About Nancy Faye Designs
Nancy Faye Designs (aka, Urban Afrique) began in 1993. Before a trip to West Africa (Senegal, The Gambia, and The Ivory Coast) with the San Francisco/Abidjan Sister City Committee, I dreamt about amber and trade beads. While there, I zeroed in on both and purchased many beautiful beads.
Upon returning, I began to make necklaces incorporating these two items. These necklaces became a first signature style. The trade beads, amber, turquoise, and precious and semi-precious stones that I come to use combine to create unique pieces that radiate beauty, history, and power. Since then, wherever I travel: Africa, Mexico, Bali, Morocco, Tucson, etc., I look for unique beads and pendants, all of which find their way into my jewelry.
Bead Soup is another signature style. In my haste one day, I dropped a tray of beads. After I swept them up and uttered a string of words I won't write here, I threw them in a satin pouch. Once I cooled off, a voice told me to randomly reach into the pouch and string whatever I pulled out. Since 1995, this technique has created unique necklaces and chokers that burst with colors, shapes, and textures.
As you peruse my site and designs, you'll see a play with styles, colors, textures, and shapes. Rarely will you find two of the same, perhaps similar, but not the same, because I've learned that no two natural stones are exactly the same size or shape. The exceptions might be in the Earrings Collection, otherwise, each piece is unique.
For about 10 years I sold my jewelry in the MOAD gift shop in San Francisco. I've been a vendor at Art'n'Soul in Oakland, Temescal Street Festival, Treasure Fest, Laurel Street Festival, Art on the Square in San Mateo, Jack London Square, LakeFest, Something For Everyone, Linen Life Gallery, EOPS Conference, APAHE Conference, NABSE Conference, The Black Eyed Pea Festival, Bay Area BBQ Cookoff & Music Festival, Black Joy Parade Art Walk, Montclair Wine Festival, and the Oakland African American Black Chamber of Commerce's Black Sunday.