About Us
Mona & Alex
SZABADOS
Enamelist and Jeweler, have been working together for 45 years. Mona has been enameling for 42 years. Mona was born in Norway and Alex is Hungarian. They met in Spain and have worked together ever since. As a member of Enamel Guild South, Mona was inspired by Francesc Vilasis-Capalleja’s enamels “New Grisaille” method, which had a profound impact on her work. The technique was ideally suited for bringing her images to life. Alex does all of the exquisite metalwork for each piece.
Building on a copper base, Mona uses gold and silver foil, as well as granulation to add detail, flow and dimension to her work. The images are usually of beautiful women and wild creatures, possibly inspired by fairy tales of her Norwegian youth. Their penetrating eyes project a feeling of serenity. The faces are done with a finely ground impasto white that is built up in many layers, over transparent shades. Facial features are added with painting enamel oxides. These exquisite works can be fired as many as 20-40 times.
Alex’s exquisite metalwork design uniquely compliments each enamel. Settings, accent gems, and findings all continue the impact of the piece. Most of the enamels are reversible. Many of their customers can’t decide which side to wear “up”. Both sides are equally beautiful.
Alex and Mona have won numerous awards and are included in several publications.There were wonderful articles in Glass on Metal and Ornament Magazine, where one of their beautiful enamels graced the front cover.
Alex and MonA have won numerous awards in the course of their adventureS in Enamel.
1994 Best of Show “The Art of Fire” Miami, Florida
1997 Best of Show “The Art of Enameling” Art and Culture Center, Hollywood Florida
2000 Best of Show “Boston Mills Art Festival” Penninsula, Ohio
Recently, 2012 Best of Show “La Quinta Art Festival”
Featured in the following books:
2002 “Enameling with Professionals” by Lillian Bachrach
2003 “Art Jewelry Today” by Donna Meilach
2006 “Contemporary Enameling” ( front cover)by Lillian BachrachFeatured in the following publications:
Spring 1998 “Ornament” magazine, Featured Artist
1994, 1997, plus front cover 2001 “Glass on Metal”
Summer 2005 “Ornament” magazine front cover
Spring 1998 “Ornament” magazine, Featured Artist
September 2010 “Lapidary Journal” magazine, Jewelry Artist