Meet Maggie Bokor!

After years of exploration and travel, Maggie Bokor landed in Maine in 2006, where she started taking metal smithing classes. “Every day is an adventure in the studio,” Maggie told us, “and I never know what direction my work may go next.” Before finding her niche as a jeweler, Maggie spent time as an interior decorator, a career that followed in the footsteps of her childhood love of Legos and “anything involving making spaces.”

Maggie is passionate about creating with her hands, and teaching Nia. This “barefoot bliss” is a form of movement that combines dance, breath, and voice, and encourages self-expression. When she’s not teaching or creating, Maggie can be found on one of her daily walks in the woods with her dog, Toby, or at the beach searching for the perfect rock to bring home. She also loves dancing to live music (Maggie used to be a singer in ska bands!) and sharing a meal with good friends.

Maggie’s love of pearls and silver is evident in the jewelry she makes for Turtle Love Co. Pearls “are classy and classic, and go with anything,” Maggie says. The artisan’s love for design and her ability to take risks lends a unique flavor to her work. See for yourself!

Meet Jen Burrall!

Jen Burrall is one of our fabulous artisans. She’s from our very own hometown of Portland, Maine, with a boutique and studio in the vibrant and culturally-diverse East End/Munjoy Hill neighborhood. I’m particularly partial to the East End of our pretty peninsula—I live there, for one, but it’s also got breath-taking views of the ocean and surrounding islands, and it has the East End Observatory, a really cool structure built back in the 1800’s. Plus, the East End has tons of cool shops and restaurants and LOTS of local flavor… But more on that later!

Jen’s designs are really appealing because of their organic feel - she uses a matte finish and slight oxidation in her Hammered Silver Ring, and I love that it wears the marks of the jeweler’s hammer proudly on its sleeve, so to speak. The Nested White Pearl Ring is another gorgeous piece by Jen. It’s a popular choice for a unique engagement ring, and can be paired with the Hammered Silver Ring for an eye-catching set!

Jen grew up on the coast of Maine, and comes from a family of women artists. She’s always been inspired by the natural world, and has been making jewelry since she was a kid. She studied art and metalsmithing in college in Montana, and we’re so glad she came back to Maine to share her art with us!