Melanie has been an artist her whole life. Born in Youngstown, Ohio where she received a BFA with emphasis in design. Since the completion of her undergraduate degree, she excels in fine arts, color correction printing, digital & graphic design. In pursuit of a Masters Degree in Art Therapy, she practiced meditation & became a Yoga Therapist. This meditative journey led her to Maui Hawaii in 2007. Where she lives for 17 years. Maui Island inspired her focus so much that 15 years ago through practicing meditation, she dove into creating unique bespoke jewelry which merges a modern high end, cutting edge to the traditional seamstress bead work taught to her by her Slovak & Native American elders. Inspired by traditional Native American prayer ceremony & a yearning to learn more about her tribal ancestral lineage.

"I started making Gemstone, Glass & Metal jewelry in 2007 for healing and my love for rejuvenating through meditation, gemstones and alchemical metals. This creative blessing has completely changed my life! I am very passionate about creating art especially colorful & tactile art. 

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I cherish creating top quality, high end adornment jewelry, captivating vibrational healing art pieces with extreme loving attention & intuition.  All of my tropical color combinations are envisioned by all colors that can be seen in nature, by the naked eye & through meditations inspired by traveling & living on the island of Maui for 17 years. All materials used in the designs are high end gemstones, solid gold, 14K gold filled, solid sterling, rose gold, the smallest found glass seed beads, natural Hawaiian seeds & shells that I have hand harvested & drilled. Customization of solid gold or white gold available upon request. Some customized pieces are hand drawn first & then turned in to 3D fringe jewelry keepsake heirlooms.

 

I have been a painter, illustrator, designer & admirer of beauty & body adornment my whole life. All Pastels, Paintings and Drawings on this site are the original ideas acquired through meditation, studying nature, intuition, love and creative exploration. My creative passions led me to Maui Hawaii in 2007 which helped cultivate my spiritual path, practice morning watercolor sessions, deepening my meditation & prayers, then being deeply healed & inspired.​

I dedicate everything that I create to my family lineage for they have cultivated my vision, this artistic passion & living dream. My family lineage is one of my biggest inspirations to me along with living on The Island of Maui."

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In 2001 after receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts with emphasis in Graphic Design, I established Swan Designs. Since the completion of my undergraduate degree, I peruse a career working as a freelance artist, illustrator, graphic designer & jewelry artisan. In further pursuit of peace, I continued my education towards an MFA in Art Therapy & Dance & Movement Therapy which later evolved into a certification in Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, several other Yoga teacher trainings & a deep passion for healing the body, mind & spirit. I plan on continuing my education even more in fashion design & techniques in metal smithing. I have experienced working with museums, universities, various interesting businesses, and also for prospective art lovers. Within the last 26 years I've accumulated thirteen awards of recognition internationally through juried exhibitions and portfolio reviews, including 1 gold & 3 silver key awards through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. With 20 years or more experience in realistic Life Drawing Skills/Portraits, Watercolor, Oil and Acrylic Painting, Pastels, Airbrushing, Artisan Jewelry Design, Modern Art, Dance and Yoga Therapy, Traditional Graphic Design, Digital & Fine Art Photography, Gicleé printing, Creative Design, Website Design, Marketing & Advertising. My jewelry works have had honorable recognition in gallery exhibitions in Miami, New York City & Paris since 2012!!!! "