Sharayah Sheldon

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BIOGRAPHY

Sharayah Sheldon is a distinguished artist, designer, and creator of high fashion bead-embroidered art, known for her unique, one-of-a-kind wearable creations. Her designs incorporate a wide range of materials, including turquoise, copper, crystal, pearl, and eclectic beads. Each piece she crafts starts with a single focal object that sparks her creativity, guiding her to visualize a masterpiece that will become a necklace, bracelet, barrette, or purse. With the beads acting as her palette and the beading space as her canvas, Sharayah treats her craft as an art form, where her needle serves as a paintbrush and every design tells a unique story. Over the years, she has expanded her repertoire, incorporating shibori silk ribbon and lampwork beads into her designs, which further enhance the textures and colors of her creations.

Before becoming a full-time artist, Sharayah’s journey was diverse, beginning in the world of performance art. She was a clarinetist, receiving a music scholarship to pursue her passion at the university level. Her education took a turn toward teaching and counseling, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in special education, followed by a master’s in educational psychology and a doctorate in philosophy/comparative religions. For many years, Sharayah dedicated herself to teaching and counseling, but a life-changing event in 2005 shifted her trajectory. A serious moped accident resulted in a neurological injury that ultimately forced her to leave her job and seek a new path in life. This unexpected turn of events became the catalyst for Sharayah’s artistic reinvention, as she found solace and purpose in bead embroidery and weaving.

Though primarily self-taught, Sharayah honed her craft by studying with renowned bead artists, including Sherry Serafini, Marcia DeCoster, and Carol Cypher. Her journey in beadwork began with floral designs, which she exhibited at juried art shows. Despite facing health challenges, including a knee-to-ankle bone graft surgery in 2000, Sharayah’s resilience led her to develop her beadwork skills further. She transformed each setback into an opportunity to grow, blending artistry with healing in a way that deepened her connection to her work. Through her creations, she channels her life’s challenges into pieces of beauty, offering both herself and her clients a way to connect with the personal stories embedded in each design.

Sharayah views her life as a tapestry, recognizing that the dark moments often make the bright ones shine even more brightly. This philosophy is reflected in her work, which combines vibrant colors and textures with intricate patterns, resulting in pieces that are as much about emotional expression as they are about aesthetic appeal. She is deeply committed to her faith, with a strong belief that her work is a way to honor both her life’s purpose and God. Based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, also known as Lake Country, Sharayah continues to create stunning, bespoke jewelry that resonates with her clients. She strives to “WOW” her clients and glorify God through the beauty and uniqueness of her bead embroidery and woven pieces.

In addition to her jewelry design, Sharayah maintains a passion for continuing education, taking courses in photography, foreign languages, and computer technology. She also enjoys reading novels and performing on the clarinet, activities that allow her to keep exploring her creative side. With each piece she crafts, Sharayah Sheldon brings an artistic vision to life, creating jewelry that is both a personal reflection and a statement of elegance and artistry. Her work stands as a testament to her resilience, creativity, and devotion to both her craft and her faith.

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