Set apart with style. Made in the USA.

The Gaston Collective offers unique and products that adorn, delight, and empower the wearer. Artisan-designed and made in America, we believe that jewelry is a simple yet meaningful way for people to tell their story through personal adornment.

The Collective brings together American suppliers and artists, supporting them with a living wage and meaningful and enjoyable work. Environmental responsibility is also a prime factor in our mission. Our jewelry is cast in a verified green, non-toxic, sustainable workshop.

In today’s ever-changing retail market, the discerning customer is turning more toward domestic goods and products. In the world of cookie-cutter mall experiences, shoppers are continually looking for that unique piece that will set them apart from the crowd.

Gaston Collective Jewelry is ready to meet that challenge by sourcing, designing, and assembling jewelry in the USA. While the designs and charms are original and proprietary to the company, many of the materials used are re purposed and recycled from other sources, thus supporting the company's commitment to preserving the environment and keeping it “green.”

Gaston Collective is a new direction for business owner Jessica Gaston. Expanding on her successful jewelry component company, Jess is poised to launch into a new market. Current trends reflect a great opportunity in the jewelry industry for well-designed, fashionable, and affordable jewelry. She is ready to meet that demand by gathering industry experts and relying on the support of her business contacts and resources collected over her 20 years in the industry.

The visionary behind Gaston Collective Jewelry is Jessica Gaston, an entrepreneur with over 20 years in the jewelry business. Always with her finger on the pulse of the fashion jewelry world, Jessica has identified a niche in the ever-growing ready-made jewelry market and is ready to take her product to a national level. She is backed by a team of dedicated jewelry designers and entrepreneurs who bring passion, imagination, and over 100 years of combined experience in the jewelry industry.

Jessica Gaston, CEO Jessica Gaston began studying the arts early, with a special affinity for painting and photography. Now, as a jewelry designer and collector, she loves seeing her ideas come to fruition in wearable art. Clients such as Betsey Johnson, Urban Outfitters and the National Gallery of Art are among those who appreciate Jess’s unique style.

Jess created her business from scratch starting in India. Every time she returns, she’s inspired all over again by the intense color palates, long and storied history of jewelry, and seeing the way the women adorn themselves. Jess is passionate about colored and organic diamonds, and mixing metals to showcase each gem’s most beautiful traits.

The best part about Jess’s work is the flexibility and creativity she’s able act on every day. She loves meeting interesting people when she travels and is happy to pass on her knowledge through her workshops.

Kate Ferrant Richbourg, Design Team Lead  Simply put, Kate Richbourg loves jewelry. She loves to teach it. She loves to make it. She loves to wear it. Teaching and designing jewelry since 1992, she teaches at national shows, bead societies, and bead shops, is published in a variety of jewelry magazines, and is the author of the popular blog We Can Make That at Home. She has also appeared on several episodes of the DIY and HGTV network shows DIY Jewelry and Craft Lab. Kate is the author of the bestselling book Simple Soldering: A Beginner’s Guide to Jewelry Making. She is the former owner of Beadissimo, a popular bead store in San Francisco, and was the Director of Education for the popular online jewelry supply website Beaducation. 

Cynthia Thornton, Design Team Cynthia Thornton is an artist with a background in painting and sculpture, with an emphasis on illustration and jewelry arts. She is the author of Enchanted Adornments and is frequently published in a variety of magazines, including Stringing, Beadwork, and Bead and Button. Cynthia has also worked as a conceptual designer for The Limited, Warner Brothers, and Disney. Her early pursuits included sculpting for a major garden art company and creating masks and props for a haunted house factory. She is the founder and co-owner of Green Girl Studios, a company featuring original designs in metal. She lives in Asheville, NC, with her husband/partner Greg and their two children.

Bob Burkett, Design Team Bob Burkett, a master wax carver, has created and designed metal jewelry for over 40 years. His work has been featured in industry magazines, galleries, and gift shops across the country including The Smithsonian. He began his career as a two-year apprentice to a German jeweler, honing his craft through self-discovery and constant design work. He is known for his realistic renderings of the figure, flora, and fauna. Bob resides in Northern California's Bay Area.

In its limited release to date, Gaston Collective Jewelry has received favorable feedback and repeat orders from customers, and now it's time to take the next step.

Initial customer contact was made earlier in 2013 at the New York, Dallas, and Atlanta gift and trade shows. There, customers ordered pieces from the line that have proved to be popular sellers and have resulted in re-orders.

The influx of Indiegogo funding is a game-changer for the company. Specifically it will be used in the following ways:

• Expansion of current inventory and design offerings
• Accelerates product production and fulfillment.
• Provides funds for advertising, dedicated website, and publicity needed to attract a wider national audience and customer base.

We are so excited about where this funding will take the company. The sky is the limit and this will boost us to new heights. In the coming weeks and months we'll post updates on our Indiegogo page and our website: www.gastoncollective.com so you can join in on this exciting journey with us.

UPDATED 12/15 New one-of-a-kind and a jewelry class perks just added. Check the gallery for images. We have some awesome perks to offer as reward for your support. All pieces are typical of the jewelry that we make at the collective, and we designed them just for this campaign.

Plus we have a SPECIAL perk for TWO ONE high-dollar supporters: An entire day of creativity with Jess, Kate, and Cynthia (and who knows who else might stop by). You choose what we'll do—paint, sculpt, learn to solder, make jewelry... the possibilities are endless. We'll create an unforgettable day just for you. We can't wait for a creativity explosion with two of our generous donors. The day is scheduled for May 2014, and we can work out the exact date to fit your schedule. (One has been claimed.) Check out this incentive, and other perks for all donation levels, on the list to your right.

If you can’t contribute, that doesn’t mean you can’t help—we appreciate help of all kinds! Be a booster of the collective and tell your friends, share it on social media and send them our way. The Indiegogo share tools make it easy to spread the word about the campaign.

Thanks so much for your support. Follow our Indiegogo page for updates about our campaign and what is happening at the collective. You can also visit our website at www.gastoncollective.com.