Humans started making beads out of sandstone 40 thousand years ago. According to archeologists, this desire to adorn is unique to humans. Since stringing my first love beads, I have been fascinated with adornment. My early pieces were made with seed beads and had a Native American influence. As my income rose and my eyesight waned, wire, gemstones, and metals became my mediums. I enjoy creating items that are one of a kind, with an organic, earthy style. Basket weaving skills have morphed into free form wire wraps. The transformative energies of fire are celebrated in my fold form pieces. My love of the earth inspires me to recycle and re purpose as in the Trashy Tinsel reArt line.

The artist behind Jan E O Jewelry is Jan E. O’Banion. I was born and raised in a small neighborhood in SE Portland. Being reared with little money and four siblings, I learned how to be resourceful and make my own adornments. With a handful of books and a couple of workshops, I am primarily a self taught jewelry artist.

In my mid twenties, I followed my 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.

After retiring from school counseling, this alchemy is now a full time passion of mine. I can be found most afternoons in the shop with two rescue dogs as supervisors. Unless of course the weather is nice, then you will find me and the dogs creating magic in the great outdoors.