Jeweler brings his talent to Bethany Beach

While the local food movement can help eaters connect with farmers, what about everything else people buy? What about the rings on your fingers or the bracelets on your wrists? Have you ever wondered where they came from and what their story is?

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Jeweler Javier Baron will show his double-sided jewelry at the Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Javier Baron takes his jewelry business, Exclusives, on the road regularly, participating in between 25 and 30 shows annually. This year will be his first stop in Bethany Beach, when he takes part in the 34th annual Boardwalk Arts Festival, to be held the weekend after Labor Day. And those who want to know the story behind his jewels can just ask.

“We own our own mine,” explained Baron, who is originally from Columbia and now lives in St. Augustine, Fla. He got his start about 15 years ago, learning the ropes of hand-crafting jewelry.

“My brother-in-law bought a mine in the Andes, and he does all my stone work. He takes it all back to Lima, [Peru], and cuts them special for my jewelry. I do all the settings. It is all hand-crafted, hands-soldered jewelry. He taught me how to do everything from scratch — to make all the components.”

Barson said he likes to use the most popular stones that people enjoy, such as turquoise, lapis lazuli (a navy blue stone), Andean opal (which he said is “everybody’s favorite”), jade, mother of pearl and spiny oyster, which has a red shell-type look.
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A new feature of much of his work, including rings, pendants and bracelets, is that the pieces are double-sided, which can be both economical and fun for the buyer.

“They can flip the piece and have another color of stone,” explained Baron. He said creating the pieces that way makes it a better buy for him and for his customers.

In addition, Baron uses nickel-free sterling silver and refines it so it is .950, or 95 percent pure.

Although this is his first time in Bethany Beach for the show, he has done shows in nearby Maryland and around the country. He said he is looking forward to showing off his creations this September.

“I can’t wait to see everybody at the show!”

The Boardwalk Arts Festival, now in its 34th year, attracts more than 100 skilled artisans and more than 7,500 visitors annually It is organized by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and is held on the boardwalk and street ends in downtown Bethany Beach the first Saturday after Labor Day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During the show, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the bandstand area will host a silent auction, sponsored by Mediacom-Residential Services, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the art programs at four local elementary schools.

For more information, visit www.bethany-fenwick.org online.