Shaya was born in Oakland, California and is a second generation jeweler. After receiving formal education in fine arts in Maine, Italy and Chicago, she moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area where she has been professionally designing and crafting jewelry for over a decade.

From designing and hand making each piece to showcasing her work at art shows, Shaya takes pride in being the sole actor in every aspect of her craft. Her work balances distinct, strong, sculptural forms with the delicacy and color of exquisite gems. At the heart of her designs is a subtle sensibility and an evident appreciation of jewelry both as an object and an emblem of embellishment and joy.  This results in a meticulous attention to detail and a level of care and passion reflected in her jewelry. All her work is made by hand in her Berkeley studio from recycled metals and with an emphasis on ethically sourced and local stones.