As seen in St. Petersburg Times' Bay Magazine

April 10, 2011 by Mary Jane Park

Jewelry maker Lea Davis creates "statement pieces" from turquoise, amber, shells, bone, coral and other beads in the small workshop in her home in Tampa.

She found fabulous hand-hammered silver earrings in a Santa Fe art gallery and then began the hunt for a necklace that would compliment them.

Lea Davis was not able to find the very thing she desired, so she turned to the Internet to seek out the tiny red glass, African white heart trade beads she wanted, then took them to Tampa's Beads! for instruction in jewelry design.

Thus began yet another vocation for the onetime art student who had retired from a public relations and advertising career and now teaches English as a second language through a Berlitz school in a joint venture with the University of Tampa, her alma mater.

Davis launched Lea Veronica Designs in 1999, drawing inspiration, she says, from the Middle East, Greece and Africa. She and husband Stanley have visited nearly 80 countries.

"I'm inspired by culture," she says. "I love to travel."

Her dramatic designs are crafted from a variety of materials: coral, turquoise, lapis, Tibetan amber, ancient Pakistani coins, mother of pearl, polished abalone shells, bone. Often, they have irregular shapes, as does a stunning pale blue agate collar she constructed.

"I try to create drama. You can find ordinary anywhere. I try to create statement necklaces for people."

For an Opera Tampa event several weeks ago (Davis is founding chairwoman of the Opera Tampa League and tries to attend performances at the New York's Metropolitan Opera at least once a year), she developed a red and black coral necklace and earrings set to accessorize her stunning strapless red satin dress.

"I do make more earrings for sets than standalone," she says.

It is not unusual, Davis says, for one of her pieces to find a client, rather than the other way around.

"I have sold necklaces right off my neck," she says. "Many times."

Her collections include an opera series dedicated to sopranos Renee Fleming and Renata Scotto; a college series, into which she incorporates school colors; and a Red Cross series, some proceeds of which go to the relief organization.

She also offers custom design work and showcases her creations through trunk shows, boutiques, craft shows and parties.

Website: LeaVeronica.com; (813) 310-8585.