Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

Pieces from Megan Allison are usually centred around metals like brass, bronze and copper along with glass beads and semi-precious stones. These earrings and necklace are one example.

Megan McKAin, a 22-year-old jewellery designer, makes her bold imprint with jewellery.

The pieces go beyond simply accentuating an outfit, they make it soar.

Using a combination of copper, brass, bronze, sterling silver, polyurethane, glass beads and semi-precious stones, she creates the exotic items which grace our pages this week.

The processes she uses include soldering, roller printing, doming and hammering, among others.

We stumbled upon the young artist when she invited Flair to take a look at her designs, and we were pleasantly surprised.

The final-year jewellery major at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts said she originally wanted to do fashion design. She was pleasantly surprised when she got to school and realised that the area did not just entail textiles. Encouraged by her teachers to focus on jewellery design, she plunged in. However, initially she was not very good at it. It was at her work outside of class where she developed a love for the speciality.

"I actually just started by making one earring," she said. She officially started her line, Megan Allison Accessories, in 2005.

Theresa Stewart, an art collector and loyal customer, enjoys wearing the jewellery.

"When I saw her work it was among the best," said Miss Stewart, who collects jewellery from the African continent, India, Afghanistan, Nepal and Thailand. She enjoys authentic ethnic pieces.

At present our cover girl is working on her final exhibition for college. She will also be showcasing her pieces at the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.

The items are available at the National Gallery of Jamaica gift shop and Casa De Xaymaca in the Norman Manley International Airport. She may also be contacted at 425-6842 or meganallisonjamaica@yahoo.com.

Theresa Stewart (left) and Megan McKain show off two of the bold pieces from the Meagan Allison line. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer