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 Handmade Jewelry by Sara Hart from Groundwork

Our shop has an eclectic variety of goods for sale from soaps to body sprays to our warm and cozy neck wraps. We also sell jewelry from a variety of local purveyors that break the mold on conventional pieces. One collection of jewelry that we offer comes from a lovely artist named Sara Hart who founded Groundwork. Based in Alabama, Sara creates a unique collection of handmade jewelry constructed from materials she finds all over the United States.

Sara upcycles vintage pieces into beautiful works of art and her hope is that people will enjoy them as much as she has fun making them. We asked Sara a few questions about her work and her inspiration behind the creativity she expresses in her jewelry line. We also showcase some of Sara’s favorite pieces. More information about Sara and her jewelry line can be found on her website.

How did you get started with Groundwork?

I started my jewelry business soon after I had my first child. I was taking off a little time from work, and it started as a fun hobby. After one store inquired about buying some for their store, it occurred to me that this could actually be a business. So, pretty quickly I decided to not go back to the regular 9 to 5 job.

How do you find inspiration to create your pieces?

My inspiration comes from a variety of places. Anywhere from high-end fashion magazines, a hike in the woods, or city architecture, I never know when a design idea will come to me. Sometimes it’s a color combination, other times it’s the lines from a building

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What do the pieces mean to you?

Each piece I create means a lot to me. I enjoy creating each piece, and always hope that whoever purchases the piece will enjoy wearing it just as much!

Typically, how long does it take you to make a piece of jewelry and what does it entail to create a piece from start to finish?

It varies so much as far as the time needed to make a piece. For example, a small pair of earrings may only take 5-10 minutes, but a more intricate necklace may take closer to 30 minutes.  I sit at my studio desk and have tons of materials out to play around with until I find combinations that I love.

What materials do you use for your jewelry?

I use mostly brass findings and natural gemstones. Lots of the brass pieces are vintage. I shop all over for the materials, including antique shows in Atlanta to warehouses in NYC[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3106″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]

How many of each piece do you make?

Sometimes a piece will be one of a kind. Other times I will make 30-40 of a single piece.

What is one piece of jewelry that every woman should have in her jewelry box?

I think that every woman should own at least one long, versatile, neutral necklace that could be worn with jeans and a tank, or dressed up with a simple black dress.

Do you make custom pieces? If someone had material they wanted you to use, could you design and create a piece for them?

Yes, over the years I have had many people that have given me old family heirlooms (brooches, keys, etc) and asked me to repurpose into something wearable for them.

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3107″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]We carry many unique and beautiful handmade pieces from Groundwork right in our shop. Stop by to try one on or to pick one up as a special gift. There is nothing like it in Asheville and we know you’ll love Sara’s pieces as much as we do.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]