Dana Giel-Ray

I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art. It was at IUP where I was first introduced to making jewelry. The experiences I had in that first class, lead to more advanced classes and eventually to a Concentration in Metals.

After college, I continued to create jewelry in various mediums. It was while I was wire wrapping, that I discovered chain maille. I had wrapped a large cabochon and needed a hefty chain for it. I didn't like the chains I saw in catalogs or any stores, so I decided to make my own. After a quick search through my college text books, I found instructions for a Byzantine weave. After making the chain, I realized that I had actually made the same chain many years ago in college. Since then, I have learned many new weaves, and went on to create several of my own: OVB lace, Double Step, and Celtic Circles.

Recently, I was re-introduced to enamelling, and it's brought me full circle to back to my roots of metalsmithing.

I am a current member of AMCAW (Alliance for Metal Clay Arts Worldwide) where I received a Certificate of Merit in 2022 for Winifred the Bat. Other organizations that I belong to are the Maille Artisans International League and past memberships in the Ohio Designer Craftsmen and Hudson Society of Artists.

My jewelry has been in several galleries across the United States, and has been sold internationally, as well. My studio is located in downtown Hudson, OH, and you are welcome to visit, ask any questions you may have about the technique or what I am working on, and choose a piece of jewelry to take home.