Meet Julie Glassman of Grand Junction, Colorado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Glassman.

Hi Julie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was fourteen, I took my first metalsmithing class, and with one ignition of a blowtorch I had found my path in life. I was fortunate to attend one out of only ten public high schools in the country with an advanced art program. After high school, I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan and graduated with an associate degree in jewelry and gems.

After college, I mastered the technique of cloisonné enamel and developed my signature line: miniature paintings of layered enamel framed in embellished settings of precious metal and gems. Art to wear, instead of hanging on a wall. I kiln fire my more detailed pieces as many as thirty five times. One of my earliest creations was my landscape jewelry line. 40 years later, my cloisonné enamel landscapes remain one of my most popular design collections. A piece from the series was featured on the cover of 2023 Tucson Gem Show Magazine Guide.

Lines, color and light guide my world as I tell my story in enamel. Each piece is a portal of my subconscious, an offering of memory, transformation and vision. My work reflects the layers of an inner landscape, bridging the mystical and the tangible so that what lives unseen within can be carried outward as art to wear. Each piece is more than adornment, a talisman that invites the wearer into connection with their own story and carries a living resonance of protection, meaning and beauty.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road hasn’t been entirely smooth, but every challenge has shaped me into the artist I am today. Working in cloisonné enamel requires tremendous patience, dedication and sacrifice. Each piece takes many hours, sometimes weeks, and dozens of kiln firings. It is a process where you must surrender control. In the beginning there were many failed firings, cracks, and unexpected reactions in the enamel, but those moments became my teachers.

Running a fine art jewelry business as a one woman studio has also brought its hurdles, from fluctuating precious metal costs to the long hours spent balancing creativity with the practical side of entrepreneurship. There have been seasons of self doubt, isolation, and the ongoing challenge of evolving with technology and social media while staying true to my artistic voice.

Through it all I have learned that obstacles are part of the alchemy of this work. They teach resilience, patience, and trust in the creative process, the same lessons my pieces reflect through their layers of color, light, and story.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional fine art jeweler specializing in cloisonné enamel set in sterling silver and gold. My work blends storytelling with the vivid colors and textures of the desert landscapes where I live in Western Colorado. Each piece is meticulously hand crafted with 24k gold wire, fine silver, and multiple kiln firings to create depth and luminosity. I am known for my signature motifs of owls, hearts, eyes and landscape themes that reflect transformation, light, and the subconscious. My jewelry was featured on the cover of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show Guide, which remains one of my proudest achievements. What sets me apart is my devotion to craftsmanship and the emotional resonance behind every design, where lines, color, and light become portals for connection and meaning.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was an introverted and intuitive child who felt deeply connected to nature. I spent a lot of time outdoors, finding peace and inspiration in the natural world around me. I was quiet and observant, often more comfortable expressing myself through creativity than through words. I loved working with my hands, whether it was making art, building small projects, or exploring materials that let me create something beautiful or meaningful. Those early experiences shaped my appreciation for detail, patience, and the quiet magic of bringing ideas to life through creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://julieglassman.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julieglassmanjewelry/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.julieglassmanjewelry

Image Credits
Photo credit of jewelry: Jim DeLutes
Photo credit of portrait: Frank Hayde