National Women's Month Celebration: The Sunstone Store

March is National Women's Month, and we are celebrating all of our female-owned businesses in Downtown Bend. Follow our blog and social media all month to learn about all of the amazing female entrepreneurs in Downtown Bend!

---

From an early age, it was clear to Elyse that some form of artistic expression would be a central theme of her life’s journey. As of today, she has been a jewelry artist for over 40 years.

While studying graphic art at the University of Texas at Austin, she took a non-credit jewelry making class — just for fun — and found herself hooked for life. It was the challenge of designing in three dimensions and the excitement of working with precious metals and a myriad colors and fine gems that made the medium so enticing.

After moving to California, Elyse sought out employment at small jewelry and lapidary shops, where she could practice and expand her jewelry making skills while studying art at American River College as well as some advanced training at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco gemological courses through the Gemological Institute of America.

Elyse’s personal style tends toward fluid, organic line and asymmetrical designs. As a Custom Jewelry Designer, he demonstrates an uncanny ability to intuit a person’s individual style that borders on a sixth sense. Her years of experience at the bench affords her an understanding of manufacturing techniques, giving her an unparalleled grasp of the custom jewelry process from concept through completion. Her current works are displayed in her retail gallery at The Sunstone Store, 920 NW Bond Street Suite 106 in Bend, Oregon.
​
Elyse currently holds certificates in Diamonds, Diamond Grading, Colored Stone Identification, and Colored Stone Grading. She is also a graduate of the Master Valuer jewelry appraisal program.

---