Meet Naomi Sarna: Gem Carver and Jewelry Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Naomi Sarna and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Naomi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My earliest memory was working with my hands. It wasn’t the animal I was making that was important; it was the process of creation. That love of process has guided me my entire life, whether I was an artist, chef, psychoanalyst, hypnotist, writer. The act of creation has been the same for me. Sometimes terribly difficult, sometimes wonderfully successful. I was born with the need to move my hands. I’m a master at knitting and most other yarn arts, all forms of embroidery etc. I become uncomfortable if I’m not using my hands in a creative way. I can’t help myself!! 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been around!! Consultant to the U S Dept of Agriculture when I successfully presented American Natural Foods to the European Market in Paris Winning 23 American Gem Trade Association awards which led to my jewels being up on the Jumbotron in Times Square Winning two medals in China at the Ze Gang Bei Jade Carving Competition in Suzhou, China A great honor for an American woman. My times in Tanzania when I taught Maasai women to make jewelry which eventually sold at the Smithsonian Instiitution I like to master difficult things. Doesn’t matter what it is, as long as there is a way to learn and get better at it. I am the ideal student; people love to teach me because I have to strength to persist. I recently talked a tai chi master to take me on as a student. He asked if he was too hard on me. I said he was a lightweight compared to my jewelry master who taught me to make it better, better while screaming and yelling at me. You have to want to learn and get better if you want to master something challenging. Mistakes, failures, they are a part of the process. Learning and mastering is the goal, not the end product.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Michael Rockefeller Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art A beautiful walk in Central Park Masseria Dei Vini for truffeled linguini Taverna Kycladies in Astoria for Greek fish, and then a walk to Titan, the Greek supermarket for olives and Bulgarian feta A long train ride to Sheepshead Bay to Randazzos for soft shell crabs and fish soup The Frick Museum Anything at Lincoln Center, but especially the Metropolitan Opera

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The New York Public Library is my personal treasure. Millions of people have been able to access books and other media of all types, for FREE!!!! I have them in my will. To me, they are the beating heart of intelligent New York.

Website: naomisarna.com
Instagram: naomisarnadesigns
Facebook: Naomi Sarna Art Jewels
Youtube: naomi sarna YouTube

Image Credits
AntFarm personal photo Hardy Klathold