Mary Jo Weiss

Mary Jo Weiss is an award-winning metalsmith currently based in central Oregon. 

Her love of metalwork was forged in the Midwest, where she was born and raised and would eventually attend Northern Illinois University to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She relocated to Central Oregon in 1990, settling in Sisters to raise her two daughters. Watching her children play among the pine, two of her biggest artistic influences would begin to flourish; Mary Jo’s artwork is heavily inspired by nature and family. 

Click images for larger views

Mary Jo has worked at a multitude of Fine Jewelers over the course of her career, but became full-time independent in 2012. Shortly thereafter, she helped to create the Torch Jewelry Collective: a female owned-and-operated cooperative that creates the space for comradery and   encouragement while still allowing the artists to remain independent business owners. In addition to owning Josepha Weiss Designs, Mary Jo taught jewelry and metalworking at Central Oregon Community College. Currently, she is teaching workshops and small classes at her studio. Furthermore, after thirty years in the area, Mary Jo has developed a loyal local following and a uniquely recognizable style that has earned her multiple awards. 

While she greatly enjoys teaching and recognition, for Mary Jo the purest of joys will always come from creation: The evolution of a piece from concept, to stone, to texture as she allows her intuition to guide her. Ultimately, she has one goal: to create one-of-a-kind wearable art her clients will love for generations to come.

See more of MaryJo’s work on her website HERE. Her work can also be seen on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE.