Jan E O'Banion
www.janeojewelry.com
Humans started making beads out of sandstone 40 thousand years ago. According to archeologists, this desire to adorn is unique to humans. Since stringing her first love beads, Jan has been fascinated with adornment. Inspired by nature, her designs are bold, organic and tribal, with an earthy flair.
The artist behind Jan E O Jewelry is Jan E. O’Banion. Born and raised in a small neighborhood in SE Portland with little money and four siblings, she learned how to be resourceful and make her own adornments. With a handful of books and a couple of workshops, Jan is primarily a self taught jewelry artist.
In her mid twenties, she followed her dream of moving to the country and building a home. Deep in the woods of the coast range lays the “Shiva Shop” where the alchemy of transforming raw materials into jewelry takes place. Basket weaving skills have morphed into freeform wire wraps. The transformative energies of fire are celebrated in hand forged fold form pieces. A love of the earth inspires Jan to utilize found, recycled or repurposed materials whenever possible.
After retiring from school counseling, this alchemy is now a full time passion of Jan’s. She can be found most afternoons in her shop with her two rescue dogs as supervisors. Unless of course the weather is nice, then you will find her and the dogs creating magic in the great outdoors.
www.janeojewelry.com
Humans started making beads out of sandstone 40 thousand years ago. According to archeologists, this desire to adorn is unique to humans. Since stringing her first love beads, Jan has been fascinated with adornment. Inspired by nature, her designs are bold, organic and tribal, with an earthy flair.
The artist behind Jan E O Jewelry is Jan E. O’Banion. Born and raised in a small neighborhood in SE Portland with little money and four siblings, she learned how to be resourceful and make her own adornments. With a handful of books and a couple of workshops, Jan is primarily a self taught jewelry artist.
In her mid twenties, she followed her dream of moving to the country and building a home. Deep in the woods of the coast range lays the “Shiva Shop” where the alchemy of transforming raw materials into jewelry takes place. Basket weaving skills have morphed into freeform wire wraps. The transformative energies of fire are celebrated in hand forged fold form pieces. A love of the earth inspires Jan to utilize found, recycled or repurposed materials whenever possible.
After retiring from school counseling, this alchemy is now a full time passion of Jan’s. She can be found most afternoons in her shop with her two rescue dogs as supervisors. Unless of course the weather is nice, then you will find her and the dogs creating magic in the great outdoors.
