Jeep Collins

In 1972, I started making jewelry using glass African trade beads my sister gave me. She suggested I combine them with brass wire and try selling them in her store. I had just left the Marine Corps and was about to start college in the fall. I needed some money before school, so I agreed. By September, her store was selling all the jewelry I could make. Encouraged by the sales, I decided to delay college and pursue jewelry-making full-time. That decision turned into a lifelong career.

Discover timeless elegance and craftsmanship at Jeep Collins Jewelry. Specializing in unique, handcrafted pieces, our collection features beautiful jewelry inspired by nature, faith, and creativity. From intricate designs to classic styles, each piece is made with care and precision, reflecting our commitment to quality.

I later learned lost wax casting and direct metal fabrication at the Southwest Craft Center in San Antonio. These skills let me create pieces inspired by wildlife and nature. After my conversion to Christianity in 1974, many of my designs reflected my new faith.

In the early years, Dana and I traveled around Texas to sell our jewelry at craft shows. Eventually, we sold to resellers and opened our own stores in major Texas cities in the 1990s. We had over a hundred craftsmen working in our Fredericksburg workshop, and life was fast-paced.

Now, life is simpler. The stores are closed, and we make jewelry in an old tin house on our ranch, similar to the log cabin where I started. We sell online and by phone. This downsizing has been a blessing. Besides making jewelry, Dana and I are involved in Christian ministries, caring for our grandchildren, raising cattle, and growing vegetables.