Tanya Villegas
Owner / Graduate Jeweler Gemologist (GIA). Resident Graduate from Gemological Institute of America-Santa Monica, CA.
Over 30 years of Experience Customer Service, Jewelry Design, wax carvings, stone setting, bead stringing and Jewelry Appraisals for Insurance Purposes.
Tanya started working in the industry with her Father (Ruben) over 30 years ago. Not only does she have the experience to Manufacture her customer’s jewelry, She has an eye for detail that enables her to help her customer’s design one of a kind pieces.
Karmin Peterson
Head Bench Jeweler and CAD Designer
Karmin has been involved in the arts since childhood and made his first jewelry piece in 1979. In 1989, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he apprenticed in sculpture using wood and stone with metal and stone inlay. He then moved on to gain experience in wax carving, lost wax casting, and fabrication with special interest in multi metal use, stone setting and repoussage, selling his work at art shows, galleries and shops in New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona.
In 2009, Karmin became the head bench jeweler, problem solver, and CAD designer for Willamette Artisans. He continued his education in 2012 by completing a course at the Matrix Training Academy. Today he continues, as an integral part of the team, to make jewelry out of his love for creating art and fulfilling people’s dreams.
Donnie Freeman
Bench Jeweler Specializing in Fabrication
Donnie’s Jewelry experience all started helping a friend, an Independent Jeweler, in his shop. Odd jobs turned into serious training. Shaping unique, one-of-a-kind-pieces, drawing fine wire, and making handcrafted necklaces and charms were a few of the skills he picked up over this eleven year apprenticeship. Now teamed up with his new friends at Willamette Artisans Jewelry, he is bringing those and other skills including laser welding repair and fabrication, to help create more beautiful jewelry for you.
Matthew Slade
Management / Geologist / Graduate Gemologist*
Matthew is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has a Bachelors Degree in Geology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and is currently training to become a GIA Certified Gemologist.
His curiosity for fine jewelry was cultivated while collecting high-end mineral specimens and gemstones alike. As his collection grew so did his passion for jewelry. This eventually lead him to joining Willamette Artisans Jewelry and Design in 2021.
Lea Rhame
Apprentice Jeweler
Lea’s love for metal work began while studying Fine Arts at the University of North Carolina at Asheville where she specialized in sculpture and ceramics. After working as a chef for many years, she rekindled her passion for metal fabrication as an apprentice for Grace Jewelers of Black Mountain North Carolina. A recent transplant to the Eugene area, Lea continued her apprenticeship in 2019 by joining the team at Willamette Artisans and is currently specializing in wax technique, ring sizing, and various general repairs.