About

Welcome to Lava Glow Jewelry!

I'm Jan Maitland, the artist and owner behind this exclusive shop, where you’ll find one-of-a-kind gilded gold and silver lava jewelry, as well as exquisite fine precious and semi-precious gem beaded pieces.

Reflecting on my journey, I cherish the memory of my first jewelry purchase—a ring I saved for with my babysitting money. That piece ignited my passion for jewelry, and the feeling of wearing something so significant was truly special. Over the years, my love for collecting and creating jewelry has deepened, leading me to master techniques like gilding with gold leaf, metalsmithing, and choosing gemstone combinations for color harmony.

I believe jewelry is not just an accessory; it tells a story. I’d love to hear yours! What was your first meaningful piece of jewelry? Feel free to share your story with me—let's connect through our shared love of jewelry!

Thank you for visiting, and I hope you find something that resonates with you.

 

Artist History

Having been a long-time pastel artist in Oregon and worked as a fine art painter for years, I found myself drawn to exploring other art forms.

Over 20 years ago, I was captivated by reverse painting and gilding on glass after a visit to master glass artist Marco Toso Borella in Murano, Italy. Upon returning home, I sought out artists working with precious metal leaf and honed my skills in water gilding in San Francisco under the guidance of renowned gilder Frances Federer. Combining my love for gilding and jewelry, I began creating lavish nugget-like beads using ancient techniques to gild gold and silver on lava stone, resulting in truly unique jewelry pieces. This marked a pivotal moment for me in terms of direction, development, originality, and innovation. My jewelry exudes a luxurious rustic chic aesthetic, appealing to women who appreciate being noticed for their grace, groundedness, elegance, and strength. While my jewelry looks opulent, it remains affordable. Clients have approached me for custom commissions for special occasions such as concerts, weddings, anniversaries, and holiday gifts, with my pieces now gracing private collections across the US and even as far as Australia.

My jewelry has been featured in various galleries in Oregon and Hawaii, and my jewelry and gilded glass art bowls are currently represented at the Freed Gallery. I hold memberships in prestigious organizations such as the Society of Gilders, as well as Signature Memberships in the Pastel Society of the West Coast, Northwest Pastel Society, and Associate Memberships in the Pastel Society of America and Portrait Society of America.

My Specialty

Discover mesmerizing one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, perfect for yourself or as a meaningful and cherished gift, elegantly presented in a stylish box with a bow. I would be thrilled to collaborate with you on a customized piece that reflects your unique style and artistic preferences.

Thank you for valuing my work. . . Jan

Explore my exquisite gilded lava jewelry, gem designs, and glass art at Lava Glow Jewelry and consider joining my email list for free updates, jewelry news, Jan's Gems tips, and more! Staying in touch - Join My Email List today.