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Dory Brown's work includes most techniques of metalsmithing, including raising and sinking, casting, and a broad variety of fabrication methods. These techniques include 5000-year-old Egyptian chainmaille as well as native thought and symbols that endure still. Her signature is a spiral include in each jewelry design.

Dory is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the Carolina Designer Guild, and Piedmont Craftsmen Guild. She also teaches at John C. Campbell and Arrowmont, passing on information gifts of her own.  She won the Southern Highlands Limited Edition "Ornament of the Year" in 2000 and her work has been part of the ACC Spotlight Expo.  Her goal is to be part of the continuing independent, 21st century Appalachian, handmade American lifestyle - handmade throughout!

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Nancy Fleming creates one-of-a-kind handmade sculptures to wear using mixed metals, gemstones and collected objects. Her collaged jewelry is constructed of sterling silver accentuated with gold, bronze, copper and steel. Nancy studied metalsmithing at Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Crafts, and the John C. Campbell Folk School. She is a member of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild.

"My work represents the influence of emotion and spirit upon our lives. Every piece is a narrative, affected by memories, beliefs, and dreams. Metal is the language I use to tell my story. My approach to wearable sculpture is inspired by the history of adornment as symbolic and significant. Drawing from this rich history, I explore themes of romance, strength, and self-empowerment from a contemporary point of view."

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Tim Garvin is an MFA trained artist with over 30 years experience in ceramics. The extreme detail and intense color in his work result from the use of over 500 different colors of clays in a technique known as the milifiori (thousand flowers) technique and the decorations on the silver are made from his detailed drawings etched into the metal.

"I look at the world in detail, noticing intricacies, contrast, and rhythms of color to find and elaborate design. I then create my jewelry using numerous ceramic technique, among which are slip trailing, air brushing, stenciling, and stamping."

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Elizabeth Hake's handmade jewelry is inspired by some of the oldest designs known to humankind: Square, Circle, Triangle, Spiral, and the Equidistant Cross.  Her jewelry design starts with these basic shapes, sometimes repeating and other times combining them to discover something new.

The process used is Lost Wax Casting, which has been in use since ancient Egypt. Each piece is sculpted with sheets and wires made of jeweler's wax. When the wax original is finished, it is enveloped in a plaster mold, then the original wax model is "burned out" in a kiln leaving a cavity where the wax used to be.  Hence the term, "lost wax".

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Born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains inspired Jason Janow's love for the outdoors.  From an early age he collected river stones and interesting treasures from nature, and in high school started making jewelry utilizing these treasures.  Today, Jason continues to make jewelry from the same kinds of river stones and natural materials that he began with in high school.

"I am always out collecting beautiful river stones and other things whether I am hunting, fishing, or simply enjoying my time in nature.  I share an early arts and crafts philosophy that craft makers should use materials that are local and familiar to them. It is my goal to combine familiar materials, such as river stones and wood, with precious metals, such as gold and silver, to create unique jewelry and cutlery that pleases each and every customer."

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Jennifer Jenkins began her art career In 1980 when she enrolled in the production crafts program in metal at Haywood Community College. After graduating, her first work was primarily an art jewelry line, using silver, gold and anodized metals. Throughout the 80’s, she exhibited in national art shows and developed a line of wholesale jewelry which she marketed throughout the U.S. In 1990, Jennifer decided to broaden her skills and become a "real" jeweler. Employed as a bench jeweler and custom designer, she spent the next eleven and a half years at that position and was able to work beside many highly skilled artisans with years of retail and design experience. It was during that period she acquired her wealth of knowledge about retail gallery sales, management, advertising, display design, exhibitions, and customer relations, not to mention the many skills learned in her craft.

Since February of 2002 Jennifer has been the sole proprietor of her own business.  From her studio in Weaverville, she now works with gold, platinum and semi-precious and precious stones, creating fine contemporary and classical designs. Color, style, attention to detail and fine craftsmanship are what define her work.

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Karen Metcalf's artwork is a combination of many influences in her life, such as majoring in Crafts Design, lving overseas, teaching students from many cultures and working with cultures.

"I love texture. Fabric design and textile techniques greatly influence my metalwork. This influence can be seen in the embossed surface patterns and basket weave constructed chains.

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Award-winning artist Ann Robb carefully chooses the visually interesting stones for each piece of jewelry she creates. Her choices are mostly colorful minerals such as lapis lazuli, sugilite and chrysocolla, which are cut by lapidaries into various one-of-a-kind shapes to make pieces which are unique.

"Before I execute a design in metal, it may have gone through a number of changes on paper. I sketch the shapes and proportions, decide on details such as a high polish or brushed and antique finish, or whether or not I have to add surface texture to emphasize certain lines and forms. All of these elements have to be combined to come together into the final, exciting design."

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"Every time I create a piece of jewelry, I am striving to uncover the softness in metal. The process of making a piece of jewelry excites me from the moment I envision it in my mind until I hold the finished piece in my hand. My style is expressed by using a unique combination of forging and hand fabricating. By merging sterling with 14k gold and an infinite variety of pearls, I am able to accomplish my goal of creating elegant, simple and well-made jewelry. My hope is for the purchaser to find a personal connection to my work, and to feel as great about wearing my jewelry as I feel about making it."

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