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Boardman jewelry-maker creates wearable art
Boardman Jewelry maker creates wearable art
By LINDA M. LINONIS
boardman
Steven A. Dailey describes the jewelry he creates as “wearable art.”
He puts every natural gemstone, bead, pearl, shell, crystal and glass piece in place with creativity and patience. “Every design is one-of-a-kind,” he said.
Dailey is self-taught in jewelry-making; he has an associate degree in merchandising and design.
Physical challenges play a role in his endeavor. He was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that occurs when a baby is in the womb and the spinal column does not completely close. At 43, he underwent back surgery and became permanently disabled. He sometimes uses a wheelchair or a cane because he has nerve damage and chronic pain.
Dailey said the process of making jewelry benefits him in a therapeutic way. “It gets me out of my head,” he said, noting that having chronic pain often leads to depression. The jewelry-making is an outlet that puts his creativity to use and focuses his attention. “I work on jewelry four to five hours a day,” he said.
He first made jewelry for family and friends, who encouraged him to sell his unique items. “This started as a hobby,” he said of the project that began about 14 years ago.
Dailey had resided in Oregon, but in 2009, he returned to the Mahoning Valley where his mother, Gloria Delost, lives. While on the West Coast, he was “heavily involved” in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and made charm bracelets to sell at fundraisers. His grandmother and an aunt had died of cancer, and it was his way of paying tribute to them.
He credited his mother for naming his business, Jewelry by Stevieboy.
“It’s a childhood nickname that my Mom called me,” Dailey said. When he was tossing around names for his business, his mother suggested Stevieboy and it was catchy. “She helps me at shows,” Dailey said.
Dailey said he has “developed a following” of customers who attend the 10 or so fall, holiday and spring craft shows he participates in. Others check out his inventory online through the www.artfire.com website, at Valley craft shows and at private showings. The profits supplement his Social Security income.
Dailey said the ideas for jewelry designs seem to evolve from the materials and colors. “I have a flair for putting it together,” he said.
The jewelry-maker said he likes to use natural gemstones such as jasper, amethyst, lapis, quartz, agate and carnelian. “I like the gemstones because of their metaphysical properties,” Dailey said. “Each has a property associated with it. .... Rose quartz is romance, turquoise is a bridge between heaven and earth, quartz is healing, peridot is healing and comfort.”
Some necklaces go together quickly, in 15 minutes or so, while others, such as stringing individual beads, take a week. Some have added touches such as pendants, tassels, crosses and cameos. Dailey also makes custom-order pieces; no design is repeated.
“This is more of an art form than a craft. It makes me feel proud when people compliment me about the uniqueness,” he said.