece, or it just does not “sit right” with me.”
Her 4 children are all very much involved in her beadwork. Daughter Alina has started to learn certain stitches necessary to complete a piece, and her boys have all helped assemble smaller creations. Each one of her children has been seen behind her tables, selling her jewelry.
Beaded Necklace by Anja
