Jean Shaffer

Jean Shaffer is a native Washingtonian jewelry artist and metalsmith.  She took her first metal fabrication class in 2002 and was hooked.  In 2011, she left a long career in program and project management to go back to school and learn metalsmithing skills.   She radically changed direction to become a jewelry artist driven by the desire to create with her own hands and transform her ideas into real-world objects.

In 2014, Jean earned a Certificate in Jewelry Design from North Seattle College, established her home studio, and founded her jewelry business, Jean Shaffer Art.

My enameled jewelry pieces start out as flat metal sheet.  After sawing/cutting out my silver or copper jewelry forms, the components are domed and sometimes fluted to make them three-dimensional.   Enameled jewelry pieces are then created by fusing powdered glass to the copper or silver components and kiln-firing at 1400-1500°F.  Multiple enamel applications and firings are required to achieve the rich colors and patterns in my earrings, pendants and necklaces.

I like to apply transparent enamels to fine silver that has been hammered or stamped with textures and designs that show through transparent colors.  I use multiple techniques in enameling copper components to create abstract designs in a variety of vibrant color combinations.

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