Contemporary classic designs have been at the heart of Mary Timmer’s jewelry since she began metal smithing in 1996. After a three year apprenticeship to a well recognized jewelry gallery in her home town of Chapel Hill NC, she forged ahead building her technical knowledge and proficiency through additional education and production work for other distinguished jewelers in the Asheville NC area. Mary established Timmer Designs in 2002. With a focus on Jewelry as Art, Mary’s work combines artistic designs with technical skill. Using sterling with gold accents for the basis of most production pieces, she adds the beautiful luster of pearls and the shimmer of precious stones to achieve a look of simple elegance. Classic designs that stay in style. Graceful lines and fluid shapes.

Mary received a B.F.A. in Art Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and continued her technical education in jewelry with classes at Penland School of Crafts and a specialists’ degree in Professional Crafts Jewelry from Haywood Community College near Asheville, NC. She is a member of The Southern Highland Craft Guild, The Piedmont Craftsmen Guild as well as The Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild. Her work is sold in galleries both local and national. She participates in juried art shows around the US and teaches classes at John C Campbell Folk School. Presently, her studio is located at Miya Gallery in Weaverville, NC. She delights in the personal opportunity to see her jewelry appreciated and enjoyed by her customers.

“Every time I create a piece of jewelry, I am looking to uncover the softness in metal. The entire process of jewelry making excites me – from my first inspiration, to concept and design, to the moment I hold the finished work in my hand. My style is expressed by using a unique combination of forging and hand fabricating. I love creating things that people want to touch, that move or seem to have a natural warmth of their own. With a variety of unusual pearls, precious stones, and fine gold and silver, I am able to accomplish my goal – elegant, finely crafted original jewelry of the highest quality. Items that are unique, yet extremely wearable. My ultimate compliment is when a customer returns and wants another piece or something special for a friend or loved one. My hope is for the buyer to find a personal connection to my work, and to feel as great about wearing the jewelry as I feel about making it.”