Mountain Artisans' Gallery - Jane & Charles Downing

Jane & Charles Downing

Background:
Jane Downing taught in elementary school for 32 years in Oklahoma and Colorado. She began her career as a silversmith and jewelry designer in 1972 working at home in her spare time. After retiring in 2003 she began designing wire and gemstone jewelry. Her designs are unique and creative. She and her husband, Charles, work out of their home in Creede, Colorado.

Charles Downing, a retired science teacher, cuts and polishes some of the stones and also beads the necklaces for Jane’s designs. He is an avid rock hound. Jane uses some of the gemstones he finds for her jewelry. He also designs peyote stitch seed bead patterns for use in his work. Charles has been the Mineral County Coroner for seventeen years.