Back in the day, JacQueline's boyfriend was an ardent Grateful Dead fan and enticed her to travel with him around the country to see the band play. To pass the time while on the road, she took up making “dancing bear” earrings from sheet silver. Quickly hooked, she found herself selling every pair of earrings as fast as she could make them and saved her profits for college. Eventually, she studied at the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology where she learned the fundamentals of jewelry design, fabrication, and stone setting.
Today, over two decades later, JacQueline continues to handcraft playful, elegant and wearable modern art jewelry using artisanal methods. Each piece is created with a passion for design and the highest standards in craftsmanship and durability. JacQueline has since recieved an achievement award from the American Craft Council and her signature Forever Young collection continues to win numerous awards and accolades.
For the past 18 years, working with LEGO® bricks has been a big part of her work. She sands, cuts, drills, and sandblasts each LEGO® jewelry piece and sets them in sterling silver and 18K gold. LEGO® represents fond memories for many people so she tries to honor the playful aspects in her Forever Young collection, whether it be a simple dot charm or a classic square necklace inset with a diamond. While her colorful jewelry appeals to people of all ages, genders, and lifestyles, she has created a more neutral palette in Portland Skies. This collection symbolizes the dark rain clouds synonymous with Portland, always followed with the refreshed, cleansed beauty of the city.
Prior to launching her business, JacQueline worked as a bench jeweler for over 10 years, performing all aspects of jewelry repair, stone setting, and fabrication. She has extensive experience in working with platinum and creating custom work. She continues to refine her craft and technique.
She currently lives and creates in Portland, Oregon. Along with her designs, she continues to create custom pieces for clients in platinum and gold with diamonds and colored stones. She is highly trained and dedicated to the field of metalsmithing. Don't let her love of the LEGO® brick fool you... she has learned to play with technical precision!