Jo Adams, a local jewelry artist, is more than just a creator of adornments. She is a storyteller, weaving narratives through the natural elements of metal and stone. Her craft is not just about creating beauty; it's about history, personal energy, and a sacred connection to Earth. This deep connection to the Southwest culture, which she has long admired, sets her work apart. Her creative process involves meticulous research, drawing inspiration from the rich history and culture of the Southwest. She then translates these narratives into unique designs, often incorporating traditional techniques and materials.
Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Jo acquired a love and appreciation for all things Western. She remembers, "As a girl, I spent my summers with relatives on the ranches and farms on the east slope of the Rockies." Jo spent the summer with her aunt and family at Fruitland, near Farmington, New Mexico, when she was ten. Much like the vast mesas of New Mexico's enchanting landscapes, the rural area was sparsely populated and supported a small trading post and a general store. Jo recalls, "The native Americans of the area would come into the trading post in horse-drawn wagons outfitted with rubber tires to pick up supplies and trade handcrafted items for goods at the store." The turquoise and silver jewelry walls became an unforgettable memory for young Jo, a vision she grew to love and admire.
Years later, as a young adult, Jo moved to Colorado Springs, where she lived on acreage in the Black Forest, raising her sons and her horses. She worked as a marketing director and broker for a large developer while completing her degree in real estate at Colorado State University. By the mid-1980s, the economy in Colorado was taking a downturn. Jo was laid off and faced with the problem of what to do next. Fortunately, a former boss in the mortgage business was opening a mortgage office in Phoenix and asked her if she would be willing to relocate. He didn't have to ask twice. Jo states, “I packed up my sons, horses, dogs, and cats and headed for Arizona and never looked back.”
The Southwest deserts held their charm for Jo, her love for natural open spaces and the vast landscapes stretching to the furthest horizons. Jo slid into her new job, settled the family, and built a new life. It wasn't long before she met Bud and Lou Adams of Adams Arabians through an ostrich purchase. Sadly, Lou passed away in 1994, and about a year after, Jo ran into Bud again. Bud traveled a lot with his Arabian horse business and needed a savvy person with a banking background to hold down the fort on the business and estate records. Jo took an early retirement and went to work for Adams Arabians. Eventually, Jo became Mrs. Adams. Determined to pick up her in silver and native stones again, Jo embarked on a journey of self-discovery and learning, showing her unwavering resilience and determination. She taught herself the techniques through observation and searching out articles explaining the finer points of silversmithing and stonework.
Jo saw an opportunity to create her pieces when she broke some fetishes on a necklace and needed to repair them. She found a bead supply store, "It was wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling beads, stones, chains, clasps, and everything you can imagine." She started making fun pieces of bling jewelry, but it wasn't long before she moved into higher-quality materials and reignited her love for turquoise. Once on the path guided by her passion for Southwest-inspired jewelry, she branched off into her style of Southwest jewelry using antique Native American pieces she had admired all her life. Using antique pieces that needed repair or restoration, Jo applied her sense of design and tooling techniques to add a distinct character and new life to her creations. The time came when she was ready for primetime. Sadly, it coincided with losing her beloved mare, Topaz. Jo tells the story that inspired her to go on, "We lost our mare; the day it happened, I was in the pasture with her best buddy when a Monarch butterfly landed on him. The Monarch and the two horses were the same color. It stayed awhile and then disappeared into the distance. Butterflies are truly a miracle of transformation." Jo founded her business, Topaz Spirit Jewelry, in honor of Topaz and transformation, emphasizing the transformative power of her work.
Today, under Topaz Spirit Jewelry, Jo works her magic with jewelry from her home studio in Scottsdale. Surrounded by the memories of her late husband, she finds inspiration in the love for old Native American jewelry and the quality, artistic, and spiritual expression of each piece. This inspiration guides her to create wearable art in a more modern fashion. Jo often converts a passed-down piece sitting in someone's drawer into something that can be worn to honor a loved one, giving the piece new life. She sees the process as creating something for the future that was a part of the past, a testament to her unique creative process.
Undoubtedly, artist Jo Adams has made a name for herself in Southwest-inspired jewelry design. She is a member of the Sonoran Art League. Several galleries throughout Arizona represent her work, such as the Andrea Smith Gallery at Tlaquepaque in Sedona, Three Sisters Consignment in Prescott, Turquoise Tortoise Gallery in Tubac, and the Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek. Her work is featured in several editions of Cowboys and Indians Magazine and Native American Art Magazine. In Jo Adams's world, she is guided by a Navajo, Dine', saying, "To walk in beauty is harmony." The quote encapsulates the essence of her work, emphasizing the importance of balance, respect, and harmony in her creative process.
Website: www.topazspiritjewelry.com
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