Despina Buoncristiani

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Despina Buoncristiani Handcrafted One-of-a-Kind and Limited Edition Jewelry made in the U.S.A. Even back then, I loved unique jewelry...one-of-a-kind jewelry.

I am a California native, and have been intrigued with jewelry making since I was a teenager, taking apart necklaces and creating new ones with the vintage beads. I started to pursue this creative outlet as a side business beginning in the early 90’s, creating beaded jewelry, playing with unique color and bead combinations, along with sterling accents. My pieces have definitely evolved. I am currently working with metals... mixing sterling, brass, copper, and steel. Adding texture, by hammering, with my rolling mill, or etching, and altering the color of the metal by torching, patinating, hand painting, enameling or antiquing. My beading background has now become the pop of color that I add to some of my designs. I don't normally have a plan of action when I sit down at my work table...some of my best ideas have come to me as I lay in bed. I never know where my next inspiration will come from...I have even transformed scrap metal pieces into some of my best designs!

UPDATE: 2 SPOTS LEFT!!!Coming up this Friday, October 9th…a few spots left…
10/06/2026

UPDATE: 2 SPOTS LEFT!!!

Coming up this Friday, October 9th…a few spots left…

I hope you can join me on Friday, October 9th at the Maloof!

I hope you can join me on Friday, October 9th at the Maloof!
09/28/2026

I hope you can join me on Friday, October 9th at the Maloof!

Here is the latest woven wall hanging I am working on. I screwed up and didn’t wrap my warp (thread vertical guides) aro...
09/24/2026

Here is the latest woven wall hanging I am working on. I screwed up and didn’t wrap my warp (thread vertical guides) around the frame, and instead wrapped them around the pegs. Wrapping it around the pegs would have been ok if I didn’t use the entire length of the frame. I need to attach some more warp to the ends so I can wrap it around my drift wood. I should be able to do it in such a way where it will become a design element. I’m thinking about staining my driftwood. I think the deeper, richer colors of yarn I used call for it. I tried to get away from my normal color palette, and am very happy with the results. I used several of the artisanal yarns that I purchased. They add so much to the piece. This piece is a little larger than my previous two. I purchased a couple more frames in sizes that are in between my smallest frame and my larger tabletop frame.

She’s finished! Very happy with the results. Will show the final results once installed to the table…
08/16/2026

She’s finished! Very happy with the results. Will show the final results once installed to the table…

A whole lot of hammering/punching going on. And this is just the first shape! 🤪🤪🤪
08/11/2026

A whole lot of hammering/punching going on. And this is just the first shape! 🤪🤪🤪

Today I started on the background color in class. The tiles I am using are already precut, so it’s kind of like a puzzle...
08/10/2026

Today I started on the background color in class. The tiles I am using are already precut, so it’s kind of like a puzzle putting them together. I’m adding some round iridescent colored glass tiles to add a bit of interest to the background. Need to have all the background done by next week so it is ready for grouting. My teacher suggested possibly going with a lighter grout on the body to differentiate the colors a bit more since the tiles are dark. I may attempt to do that at home so that it is all dry for the main grouting. Can’t wait to see how it looks when the grout is all in!

08/08/2026

Lots of prep goes into teaching a class. Today I am punching brass and copper sheet in a variety of shapes and sizes for my upcoming Contemporary Mixed Metal Soldered Earring class at the Maloof Center on Saturday, August 15th from 10a-3p. You will be creating 3 pairs of earrings. Spots still available. You can sign up at malooffoundation.org under “Take a Workshop”. Members $150, Non-Members $165. Hope to see you there!

She is ready to bond to the backer board! A tedious process (of course that’s my own fault for creating something so int...
08/06/2026

She is ready to bond to the backer board! A tedious process (of course that’s my own fault for creating something so intricate for my first project)…🤪🤪🤪 Once that is done, then I have to determine what background color I want to go with. Will have more insight after my class this week.

The body has been assembled. Changed 3 of the tile colors to green. Still waiting for my shipment to arrive before I com...
08/06/2026

The body has been assembled. Changed 3 of the tile colors to green. Still waiting for my shipment to arrive before I complete the wing assembly. Going to begin bonding the body into place.

A bit more progress. Waiting for a couple more tiles to show up that I purchased to see if I want to include them in the...
08/05/2026

A bit more progress. Waiting for a couple more tiles to show up that I purchased to see if I want to include them in the wings. Hoping to start bonding some of the pieces down tonight.

Address

P. O. Box 1608
Glendora, CA
91740

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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