An award-winning jeweler and metalsmith, Jennie Lorette Keatts creates distinctive sterling silver jewelry that brings together the elemental beauty of metal, clay, glass, minerals, and fire. Working from her studio in  central North Carolina—in the Pottery Capital of the United States—she is best known for her sterling silver designs featuring handmade ceramic cabochons created from Jugtown Pottery clay and glazes.

At the heart of her work is a fascination with transformation: the ability of ceramic glazes to produce colors and surfaces that echo the beauty of natural stones, the malleability of silver, and the extraordinary variety found in the natural world. Each ceramic cabochon is individually hand formed and undergoes multiple steps and firings to achieve depth, color, and variation. No two are exactly alike.

More recently, she has expanded her vocabulary of materials to include torch-fired enamels, incorporating crushed glass into her jewelry both independently and in combination with her ceramic stones. The relationship between glass and glaze—two materials transformed through heat—has become an important area of exploration. Clay, minerals, stains, glass, glaze, and metal come together in unexpected ways, creating pieces that reflect both ancient traditions and a contemporary sensibility.

Every piece begins with sterling silver sheet or wire and is handmade from start to finish. Traditional metalsmithing techniques—including hammer forming, hand piercing, roller printing, etching, and reticulation—allow her to build texture, movement, and form into the silver itself. Fire plays an especially important role in her process, whether transforming enamel or contributing to the surface and character of the metal. She welcomes the unpredictability of the process, often allowing an initial drawing or idea to evolve organically as the work develops.

Primarily self-taught, she approaches jewelry making with curiosity and a willingness to experiment. Her work is influenced by a deep appreciation for the histories of the materials and techniques she uses, many of which have been practiced for centuries. She is particularly drawn to the idea that these materials carry their own histories—and that, through the act of making, she can add something of her own life to them.

Her jewelry is created to be worn and lived with: art that can move easily from everyday life to a special occasion. Accented with semi-precious stones and, occasionally, gold, her pieces are largely one of a kind. Her hope is that each piece will be worn often, treasured, and eventually passed on, carrying its own story forward.

Her work has received numerous awards, including Best of Show at ArtsFest in Winston-Salem, Second Place at Art in the Arboretum in Greensboro, and Honorable Mentions at Art in the Park in Blowing Rock and Art on Main in Hendersonville. In 2021, she received an Artist Support Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, enabling her to acquire new equipment and further expand her creative and productive capabilities.

In the past she has  collaborated with her sister, Pamela Owens of Jugtown Pottery. One of their silver and clay collaborations was acquired by the Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Raised in New Hampshire, she earned a BA in Biology from the University of Colorado. Before dedicating herself to jewelry, she spent many years working in hotel and tourism sales and marketing management, both nationally and internationally. Her diverse experiences continue to inform her curiosity, appreciation for place, and love of craftsmanship.

Today, her work is collected by individuals throughout the world. Through each handmade piece, she seeks to celebrate the beauty of small things, encourage people to wear handmade art, and leave behind a lasting mark of creativity.

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Artist Statement

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