Five Portland Jewelry Designers Show Off Their Stuff
Image: George Barberis
1. Dea Dia
Sheets of brass and silver clipped and polished into simple, geometric shapes make designer Jessica Lawson’s Dea Dia line one for all occasions. See the full range of rings, cuffs, hair accessories, and more at the eponymous flagship shop just opened this summer on Albina.
Half circle Ellipse choker on hand-forged 14K gold-filled wire ($88), brass Third Eye bun pin ($70), and hefty Ridge cuff ($150), at deadiajewelry.com
2. Beach Bones Jewelry
Inspired by her grandmother’s vast collection of rocks, shells, and beads, Nicolette Peterson uses big colorful chunks as the hero pieces of each design, letting the stones shine front and center.
Pangea necklace with chrysoprase and brass ($98) and recycled guitar string earrings with chrysoprase, copper, and African trade beads ($60), at beachbonesjewelry.com
3. Allison Bartline
Carving each charmingly creepy character from wax before casting them in sterling silver, designer Allison Bartline’s funky pieces have grown such a fan base that the eight-year-old line opened a Belmont storefront this year called Gem Gem.
Sterling silver Sobek alligator necklace with smoky quartz eyes ($1,200) and Terrestris worm bracelet ($950) at allisonbartline.com
4. Rillrill
Katie Freedle, owner of West End’s Backtalk boutique, stocks her shelves with local and national designers. Her own line, RillRill, focuses on graphic, modern pendants inspired by the elements.
Speckled granite Fire pendant with silver tubing and leather cord ($148), at rillrilljewelry.com
5. Allison Ullmer
With years of training under her belt—including a BFA in metalsmithing from the University of Oregon and an MFA in metal—Allison Ullmer crafts miniature organic sculptures in high-end materials.
Blended sterling silver and platinum sunglasses plated in 24K gold ($1,500) and 18K gold two-finger ring with colored diamonds and tourmaline marquise stones ($7,800), at allisonullmer.com
