Our Story
Sonya Coulson Rook, GIA AJP
I've always loved making and creating, spending most of my childhood covered in finger paint and glue, while surrounded by pipe cleaners, googly eyes and construction paper. I fell in love with metal while studying art at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. After two somewhat disastrous semesters of ceramics classes, my professor suggested that I take a metals course. I hadn't considered the media before, but decided to give it a try. The first time I picked up the hammer, I was hooked and haven't looked back since. After school I worked as an apprentice to a bench jeweler repairing jewelry and sizing rings. When that opportunity ended, I was blown off course and found my self stuck in a retail management job that I was not at all suited for. Making jewelry, clothing and painting in my free time was a much needed creative escape, and while I had sold a few pieces at a couple of stores and galleries in my hometown, I hadn't seriously pursued my passion. That changed in 2006 when I found the motivation I needed to start a part time business. I set up a tiny workspace in our one bedroom apartment, opened up an Etsy shop and applied to a local craft show. While I had vague dreams of making a little extra money and filling the void in my soul, I could not imagine that the course of my life had just changed. Over the years Metamorphosis Metals grew and I was able to work less and less hours at my day job, until eventually making jewelry became my day job. I moved the studio out of the apartment in 2010 and into a space in The Carter Building in downtown Raleigh. {14 Glenwood Ave, Studio 24} Over the years I have continued to develop and expand my skill set with a focus on fabrication techniques, stone setting and hand engraving.
Training & Certifications:
BFA Metal Design- East Carolina University- 2001
Stone Setting Comprehensive- New Approach School for Jewelry- 2018
Jewelry Engraving- GRS Training Center- 2019
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Applied Jewelry Professional- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Jewelry Essentials- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Colored Stone Essentials- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Diamond Essentials- 2020
Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA)- Certified Pearl Specialist- 2020
I've always loved making and creating, spending most of my childhood covered in finger paint and glue, while surrounded by pipe cleaners, googly eyes and construction paper. I fell in love with metal while studying art at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. After two somewhat disastrous semesters of ceramics classes, my professor suggested that I take a metals course. I hadn't considered the media before, but decided to give it a try. The first time I picked up the hammer, I was hooked and haven't looked back since. After school I worked as an apprentice to a bench jeweler repairing jewelry and sizing rings. When that opportunity ended, I was blown off course and found my self stuck in a retail management job that I was not at all suited for. Making jewelry, clothing and painting in my free time was a much needed creative escape, and while I had sold a few pieces at a couple of stores and galleries in my hometown, I hadn't seriously pursued my passion. That changed in 2006 when I found the motivation I needed to start a part time business. I set up a tiny workspace in our one bedroom apartment, opened up an Etsy shop and applied to a local craft show. While I had vague dreams of making a little extra money and filling the void in my soul, I could not imagine that the course of my life had just changed. Over the years Metamorphosis Metals grew and I was able to work less and less hours at my day job, until eventually making jewelry became my day job. I moved the studio out of the apartment in 2010 and into a space in The Carter Building in downtown Raleigh. {14 Glenwood Ave, Studio 24} Over the years I have continued to develop and expand my skill set with a focus on fabrication techniques, stone setting and hand engraving.
Training & Certifications:
BFA Metal Design- East Carolina University- 2001
Stone Setting Comprehensive- New Approach School for Jewelry- 2018
Jewelry Engraving- GRS Training Center- 2019
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Applied Jewelry Professional- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Jewelry Essentials- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Colored Stone Essentials- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Diamond Essentials- 2020
Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA)- Certified Pearl Specialist- 2020
photo by Chris Seward with The News & Observer
Jackey Rook, GIA AJP
Jackey joined the team in 2012 and has been with Metamorphosis Metals full time since 2014. His bold, geometric design aesthetic provides the perfect balance to my delicate, organic sensibilities. He runs the supply shop and makes many of the components for our production line. Over the years he has taken various workshops in lapidary, casting and fabrication and earned his Applied Jewelry Professional diploma from the GIA in 2020
Training & Certifications:
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Applied Jewelry Professional- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Jewelry Essentials- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Colored Stone Essentials- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Diamond Essentials- 2020
Jackey joined the team in 2012 and has been with Metamorphosis Metals full time since 2014. His bold, geometric design aesthetic provides the perfect balance to my delicate, organic sensibilities. He runs the supply shop and makes many of the components for our production line. Over the years he has taken various workshops in lapidary, casting and fabrication and earned his Applied Jewelry Professional diploma from the GIA in 2020
Training & Certifications:
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Applied Jewelry Professional- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Jewelry Essentials- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Colored Stone Essentials- 2020
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)- Diamond Essentials- 2020
In the Area?
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Studio Location: open by appointment
14 Glenwood Ave, Studio #24 Raleigh, NC 27616 Classes: Want to create your own piece of jewelry? We offer a variety of workshops for individuals and small groups. Most workshops will take 2-4 hours to complete. All tools and materials provided. Contact us to schedule a time. Custom Orders: Have an idea for something special? We would love to create a custom piece for you. Submit inquiries through the contact form or email to mail[at]metamorphosismetals.com. |
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