Biography: Maria Stashak

Maria has been creating reproduction Edwardian and Victorian Austrian crystal jewelry since 1987.

She is a graduate of Syracuse University School of Law as a patent/copyright paralegal. However, at the age of 10 it was the discovery of a strand of vintage Swarovski beads rescued from her father’s fishing tackle box that mesmerized her. She collected beads from that day forward.

From her home studio in Occidental, California, she realized that her natural fascination with colour and passion for distinctive jewelry of the past, was something she needed to share with others who were looking for collectible, wearable artwork. She was soon discovered by Laurel Burch® sales representatives at a Santa Rosa jewelry boutique. This encounter and their subsequent support led her to show at international gift and trade shows in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas.

Maria is the first original, copy-written jewelry designer to use vintage un-circulated Swarovski® crystal in combination with Tierracast® gold, copper and rhodium metal findings. Occasionally, she will incorporate antique Czechoslovakian crystal. Her jewelry line has become more extensive and sought-after when she discovered several coveted, hidden Austrian crystal caches scattered throughout the United States and Europe.

The spiritual, inspirational help from such jewelry icons as Allen Owen®, Laurel Burch® and Holly Yashi® has catapulted Maria to the top of the upper-bridge jewelry market. Maria’s work is celebrated throughout the United States and has helped launch a secondary line called “La Maestra©” featuring both genuine Venetian glass and Swarovski© beads. 

Ask for Maria Stashak, LTD® and La Maestra© at your favorite jewelry boutique or gallery. Register to enter her website or give us a call and a sales account executive will be happy to help you!