BIO
Artist Melissa Brown was raised on the California coast where, as a child, she splashed in ocean waves, climbed oak trees barefoot, and skinny-dipped in mossy creeks. When she moved to Alaska in her 30’s, she missed the vibrant colors and golden glow of her home state. So, during the dark winters, she began designing jewelry reminiscent of her favorite place.
Her pieces—inspired by the rugged splendor of the West—balance beauty and durability, made with natural gemstones and high-quality metals. They reflect the vivid blue and green tones of the ocean’s waters, the natural angles of coastal ridgelines, and the radiant shimmer of mountain streams.
They are as playful and elegant as she is. And, like her, they inspire pure joy.
“An adventure may be worn as a muddy spot or it may be worn as a proud insignia. It is the woman wearing it who makes it the one thing or the other.”
-Norma Shearer
A Note From the Artist
Hello and thank you for stopping by my shop. I hope that you find my jewelry as versatile and playful as I am. I love to do custom orders or special occasion pieces. If you have any ideas and want to collaborate on a design please send me an email.
The Product:
The materials I use when creating my jewelry are excellent quality and meant to last. I source high quality gemstones from all over the world. I love finding stunning natural colored gemstones, unique shapes, and materials to inspire my creativity. Almost all items I make by hand. The wire is shaped and polished by me and the gemstones are hand selected. There is slight variation in the stones and metal work when I duplicate a design on the site. I gravitate towards things found in nature, and occasionally I use dyed stones.
Turquoise:
Turquoise is becoming a rare and expensive gemstone due to the mines in the united states closing. Because of this there are a lot of stones masquerading as turquoise. With this in mind I am very cautious about my sources and will always tell you whether it is genuine or not. Commonly turquoise has been stabilized which enhances the color and hardness of the stone so it is easier to work with in jewelry making.
Metals:
I use gold filled or silver filled and solid sterling silver metals so that the pieces will hold up and don’t tarnish*. If I use gold colored or silver colored wire or chain I will specify in the description. I do occasionally use brass but the items are labeled as such in the description.
Filled metal has 100% more gold or silver than plated metals and can last 30-40 years longer. It is important to me that the jewelry you purchase is durable and beautiful for years and years.
*Silver will always tarnish but is easily rubbed back to life with a little TLC.
Ear wires are all sterling silver or gold filled so they are hypo-allergenic for most.