About
I am a Maker.
For more than thirty years, I have worked at my bench doing the one thing I have been the most passionate about all my life: making things. Creating designs, solving problems, and finding solutions along the way has given me the experience and skill to create work that I can be proud of, and that you can be proud to wear.
Making jewelry is an especially intimate art, I think, because it is worn on the body. People have a strong connection to the jewelry they wear, and I am gratified to know that some of the pieces I’ve made will be with their wearers for the rest of their lives. When the time comes, they might even be passed down to future generations.
I was a kid with a curious and creative nature.
If I could get my hands on it, and make something out of it, I was certainly going to give it a try. Fortunately, my parents always supported and encouraged my never-ending quest to find new ways to get my fingers dirty. Throughout my school years, I dug into every medium I could explore: paint and pigments, fibers and clay, wood, or whatever I could use to make something new and real from an idea I had in my head.
At Kent State University, I discovered metals. Using fire and tools to shape metal is an intoxicating thing, and I fell in love immediately.
I am not like any other jewelry store.
In 2010, I decided to strike out on my own and open a shop. No bosses, no salespeople, nothing to get between me and my clients working together to make pieces especially for them; jewelry to celebrate special occasions, to honor loved ones, to symbolize a union, or just to enjoy as the miniature work of wearable art that it is. The relationships I’ve forged working with clients have been every bit as gratifying as the work itself. Being able to see someone’s eyes light up when they see their finished piece makes all the years of study, practice, and hard work worth it. When you buy a David Wilkinson Design, you get my experience, my dedication to craftsmanship, and my promise that you’ll have an enduring piece of art that you can enjoy for years to come.
It is a pleasure getting my fingers dirty for you.
If you came to this page because you liked what you saw on my website and/or social media, then we have something in common; we both love the things I make!
If you have an idea for a new piece you’d like me to make for you, or want me to help you reimagine something you already have, I’m looking forward to meeting with you. let’s talk about your idea—by appointment only, so that you can have my undivided attention. The best way to reach me to set up an appointment is via the button below, but you can also leave a voicemail at [phone# here].
Ready to start your project?
About the Studio
Once we’ve set up a time, I invite you to join me at my studio in the historic Tiffany Glass Building in Beautiful Downtown Cleveland. My shop won’t be hard to find, because you’ll likely hear my music emanating from the studio as you arrive. I do my best work when I’m jammin’ and in the zone. Street parking is available on the North side of Euclid Ave., E. 9th St., and Prospect Ave. There is a parking garage right next door to the building, with a bridge on the fourth floor of the garage to the third floor of the building. The garage is $2.50/15minutes and $10 for the day. I highly recommend checking Ballgame schedules when planning your visit for both traffic and higher parking rates/availablity.
What to Expect
I like creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere for clients and guests. I don’t have intimidating high-pressure salespeople, and there is no charge to just come and talk to me. You’ll be talking directly with the person who will actually be making your jewelry. Let’s talk about your personal style, what kind of activities you pursue, or what story you’d like the piece to tell. Let me tell you about my process, show you some of my past work, and maybe give you a peek at some of my work in progress. Gaining insights into a person’s style, lifestyle, personality, taste and preferences helps me visualize, and influences the way I approach the design.
I’ll listen. I’ll sketch. I’ll make suggestions, and point out potential challenges. Once we have roughed out our ideas together, we can start to figure out basic costs and how best to move on to the Design Phase. Because there are so many variables like choice of metal, or what type and quality of stones we’re using, I can only give a rough estimate at this point.
Questions?
If you’ve still got questions about me, what I do, or how this works, check the Contact page for frequently asked questions and, if you still aren’t satisfied, send me a message!
