The majority of her work is made by fabrication, which means the metal is directly worked by tools and by hand.

Cheryl’s one-of-a-kind pieces are designed around remarkable gemstones and often feature her handmade Roman chains. She has stunningly mastered use of gold and silver. Cheryl also incorporates an ancient technique called KumBoo into some of her original designs. This is an overlay process using 24K gold to create patterns on silver.

“Artistically, my goal is to combine ancient techniques with my contemporary concepts, into an elegant piece with a look of timeless beauty. Often an unusual gemstone is the inspiration for the composition. Occasionally, my work will reflect a bit of humor or whimsy.” – Cheryl

“Creating objects in metal brings me great joy, which I hope is apparent to the viewer, and contagious to the ultimate recipient of my work.” – Cheryl

Cheryl Swartz is a graduate of Bowling Green State University of Ohio. There she studied metals/jewelry under Harold Hasselschwert. With further studies in metal at the Toledo Museum of Art, University of Southern Colorado, Pueblo and Riverbend Art Center, Dayton, Ohio.

She has taught art in the public schools, metals at Edison Community College and chain-making workshops at Riverbend Art Center in Ohio. Cheryl is looking forward to teaching scheduled classes at the Colorado Center for Metal Arts in Pueblo, Colorado.

In 2015 Cheryl and her husband Terry relocated from Ohio to Westcliffe, CO where she now has a working studio with a retail area in the front.