Jim happened into the jewelry business by accident. Taking a temporary job as an assistant manager for a chain jewelry store after a tour of duty in the Air Force, he discovered he enjoyed watching and learning from the master jeweler more than selling and doing paperwork. He was moved from office duties to the bench after his mentor retired. He continued to work and learn until opening his first store in 1985. As with this current shop, it specialized in repair work and unique pieces of jewelry for sale. He moved to Granbury in 1993 and opened The Jeweler's Workshop. His shop still does a large volume of repair work, some of which is mailed in from around the country
from former customers. His inventory contains a number of unique and one-of-a-kind pieces, many made by him. Some of these pieces never reach the showcase. Customers snap up the unfinished pieces because they have learned they will not be here the next time they stop by the shop. Jim has been a working bench jeweler since 1976 and enjoys his craft. He has no plans to retire in the foreseeable future. In his own words, "I am lucky to be able to do what I like and make a living at it." |
