We recently connected with Sara Zagar and have shared our conversation below.
Sara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I first started dabbling in metalsmithing during my time at Appalachian State University when I was earning my BFA in Studio Arts. I’ve always had an interest in sterling silver jewelry and thought trying out a metals course would be a great starting point to see if the craft meshed with my artistic abilities. At that time, I quickly realized the conceptual side of metalsmithing was not up my alley & I would put a pin in the craft. Post graduation I found myself still dying to learn more skills with metalworking. With a quick Google search I found Art in the Dairy on the west side of Charlotte. Dan Haga, the resident silversmith became a quick mentor to me as I began taking classes with him to test what I learned while in my BFA program as well as build more skills in a one on one setting. Having Dan, the studio space he rented & the time to get back to the basics was pivotal for me in developing Woodleaf Studios. I will be forever grateful for Dan & that time that allowed me to slowly build my own studio, tool base & knowledge while still creating.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Sara Zagar & I’m the one woman show behind Woodleaf Studios. Currently, I work out of a home studio in the east side of Charlotte creating sterling silver jewelry with semi-precious stones. Silversmithing for me feels like the perfect step in the evolution of my artistic career. My mom has had a huge impact on how I got to where I am today- her interest in gemstones & sterling silver jewelry rubbed off on me pretty quickly growing up. Always being the kid that had to have my hands busy making something, I’m very proud to be able to say I now create one of a kind jewelry that people can pass down for generations.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a silversmith is when a piece I’ve created goes to the perfect person. As an artist you put so much time, effort, love, blood, sweet & tears into creating- it’s an interesting feeling to be able to “let it go.” Going to a market to display my work often leaves me feeling anxious about the world seeing “my babies,” but the moment someone’s eyes light up at the sight of your work or that perfect piece they have to have, it all subsides and makes it all worth it.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
In 2018 Corkie Bolton created The Metalsmith Society which has been a safe haven for smiths since! This is a community space based through social media that is for metalworkers to share tips, tricks, resources & anything else you can think of. The Metalsmith Society is a space that I still go back to today when I have questions & would have been a huge game changer in my early days of learning silversmithing. It’s been great throughout the pandemic to really see the community that silversmithing has to offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://woodleafstudios.square.site
- Instagram: @woodleafstudios