Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaby Briceno.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m a Venezuelan artist who began designing jewelry while earning my undergraduate degree in Business Administration in Caracas, Venezuela and my Masters in Marketing in Brisbane, Australia. I came to the United States 4 years ago, July 2014, looking for a better life.
I grew up in a brilliantly artistic home. My mother has always been a role model in my family; working in ceramics, baking, painting, wood carving and so forth. My dad is a builder and a lover of the culinary arts. My sister introduced me to jewelry design and from there I took off. My sister and I were constantly making something out of materials from this giant ‘steamer’ trunk my mother had filled with crafting supplies.
I had a terribly rough experience in Venezuela that forced me to come to the United States. Even though it was the hardest decision I had to make, at the time, it was the best decision I have ever made. Here, in these united states, I developed a greater appreciation for opportunity and fulfillment. Here, I met my happiness, my husband, Miguel. Thanks to him I discovered abilities I didn’t know I was good at. I began classes in flying trapeze and silks, for instance. That helped me fight through some fears.
My deepest passion has always been the arts and crafts, though. Creating jewelry is a big part of my life; it touches every aspect of who I am. Professionally, as I mentioned before, I am a business administrator with a marketing specialization, but I spend most of all my free time making or designing jewelry, and in between, flying.
Please tell us about your art.
Designing and creating handmade jewelry is what I do. My collections evolved from beaded jewelry to metalsmith jewelry. I began the art of metalsmith in 2005. I created jewelry using different materials such as sterling silver, pure silver, copper, aluminum, etc. Some of my pieces are hand cut using a jeweler’s saw and then forged by hand. Other pieces are designed on the computer, printed in a 3D printer and then cast through lost-wax casting methods.
Every piece is handmade and forged from raw materials in my home/workshop in Miami, Florida. I’m dedicated to providing original pieces that moves both me and my audience; pieces that are fashionable and chic.
When I display a piece, I’m hoping someone appreciates my art and the effort put into each piece to make it unique. Since it is a handmade piece, I expect the buyer to understand that each piece will not be necessarily symmetrically perfect; I’m not a machine. The imperfections give the piece personality and character. I try to create and capture a mood, be it happy, concerned, angry so as to reflect some of that energy in the piece.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
I have learned that knowing my audience is key when designing and creating my pieces. It is very important to consider the buyer; the who, what, when, where, how and why of each individual that may like my art. I’ve been guilty of designing inconsiderately on what I like and not based on what my audience may like. I would encourage artists to consider their audience. We are all slaves to their approval, their admiration and, for the majority of us, their wallets.
Regarding uniqueness and creativity; I would advise artists to not be afraid to feed off one another. It’s important to put one’s own energy into a creation, but artists are part of a special community, and in my humble opinion, inspiration is derived from others.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can visit my workshop in Miami, Florida by appointment or they can also visit my website www.gabybdesings.com or my Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/gabybdesigns.
Contact Info:
- Address: Miami, FL
- Website: www.gabybdesigns.com
- Phone: +1 (786) 387-0016
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/gabybdesigns
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/gabybdesigns
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/gabybdesigns
Image Credit:
Martha Pardo (personal picture) and myself (the rest of the pictures).
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
