How long DGJ has been in business?
Since 1974
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What’s your favorite metal and why?
Mixed metals always capture my attention, such as “Mokume Gane”... in essence it’s wood grain metal.
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Are you a diamond or colored stone person?
Diamonds, cause they are forever!
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Tell me about macrame- who taught you or did you teach yourself?
Well there was no YouTube as a kid, but there was Boy Scouts, and we learn knot tying.
I was fascinated at the patterns knots could make, so I tied “overhand knots” to “fisherman knots” till I got some interesting patterns. This eventually lead into stranding simple knots between pearls.
Can you read and write Italian? I know you can speak it.
Any other languages?
I can get by with speech much better than written. True or Correct Italian is challenging. The verbs, and congregating is tricky. When I’m immersed in it, it comes naturally. However I’m very fascinated with the dialects, that emerged from hill town to hill town.
As far as any other languages, I’m an expert at “slurred speech” after Prosecco!
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Favorite brand of watch? Hamilton? Bcz..
“Eterna Watches”...the bronze collection, and the low productions and their collectibility!
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What’s your go-to-piece? Why?
Any watch... love time keeping!
Father Time is undefeated!
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If you were to make a piece what would it be? Is there a satisfaction in building one thing more than another?
I like making pendants!
I get satisfaction when, I have free reign and push from the typical standards.
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What degree do you have?
Proudly a ISU redbird graduate, with a BS degree in Business Administration (Major), and a Art Minor, (concentration in jewelry) I am forever grateful to my Jewelry instructor at the time, Mr. Niemi.
Just as a side note: the GPA went up quite considerably after I Graduated lol!
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What’s your passion? Gemstones, charity, travel, fly fishing
Biking... especially after a I pave my handle bars in D flawless diamonds.
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Some people read to relax, some binge watch Sci-fi. What’s your down time thing?
“Wordscapes” puzzles.
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Is there a jewelry skill you have taught the next gen?
I am always happy to share solutions to a fellow goldsmith sitting next to me on the jewelers bench.
However, We’re loosing our next Generation of potential jewelers...passion and commitment of time that is needed, is waning. Jimmy Hendrix did not become a master by playing a lot of golf.
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What’s the coolest design piece you have EVER worked on? What’s the latest one that stands out?
We have a wonderful customer that allows us free reign on all her custom made pieces. She is creative and allows creativity. Any one of her pieces make me smile.
The latest piece that is in the works is our “revisit” of a limited piece I made 20 years ago, for the year 2000. We are updating it and only making twenty. It will be simple, numbered, symbolic of 2020, and a bit progressive in our world of new technology!
Stay tuned!