Jewelry is Art for Owen Sweet Designs

Growing up in South Africa, Owen Sweet says that he always had an eye for creative expression. "I was always very artistic as a kid," Sweet said. "I was taught from the ground up."

From scratch, Sweet was educated on the art form of jewlery making. He took in tools that would one day ensure his success. At one point, a mentor took note of his natural ability and told Sweet, "you'd be a great jewelry designer, why don't you go to college and study it?"

Sweet took the advice and studied goldsmithing at Victoria University in Australia. He apprenticed in Europe for five years and grew his knowledge even further.

When Sweet reached the U.S., he says that landing in Florida was simply a "fluke." Friends of friends from South Africa to Florida bridged the gap between Sweet and his future home. 

Indian Rocks played host to Sweet's first job in the U.S. as a jewelery designer. The gig went sour, but Sweet said that he moved on with ease. He ended up blacksmithing for Evander Preston on Pass-A-Grille for 10 years.

From there, Sweet set out on a solo mission in 1990. He has been designing, producing and selling ever since. Sweet is now set up on North Redington Beach.

What separates Sweet from other jewelers is the fact that he creates just about everything he sells. "There are very few artists left that actually make jewelry in their studio," said Sweet.

Located on North Redington Beach at 16701 Gulf Blvd, Owen Sweet sells his own designs along with select pieces from around the globe. Most items range between $50-$500, but the overall pricing is $25-$150,000.

For Sweet, jewelry design is just as much pleasure as it is business.

"My passion is to make people happy who shop in my gallery," said Sweet.