Julie Ann Packer

There can be a moment in the life of an artist when the inner spirit is awoken.  It could be a compliment, a gift or an award.  That happened to me at the young age of 8 when I won 1st prize in an art contest.  I still remember the prize of that green glass rabbit.  It also gave me the courage to put myself out there and be a maker, a creator.  My work revolves around textures and mixed metals.  I indulge in old-world bench techniques and put in my own artistic flair.

Artist Bio

I am a 3rd generation native of Santa Cruz, a small coastal town in northern California.  I grew up with makers, artists, and craftspeople.  I would sneak down to the basement of my grandparent’s home and watch my grandfather turn redwood on his lathe.  I can still smell the hot wood and lingering oil of the tools in the damp basement.  While grandpa was creating wood bowls, my grandmother was upstairs sewing, baking or painting Christmas decorations.  My father become an architect and my mother would make our clothes.  I began the art of sewing at the young age of 8 and designed my clothes all through my school age years.  I became a quilter at the age of 20 and was a member of the Pajaro Valley Quilter’s Association.  The graduation from sewing into jewelry making was an easy transition.  I was embellishing my quilts with beads and metal and discovered a whole new world.  I began jewelry designing in 2007.  I took classes, read books and began teaching myself techniques, which led me to Metalsmithing.  Jewelry design has been a wonderful journey.  As an artist, I work with all metals and take as many classes as I can.

My education includes several years in the Cabrillo College metalsmithing program with Dawn Nakanishi; classes with artists Davide Bigazzi, Joe Silvera, Nancy Megan Corwin, Angela Gleason, Ken Bova, Merry-Lee Rae, Ricky Frank, Curtis Arima, Alison Antelman, Deb Lozier, Mary Hettsmanberger, Tracy Stanley, Barb Switzer, Janice Berkebile, Hadar Jacobson, Ruth Ball, Albion Smith, Linda Darty, Linda Darty and Carol Webb.

Currently I am the treasurer of the Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild.  I show my creations annually at local Art & Wine festivals and just completed my 5th year in the Santa Cruz Open Studios Tour.  I also do trunk shows at boutiques and private residences. My jewelry is not mass-produced.  I strive to create one-of-a-kind – earthy, everyday casual, ethnic, urban — wearable art pieces.