Jewelry handmade to order by Jess in Los Angeles, California.

About Jess

My love for jewelry began at 12, when I wandered into a family friend’s bead shop in Portland, Oregon. I was instantly captivated by the colors, textures, and the joy of making something with my hands. My mom always encouraged creativity—she preferred a handmade gift over anything store-bought—and that encouragement shaped the beginning of my journey.

Creativity runs deep in my family. My grandmother Sally was a ceramicist who taught us to express ourselves through clay in her Chapel Hill studio. My grandfather Art, a painter, sent hand-drawn birthday cards well into his 90s. On my mother’s side, my grandfather Bob handcrafted rings, bracelets, and walking sticks inspired by Native American culture. Their creativity helped form my belief that art is both a form of expression and a meditation.

In college, I started selling jewelry as a side hustle. By 2014, I launched my first business, JessieMetal, selling online and in San Francisco boutiques. I later pressed pause to deepen my craft—committing to learning how to make each piece fully by hand.

Process and Inspiration

I design and handcraft each piece in wax, then have it cast in metal and finish everything myself in my Silver Lake home studio.

My inspiration is rooted in contrasts: nature and brutalist architecture, clean lines and organic forms, art and the people around me. I started with bold, chunky signet rings—pieces that made me feel confident and bold, especially stacked in unexpected combinations.

As my style evolved, I began working with softer, more fluid forms—mud, clay, and earth shapes became the foundation for my signature “wonky” rings. These imperfect, organic designs quickly became favorites among friends.

Now, I’m moving into a new chapter—incorporating precious and semi-precious stones into timeless designs that feel personal and lasting. I’m drawn to creating objects that age with you, carry meaning, and can even be recycled into something new down the line.

Philosophy

I believe in thoughtful creation, minimalism, and treating the earth with care. In a world of fast fashion and disposable goods, I aim to create jewelry that takes time and lasts a lifetime—pieces you feel connected to and proud to wear.

If you have an idea you’d like to bring to life, I’d love to collaborate on something that feels uniquely yours.