Andrea Mina Savar is an award-winning artist in the mediums of jewelry, beadwork, painting/illustration, fiction writing and textile art. Inspired by the natural world; leaves, flowers and creatures of all kinds tend to wiggle their way into her art. She is a citizen of The Cherokee Nation and a certified TERO artist.
She has always been intrigued by the concept of the Cabinet of Curiosities. Collecting unique treasures to then weave into an eclectic one-of-a-kind adornment is what makes her heart sing. This magpie tendency has taken her around the world and eventually became the foundation for The Curious Nest, the store she owns with her husband.
"The Winships series" The Winship series begins in Port Townsend, Wa. where mystery and a hint of the paranormal preside over the seaside town. Each book tells the tale of a Winship family member, and their curious ways, beginning with Charlotte. The first three novels are now available on Amazon and four more are in the works! Each novel can be read independently although I highly suggest starting with "The Curious Ways of the Winships".
"Evolutionarium series" The Evolutionarium series is set in the not-so-distant future when the Great Change has left the world's inhabitants struggling for elemental balance. Air is the first book in the five novella series. Each story is illustrated and can be read in one sitting.
"The Curious Coloring Book - Faery Forest & Mermaid Lagoon" The Curious Coloring Books are an all ages collection of my black and white illustrations created to relax and enchant. Get out the colored pencils and explore the faery forest and the mermaid lagoon. There are hidden surprises and curious creatures waiting along the path. A perfect way to finish the day or begin the weekend for the young at heart and nimble of finger.
Watercolor is Andrea’s primary medium for paintings. Often inspired from dreams or traditional stories, her work is rich with symbolism that weaves through borders and into starry nights. The vibrant colors are built with hours of careful application of pigment and the subjects are created to inspire thought, tranquility and curiosity. She is honored to have a collection of her originals at home with the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma.
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Clothing design and fabrication are Andrea’s latest creative outlets. While she learned to sew at her grandmother’s side as a child, it was the gift of her auntie’s sewing machine that sparked a new creative endeavor. Her specialties are one of a kind or small batch collections of clothing using upcycled materials, artist printed fabrics including her own fabric designs, antique lace, beaded details and unique notions. She also makes ribbon skirts, ribbon vests and Cherokee style beaded bandolier bags. Her two miniature beaded bandolier bags won 3rd place in the Emerging Artist Category in the 53rd Annual Trail of Tears Art Show and 2nd place in the Diverse Category in the 54th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show. Her clothing is size inclusive, and you can see a preview of her latest work each year in the Spring at the ECA fundraiser “An Edmonds Kind of Fashion Show”. You can also find her clothing year round at The Curious Nest.
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For questions about custom work, wholesale or other inquiries email andrea@andreasavar.com
Andrea is best known for her jewelry which have spanned decades of creation as well as continents. Her collections range from hand fabricated pieces with precious metals and gemstones to homages to literary characters or imaginary creatures created with vintage treasures. One thing is consistent in that each collection is unique and each piece tells its own story. To see her latest jewelry, hot off the workbench, visit her Instagram, Etsy or come see them in person at The Curious Nest.
Her antique French medals and gemstone necklaces and earrings can also be purchased at Watson Kennedy and Susan Wheeler Home in the Seattle. In the meantime, here are some of her favorite past collections. (click on the menus below)
Alice in Wonderland was the very first book that I read on my own. I remember jumping into it with all my imagination seeing the shelf lined rabbit hole with all its little trinkets and treasures so vividly as each character came alive with wonder. I memorized the poems and kept waiting impatiently in the rose garden to see if a white rabbit might happen by. So this collection is very dear to my heart and many years in the making! Some of the parts and pieces I actually found in Oxford (home to Lewis Carrol and Alice Liddel). The silhouettes I cut out of sterling sheets to render each character.
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My Lost Time Collection is created with vintage found objects. Everything from pocket watch keys to unusual vintage jewelry revisited is used to create these unique pieces. I scour the French Flea markets in the hopes of finding these treasures lost to time. I have been making these pieces for the past fifteen years and never tire of recreating a lost piece into a new keepsake.
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The teardrop collection celebrates all that moves from the sky to the water below. I want the idea of water, flora and astral bodies to all be combined into simple feminine jewelry. The teardrop pearl and gemstone invoke beauty and delicacy in my mind like no other shape. There are always pieces from this collection in progress on my workbench. I also can take custom orders.
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As many of you know Halloween is my very favorite holiday! I love all the talk of things that go bump in the night, beautifully crafted jack-o-lanterns on everyone's porches and warm apple cider. So I look forward to creating my October jewelry collections most of all. Here are some of my favorites from Halloween collections of old.
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The enchanted forest is one of my fine jewelry collections. I use precious stones and 18k to 22k gold to create these heirloom pieces. Some are made with antique French centerpieces while others are cast by me. But all are unique and hold a little bit of forest magic to be worn through your daily journey.
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La Belle Époque collection is made with pieces from the late 1890s to 1920s combined with some of my favorite gemstones. Floral designs and art nouveau ladies are at the heart of these jewels. I wove the tendrils and buds together with sterling and gold-filled wire to create luxurious yet affordable pieces. I am waiting impatiently for a new 'belle époque' to emerge.
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In homage to one of my favorite authors, I created a collection of jewelry inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's short stories and poems. For some I made miniature original paintings set on filigree. Others I just used found objects that inspired me and combined seemed to invoke his stories. A toast to Poe!
andrea savar jewelry designer artist writer the curious ways of the winships pearls gems semi-precious stones precious stones antique vintage french unique pieces Seattle Washington
