Chama Navarro

Jewellery maker

©Rosa Navarro

Miniature glass fantasy jewellery

Chama won the 2020 DOR Museum award at Joya Barcelona
She showcases her jewellery in museum shops in the USA and Europe
Her corporate background has been key to the success of her craft business

Chama Navarro’s vitreous creations are a spellbinding fantasy to wear. An artist at heart, she opted for a career in economics, marketing and IT, but realigned with her true passions during a two-year sabbatical. Chama took glass and jewellery courses at Studio Squina and Lalabeyou in Madrid in 2005, never to return to corporate life again. Since then, she has been working with precious metals, glass, paper and sustainable materials. Her hallmark style lies in the delicate art of lampwork and kiln fusing, meticulously crafting beaded Murano glass into miniature oneiric cosmos pieces and crystal globes. Her contemporary jewellery is exhibited in museum shops in Europe and the USA and boutique stores. Chama also makes bespoke commissions for other brands.

Interview

©Rosa Navarro

©Rosa Navarro

What captivated you about glasswork and jewellery?: Working with glass is always a magical process of discovery as the fire reveals form and colour. There is always surprise in the final result. The material in movement relaxes me. I enter a meditative state which leaves me ecstatic.
Where do you draw inspiration from?: My creative drive comes from being very analytical, sensitive and critical. I try to convey a message using aesthetics as a powerful medium. My themes relate to sustainability: nature, environmental and social issues and design movements like Bauhaus. The Terra collection, inspired by climate change, exemplifies this.
How do you apply your corporate experience and IT knowledge to your craft business?: My work is governed by iteration and planification. I have a clear making process which is an advantage for high volume production. As an IT and digital savvy, I have been able to market my work on social platforms and develop my own blog.
What has been your experience of transmitting your knowledge as an artisan?: I started teaching monographic courses when I opened my workshop in 2008. I currently mentor an average of two internship students from Escuela de Arte 3 annually. I have been doing this since 2018. I teach them metal jewellery techniques, microfusion, wax carving and casting.

Chama Navarro is a master artisan: she began her career in 2008 and she started teaching in 2008