About Me

Jewelry     Photography     Crafts

Intro

Art and nature have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. Over time, that fascination has quietly grown into the foundation of who I am today. Sometimes I wonder if the path I’ve taken was the “right” one—but I’ve come to realize there isn’t just one right way to live or create. A better question is: Am I happy with how I’ve grown as an artist and as a person? While I still have much to learn, I truly am. Life doesn’t always unfold the way we expect, but we can choose how we respond to its challenges. Right now, this is my life: I create jewelry, I explore photography, and I have a deep love for wilderness survival and the primitive skills that connect us to the earth. Through my work, I hope to share pieces of myself—reflections of the choices I make and the life I continue to build.

Getting to know Dana Arts

Jewelry

With 29 years of experience in silversmithing, I have dedicated my craft to creating jewelry that blends traditional techniques with contemporary design. Originally from USA, I studied silversmithing in Vientiane, Laos, where I learned from local artisans who have preserved their craft through generations. In Laos, silver jewelry is crafted using methods such as filigree, chasing, embossing, and granulation, often employing simple tools like hammers, punches, and charcoal for heating .

Today, I continue to practice and evolve my craft, producing jewelry that blends traditional methods with contemporary aesthetics, offering unique and meaningful creations to my clients. In recent years, I've embraced Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to expand my creative horizons. This digital tool allows me to visualize and refine my designs with precision before crafting them by hand. By combining traditional silversmithing techniques with modern CAD technology, I can create timeless pieces that one can cherish while appreciating the work that has gone into making such finely crafted art.

Photography

Photography is another passion of mine—one that has grown beyond a casual hobby thanks to his natural eye for design. I enjoy capturing moments in time with a distinct and creative style, turning everyday scenes into striking visual stories. Whether it’s a landscape, an object, or something that simply catches my eye, I find beauty in a wide range of subjects. Beyond the lens, I also enjoy enhancing images and creating imaginative compositions using masking techniques in Photoshop. My process blends both artistic vision and technical skill, allowing me to produce polished, compelling photographs that are both expressive and refined.

Crafts

Crafting has been a lifelong pursuit of mine. Creating with my hands has not only brought me joy but also helped me develop the skills to turn simple materials into meaningful works of art. I enjoy working with leather, clay, and a variety of other natural materials, often drawing inspiration directly from nature. Many of my projects are time-intensive and made purely for the love of the process, which means they’re often not available for sale. However, select pieces will be listed in the craft section of this site. If you're interested in a specific project or would like to inquire about a custom piece, feel free to reach out—I’m always open to exploring new ideas.

Jewelry     Photography     Crafts Intro