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Yellow Door Team

Meet Dana Tamai


Dana is the visionary behind Mary Alice Silver, she upcycles silverware into jewelry that feels both vintage and modern.

"I have always loved beautiful things and trying to make the. I have sewn since childhood and I have made everything you can think of; I also embroider, make beaded jewelry, put song lyrics on t-shirts, do papercraft and make lip balm. I enjoy going to art fairs and recently realized that making a cool product and having a booth somewhere was my dream job. I found silverware jewelry and here I am, with my dream come true."

Why did you choose to partner with Yello Door to sell your artwork?

Yellow Door has such varied, high-quality work and lovely displays, and of course it showcases Michigan artists and is in the adorable city of Berkley.


How long have you been creating your artwork?

I have been making silverware jewelry for less than a year, I started during the pandemic. I learned to make beaded jewelry many years ago but stopped when I had kids.


What makes your artwork unique or distinctive?

There are many silverware artists out there but my work tends to have simpler lines. I also embrace the scratches, dents, worn spots, and tarnish as a part of the beauty of the piece it helps tell a story. I don't tumble my pieces or polish them too much.

What inspired your to start creating your artwork and how did you turn it into a business?

I was inspired by the beautiful family silverware that I inherited after my grandmother passed away. I got a lot of positive feedback on it from friends and through the magic of social media, I was able to set up a shop online.


What do you most love about the creative process?

I love that feeling when an idea pops into my head and I can't wait to go and execute it.


What do you least love about the business side of creating and selling art?

It's so new that I find it all fun and exciting but I don't love packing up and mailing products.


What do you enjoy doing besides making art?

I like to hang out with my family, cook, run, garden and sew.


What are some of your favorite reads?

I love to read fiction, I particularly enjoy John Irving and Margaret Atwood.


Quotes you love or live by:

What I am is what I am and I does what I does - Fiona Apple


You can find more from Dana and Mary Alice Silver online HERE or at Yellow Door Art Market.

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