Q&A With Jewelry Designer, Martha Sintz

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

As I was shopping for some locally made gifts at Yellow Door Art Market in Berkley, I came across the unique jewelry creations of Birmingham-based designer, Martha Sintz.

My eyes were instantly drawn to a necklace made from sterling silver, chrysocolla (a natural stone made into “beaded beads”) and a large dichroic glass center bead. I love the iridescent element and the ombré effect of the design.

I had the chance to meet the mastermind behind the jewelry. Here, Sintz shares the scoop about her wearable art.

HS: How did your interest in jewelry making first spark?

MS: My interest in jewelry began about 10 years ago. My mother, who was then in her 80s and loved color, taught herself to make simple, beaded jewelry, especially the memory wire bracelets. She then taught my daughter, who expanded on what she learned and started making jewelry as gifts. I went to visit her in New York City and one day, while we were running errands in the city, she took me into a bead shop to pick up some supplies for her work.  I came out three hours later with $300 worth of beads and have been hooked ever since.

HS: How did your passion evolve into a business?

MS: Like most beaders, when I wore my jewelry, my friends asked me to create things for them. Then I started having jewelry parties at home and continued to sell to my friends. When I was laid off from work last March, I started making jewelry full-time and became a part of Yellow Door. I am looking to expand my market so I can afford to continue to do this full-time.

HS: What inspires your creations?

MS: Being very visual. I am inspired by color, as well as when I see stones and crystals. Sometimes pictures in magazines inspire me. My goal is to often make a piece of jewelry the focal point around which an outfit is planned (i.e. pick the jewelry and then buy the dress to go with it).

HS: What types of materials do you use in your designs? And where do you get your beautiful beads?

MS: I use Swarovski crystals, dichroic beads, natural stones such as turquoise, amethyst, agate, jasper, tourmaline, semi-precious beads such as aquamarines, tanzanite and sapphires, sterling silver, lead-free pewter, and other crystals.  I buy the majority of my beads at the bead shows that come to the area from March until November, such as the International Gem and Jewelry show. I have been to the huge two-week gem and jewelry show in Tucson several times, which is my favorite. Locally, I buy a lot of my supplies at Munro Crafts in Berkley, right down the street from Yellow Door.

HS: What is the price range for your jewelry?

MS: My pieces range from $15 to $175.  I do necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and watches.

HS: Do you offer custom jewelry?

MS: Yes, I do custom jewelry and have lots of options to offer.

Some other designs by Sintz that caught my attention include this statement piece made from green quartz beads with a solid sterling silver hammered pendant from India and an amethyst pearl clasp.

This necklace, made from pink crazy lace agate and sterling silver with a Swarovski crystal clasp, is a great way to add a pop of color to your wardrobe this spring.

In addition to Yellow Door Art Market, Sintz also is selling her designs at Whimsy in Royal Oak, a new art consignment and gift store that now represents 70 Michigan artists. The designer is working on launching her website and hopes to sell her creations on www.etsy.com in the near future.

For more information, contact Sintz at 248.593.8402 or msintz@mindspring.com.

Hoda Salameh

The name Hoda (pronounced Hood-a) means guidance. It's no wonder I'm a natural born guidance giver of style. Fashion is more than just supermodels strutting down a runway in $5,000 Christian Louboutin heels... it's a business, a culture, a lifestyle and for some like me, it's a passion.

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Emily J. March 7, 2012 7:17 pm

Love the pieces!! Bee-you-tee-full!!!!!!! Such nice use of color and layout. Good luck with your business.

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