Business Details
16 Years
experience
Handcrafted Sea Glass & Pearl Jewelry in Calabash
Founded in 2010, Jewelry By Wendy represents over 75 local artists while showcasing my 50-year journey in handcrafted jewelry design. My career began with childhood experimentation using salvaged wire, evolved through formal metalsmithing education, and refined through industry roles in mass production and repair techniques. Diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2018, I continue creating as a testament to resilience, personally crafting each piece using ethically sourced sea glass and freshwater pearls.Our gallery in Calabash provides emerging artists a platform to showcase their work, maintaining our commitment to quality through hand-polished sterling silver and 14kt gold-filled materials. Every creation reflects decades of technical mastery and a passion for transforming discarded materials into wearable art.
Services
Sea glass jewelry
Freshwater pearl jewelry
Art gallery representation
Jewelry classes
Custom designs
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer 50 years of jewelry-making expertise with formal metalsmithing training
- Our cancer survivor founder personally crafts every piece
- We ethically source sea glass from local beaches
- We support regional artists through gallery representation
- We use hand-polished sterling silver and 14kt gold-filled materials
Services
Sea Glass Jewelry
We create unique jewelry using authentic sea glass collected from North Carolina beaches. Each piece undergoes careful selection and bezel setting or wire wrapping techniques. Our collection includes bracelets, earrings, and pendants featuring recycled ocean glass combined with freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals.
Freshwater Pearl Jewelry
Our pearl collection features handcrafted earrings and necklaces combining freshwater pearls with sterling silver and gold-filled components. Designs range from classic pearl drops to contemporary wire-wrapped arrangements, all emphasizing natural beauty and artisan craftsmanship in every piece.
Local Art Gallery
We operate a community-focused gallery exhibiting works from over 75 regional artists. The space provides emerging talent opportunities for exposure while maintaining strict quality standards. Featured artists receive personalized support and professional display environments for their creations.
Jewelry Classes
We offer hands-on jewelry-making classes teaching wire wrapping, bead arrangement, and metal texturing techniques. Students learn using professional tools and materials while creating personalized pieces under expert guidance from our experienced artisans.
Custom Jewelry
We create personalized jewelry pieces tailored to client specifications. Our custom service includes design consultation, material selection, and prototype creation. Each custom order receives individual attention to ensure unique, meaningful final products that meet specific requirements.
People
Wendy Weber
Owner, Designer & Artist
With 50 years of jewelry-making experience, Wendy creates all pieces using hand-polished metals and ethically sourced materials. She opened her Calabash gallery in 2010 to showcase local artists while continuing cancer survivor advocacy through her craft.
Marie Kasper
Featured Artist
Award-winning watercolor painter with over 50 years experience. Former advertising design major who studied under Boston portrait artists. Her coastal-themed works have received multiple regional awards and hang in the Bolivia Government Complex.
Linda Testa
The Peaceful Beader
Self-taught bead artist with 10+ years experience creating custom jewelry. Former retail manager with Philadelphia roots who draws inspiration from European and Asian artists while assisting in gallery operations.
Questions
What makes sea glass jewelry unique?
Each piece contains genuine sea glass shaped by ocean waves for years, making every jewelry item one-of-a-kind with natural textures and colors.
Do you offer custom jewelry design services?
Yes, we provide personalized design consultations to create custom pieces using your preferred materials and specifications.
How does the gallery support local artists?
We showcase over 75 regional artists, providing exhibition space and sales opportunities while maintaining strict quality standards.
What materials do you use in jewelry making?
We use ethically sourced sea glass, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver, and 14kt gold-filled components.
Can I learn jewelry-making techniques?
Yes, we offer hands-on classes teaching wire wrapping, bead arrangement, and metal texturing techniques to all skill levels.
What inspired the business creation?
Founder Wendy Weber's lifelong passion for jewelry making and 2010 dream to establish a community-focused gallery in Calabash.
