Joni Landreneau
Jewelry

I’m a jewelry maker and mixed-media artist based on the Cajun Prairie in Mamou, Louisiana. Working under my studio brand, Light From Stars, I create one-of-a-kind wearable art and mixed media art inspired by the natural world. My work blends raw gemstones, aged brass, freshwater pearls, watercolor, and plaster-based texture techniques to create pieces that feel both ancient and alive with story. With a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainable Resources, I bring a deep respect for origins, earth, and form to my creative practice.

Rooted in southern Louisiana’s color palette, wild landscapes, and storytelling traditions, my work reflects a quiet belief that art should feel both meaningful and personal. Each piece begins with an intuitive response to materials—whether it’s a chunk of blue kyanite, a weathered cedar board, or a bit of brass with beautifully imperfect patina. I see all of my work as an exploration of connection and memory, often choosing stones not only for their beauty but for their symbolic energy and grounding presence.

My process is slow, intentional, and guided by texture, touch, and a sense of place. I believe handmade craft carries the essence of the hands that made it, becoming a quiet ritual in the life of its keeper. Ultimately, my goal is to create art that feels like it was unearthed—organic, timeless, and woven with the spirit of Louisiana.

Beatrix Bell
Jewelry

Creating jewelry isn’t just a job for me; it’s a labor of love. From the inception of an idea to the final polish, every step in the process is a reflection of my passion for creating. I embark on this journey armed with a set of tools that have become an extension of my hands – a jeweler’s saw, a soldering torch, and a keen eye for detail. I never leave the house without my pliers!

Being a creative entrepreneur, professional crafts person, and jewelry maker has empowered me to live life on my own terms. It has given me the freedom to express my creativity, set my own schedule, and pursue projects that genuinely inspire me. This path has opened doors to unique opportunities and experiences that my former 9-5 jobs could never offer, and for that, I’m forever grateful!

I currently own two gift shops in New Orleans that feature my work as well as art & other curated handmade items. Please stop by and say hi! https://www.beatrixbell.com/pages/new-orleans-gift-shop

Kathleen Wort
Jewelry

I specialize in hand forged sterling silver jewelry. What makes my jewelry unique is that I use antique steel dies from the early 1900s, and a 20 ton hydraulic press, to ‘press’ and hand forge most of my pieces. This emulates an old process jewelers used 100 years ago called ‘die striking’ (using a drop hammer and steel dies), which is now becoming obsolete. The end result is a quality, solid piece of sterling silver jewelry! Please see my website for more details on my process!

I also enjoy using authentic (originally thrown in New Orleans) doubloons and turning those into earrings and necklaces.

I created hat jewelry to embellish my festival hat and people loved it so much that I currently offer many different kinds of hat jewelry (hat bands) for sale as well!

You can find me on many weekends at the Abita Springs Art and Farmers market on Sundays. Also I go to various other festivals and art shows around the area such as the Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival, Covington Spring for Art and White Linen Nights, Abita Brewery Art Market, Mandeville Rockin’ the Lake, Madisonville Art and Music Festival, and many others!

Kathi was born in Pennsylvania and lived most of her life in the Houston, TX area, where she raised 3 children. A graduate of Texas A&M University, she spent most of her career as an IT professional. After retirement and moving to Louisiana in 2017, Kathi picked up the hobby of jewelry making. Once she took her first metal-smithing class, she never looked back! Kathi loves making jewelry using sterling silver, copper and other metals, and specializes in hand forging her work. Kathi currently resides in Abita Springs with her husband, Eric and their dog Benny.

Renee Dodge
Jewelry

My meandering path of jewelry making began with the first love beads I strung in high school. About twenty years ago I discovered the joy of wireworking, which has evolved into what I affectionately call “wearable wire sculpture.”

Inspired by the nature and symbolism associated with Louisiana, my signature collection focuses on capturing the unique proportion, texture, and poetry of our magnificent Live Oaks. Each one carries history in its soul, expressing Louisiana’s beauty, strength, and resilience perhaps more eloquently than the fleur de lis.

Heather Marie
Jewelry, Metal

Local artist, metalsmith, and Lafayette, Louisiana native – Creating allows me to express the beauty of the world, reflect on life experiences, and craft meaningful creations that empower others. I am greatly inspired by nature, spirit, & the human experience. This is an appreciation that grew especially during my years living abroad and experiencing diverse cultures and ecosystems. Recognizing how we too are part of nature, reveals how interconnected we all really are.

My metalsmithing journey began in 2016, when I completed a Fundamentals of Metalsmithing course in Oregon at OCAC. About a year later, I taught myself how to incorporate gemstones into my metalwork, and Cocoro Studios was born in 2018. I primarily work with sterling silver, gold, goldfill, brass, mixed metals, & natural gemstones. Each piece is hand-fabricated from sheet and wire by me in my home studio in Lafayette, and I am continually refining my craft and learning new techniques. Through mindful metalsmithing — sawing, soldering, hammering, setting, & everything in between— it has become a form of meditation, transforming thoughts & experiences into symbolic talismans for the wearer to cherish.

Whether you choose an MTO (made to order) piece from the signature designs, or an OOAK (one of a kind) gem, each piece is crafted as intentional jewelry for your journey. It is my hope that with each piece you wear, you are reminded of your own beauty, resilience, and empowerment. More than just jewelry, it’s everyday ritual and tangible reminders of your growth and set intentions. For those who rebuilt from the pieces, found their way out by going through, and are choosing love over fear— this jewelry is for you.

Linda Snider-Ward
Mixed Media, Jewelry

My handpainted-jewelry and small paintings are directly influenced by nature and my love of animals. I often collect natural objects on my walks in New Orleans. I also photograph animals, especially dogs and horses and these become the basis of my artwork.

My media includes watercolor, gouache, ink pen, and acrylic paint drawn and/or painted on paper, wood, or air-dried clay. I hope that my love of nature and animals comes through in each special piece that I create.

Sabine Chadborn
Jewelry

Since 1996 I strive to create something that sets my work apart. My designs are the result of my fondness for abstract, modern and geometric but also natural occurring shapes and lines. Thus my “Jellies and Bubbles” were born.

I took formal metalsmithing classes at Arrowmont school of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee as well as lessons taught by a Master Goldsmith in Pforzheim Germany where I was born and raised.

I individually hand make every piece in my collection, mainly using Sterling silver and Genuine Stones.

Krista DeJoseph
Jewelry

My journey as a metalsmith began 15 years ago, when I enrolled in a “Jewelry for Beginners” continuing education course on a whim. I discovered that attacking sheets of metal with a hammer was a great stress reliever, not to mention really fun! Since then, I’ve spent more than a decade as a full time jeweler and small business owner, and it has been the most satisfying and creatively fulfilling work of my life.

Queens Metal is “bold jewelry for fearless women.” My design ideas come from all things industrial, such as bridges and iron fences. My pieces are crafted individually and by hand in my attic studio in Uptown, New Orleans using traditional tools and metalsmithing techniques. Using a variety of hammers, a saw, and a jewelers torch, I create three-dimensional forms and blend organic details with industrial, urban shapes.

Michael Hayman
Jewelry

As a longtime student of ancient cultures, I have always been drawn to the magic and romance of mythology and legends.  A child’s fascination has been transmuted into an adult appreciation for the power of archetypes and of symbolism occurring within both the subconscious and the conscious mind. The motifs I create are symbols of the cycles of life, a labyrinth of man’s journey through the unknown towards infinity, absorbing the influences of nature, and harnessing its totem beasts. I have a particularly strong appreciation for the ancient Celts, and I actively seek to preserve the spirit of the ancient metalsmiths with my new interpretations of the old styles and motifs.

The pieces are for me a direct reaction and foil to our cold and technical modernity, , where design and motifs are considered disposable or temporary, such that I do not use computers or technology to achieve my designs and finished but instead with a sense towards preservation of traditional craft, carve or form them by hand, with knives, saws, chisels, pliers and hammers, the tools of the ancient smith. All motifs are first sketched on paper before wax or metal is altered.  The pencil is my most powerful tool. ( except probably for an eraser!)

Frances Johanson
Jewelry

Frances Johanson Jewlery

My goal is to create unique hand-stitched art to be worn as jewelry. My primary techniques are bead embroidery and bead weaving, using glass seed beads, pearls gemstones & blown glass, and-painted glass and crystals on different leathers and hand-dyed silks.