Local Artist Designs Jewelry for Celebrity Royalty

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Ashley Klann, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

A Central Mass. artist designs jewelry for celebrities including actors attending from the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. Her work is now going to the MTV Music Awards, and her upbringing and education here shaped her mindset as an artist.

Christine Lorenzo aka SariBlue is bringing new life to old designs, and her work will be featured this weekend on the wrists and ears of MTV’s biggest celebs at the GBK Luxury Lounge before this year’s Video Music Awards. Stars including Tyra Banks, Drew Barrymoore, and Ryan Gosling have all worn Sari’s work.

“GBK is the best known luxury lounge group. Celebrities go and hang out the weekend before the event and get gifts and try products. That’s where my jewelry will be presented, and each celebrity who attends will get a piece,” Lorenzo said. She’s a part of The Artisan Group, a collection of artists who are chosen to be featured for the stars. “You have to be sought after and accepted, and there are tons of opportunities.”

An Evil Eye

While Lorenzo’s major cultural influence, the Evil Eye, might sound negative, it’s brought her exactly what ancient cultures have regarded it for – luck.

“The key thing in my jewelry is the use of the Evil Eye which is a really old, well-founded, historic theory rooted in the Mediterranean. The bead or jewelry that you adorn yourself with the eye is meant as good luck or protection,” she said. “I’m really interested in it and the meaning and history. Many artists use it and my whole focus has been around this element and the beauty behind the story of the Evil Eye.”

While this old influence is marked by time and tradition, Lorenzo has been happy to bring a renewed sense of life to this old symbol.

“I use handmade jewelry from glass makers who have learned the craft through generations in their families. They make it with the most antique tools, by hand. All of them are really unique,” she said. “I use a lot of sterling and copper and a variety of mediums. A lot of people really believe in that history. I like really big chunky beaded bracelets, but I can also make really refined pieces. It’s sort of taken off in a variety of directions. I’ve done pieces for families and couples too.”

Local Past

As a Clark University graduate and resident of Stow, Lorenzo sees her past and upbringing as a major influence on her vision as an artist.

“It’s sort of funny – the past that you have. When I graduated, it was like it is now. There weren’t many jobs. I did non-profit work, and then when the market picked back up, I worked in human resources,” she said. “I’ve had some great high-level jobs and have been successful, and it’s been great, but there was always something missing.”

Lorenzo said that while this success brought her happiness, she always wanted to run her own company and go after her own passions – a lesson she received from the Bay State.

“I like small companies. Massachusetts and the foundation I got here – people have that drive here. They’re salt of the earth people. I’ve traveled everywhere in the country and many places around the world. I love traveling, but here in this part of the state, people are hard workers,” she said. “We work, and that’s what I’ve always done. Even though I’m doing something artful, I’m working so hard. Going to Clark, being in this part of the state, and the international student body I learned with really encouraged me to start looking at the rest of the universe with this mindset.”

Closet Film Geek

Lorenzo says that one of the highlights of her work has been the thrill of seeing movie stars wearing her work.

“At the Golden Globes, Jeremy Irons had one of my pendants and that was so thrilling. I’m really big into movies and music. I’m a closet film geek,” she said with a laugh. While MTV might not offer the same group of big screen names, Lorenzo is still excited at the chance for some of her favorite names to sport her work.

“For this event, the crossover between music and film is so exciting. I’m hoping a lot of the music industry people will come through. We don’t have a list yet of invites, but I really like Christina Perri. I have this dream that she’ll come through and really like my stuff,” she said with a laugh.