Press

Chaya has received both local and national recognition

Chaya Studio Spotlighted AGAIN by WMTW:

http://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-jeweler-opens-shop-to-artists-craftsmen/8474318

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine —For 11 months of the year, Chaya Caron is busy enough, making and marketing her own line of custom jewelry, but when December arrives, she opens her shop, Chaya Studio Jewelry in South Portland, to more than a dozen other artists and craftsmen to showcase and sell their works.”This time of year, in particular, to have an opportunity to not only open my doors to the community but to give back to the community is personally very fulfilling,” Caron said.

Four years ago, Caron started the Holiday Benefit Art Show and Sale.

The show features a wide array of works, including jewelry, art, woodworking, cards and calendars. She touts locally-made gifts in every price range.

For the 15 craft-artisans taking part, this is a special opportunity that allows them to show their work in a different setting than just their own shops or websites.

Andrew Cook, who created the company Lobstering is an Art, recognizes there is strength in numbers.

“We see each other working hard. We see each other behind the scenes, what it takes to get your product out there and into the marketplace,” Cook said.

The show runs daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Christmas Eve, with a special artist reception Friday, Dec. 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., which is open to the public.

Ten percent of the show’s profits will be donated to Camp Sunshine in Casco.

Chaya is spotlighted in Maine Sunday Telegram’s Valentine’s Day issue for Sustainable Weddings!

http://www.pressherald.com/2016/02/14/say-i-do-wearing-sustainably-made-wedding-jewelry/

Chaya Studio Spotlighted by WMTW:

http://www.wmtw.com/money/maine-woman-creating-sustainable-jewelry/32131454

Can you imagine owning a fine piece of jewelry made from an old tooth filling, car parts or a discarded spoon?A jewelry maker from South Portland is doing just that to keep the jewelry industry sustainable.

Chaya Caron’s creations highlight her passion for the environment.

“I do enjoy working with nature, inspired, so you’ll see a lot of birds, flowers and tree themes in my work,” Caron said.

Her choice of materials also shows her environmental passion.

“It’s all recycled, repurposed materials rather than say a mix of recycled and newly mined,” Caron said.

Caron has made it her mission not to purchase any newly mined or untraceable gemstones.

It was a vow she made years ago while researching the mining industry.

“I was appalled by the mining practices and the damages that they do to the eco-systems and human rights, that I thought I was going to have to quit working with gold and silver in order to sleep at night,” said Caron.

Most of the metal Caron works with comes from companies that specialize in extracting the most precious metals fro scrap.

Nothing inside her workshop goes to waste. Even the tiniest flecks of metal are swept up and saved to be melted down.

What looks like trash will reveal a treasure’s worth of metal.

“It has precious metal on it, and the refining industry has learned to be very efficient in its ways of breaking down that stuff, that trash, and extracting the precious metals so it can be reused once again,” said Caron.

While Caron said her pieces are one-of-a-kind, she hopes her eco-friendly practices will be copied.

She said there is plenty of precious scrap to go around.

“We could actually stop mining today and we would have enough metal to continue to make lots of jewelry and keep everybody happy and looking beautiful,” said Caron.

Caron said the fact that the metals are recycled does not diminish their value.

Even recycled, the metal she buys is pure, whether it is 14 or 18 karat gold or sterling silver.

Click here to see Caron’s work.

Chaya Studio Spotlighted by WGME Channel 13, “Saving You Money: Repurposing Jewelry”:

PORTLAND (WGME) — Before you go out and buy some brand new jewelry, do yourself a favor and see what you have at home first.

In this week’s saving you money, how repurposing old jewelry can create brand new looking trinkets and keep more cash in your wallet.

Chaya Caron owns Chaya studio in South Portland and makes custom jewelry from old items.

Caron says you don’t have to break the bank when it comes to repurposing jewelry. She claims the custom price is about 50% of what it would have cost to buy something brand new. According to Caron, a ring with diamonds that would have cost $7,000 brand new at a jewelry story, she has made for a as little as $2,500. Basically she and many other jewelers who make custom items can make a one of a kind pieces that will fit into your budget.

Caron also says repurposed jewelry can do a lot more than save you money. It’s also good for the environment by reusing the old items which reduces their carbon footprint.

Chaya Studio Spotlighted by Niche Magazine

Local Jewelry Artist Selected as Finalist in National Magazine Competition

Portland, Maine — October 30, 2013 — Chaya Caron, owner of Chaya Studio Jewelry in Portland, has been selected as a finalist in two categories of the 2014 Niche Awards. Each year, NICHE magazine hosts the awards in recognition of both production and limited-edition craft works made in the United States and Canada, and Caron is among only five finalists in each category. Her Platinum Diamond Bubble Ring was selected as a finalist in the wedding jewelry category, and her Eastern Star Flower Ornament with Stand is competing in the Non-Jewelry Enamel category.

“Almost as important as the appreciation of my clients is the recognition of my peers,” said Caron. “It’s an honor to be spotlighted by such an esteemed publication.”

The competition includes art galleries and craft retailers with wholesale crafts, handmade gifts and decorative art objects made in artist studios, and winners will be announced in January at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia in conjunction with the Buyers Market of American Craft.

Chaya Studio Jewelry Spotlighted by Craft Report Magazine – Her work was featured in the July 2013 Crafts Report, a trade publication often referred to as “the Wall Street Journal for the crafts industry.” Caron’s Fern Cocktail Ring was spotlighted in a feature about artists who work with environmentally friendly materials.