Meet Jan Stiles of Tres Elegante Designs in North Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jan Stiles.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been fascinated with design, be it cooking, interior design, structure, sculpture or clothing. My BS degree is in Architecture from the University of Michigan, so I tend to view jewelry design in three dimensions. I have been a collector of jewelry and other visual arts since age 11 when I was given my first pearl ring and at 16 when my grandmother gave me her set of Mikimoto pearls. My mother dabbled in many arts; I took up her jewelry supplies when she passed away, and it has become my passion. I started with small art shows, working my way into a variety of galleries and Studio Tours. I am now a member of On The Edge Gallery on 5th Ave in Scottsdale and my favorite studio tour is Hidden In The Hills, at Studio 44, this November 16,17, 18 & 23, 34, 25. I view art as a way to both stimulate and calm the mind as well as a means of personal expression. I am constantly exploring new materials and techniques and usually have several projects in several mediums going on at the same time. Techniques include silver reticulation (a torch process), hand sawing of metals, the application of patinas as well as hand knotting of pearls and other semi-precious stones.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No road to good design is ever smooth. Struggles include not only how to perfect techniques, but finding new techniques to produce designs that were in my head. I continue to take classes to expand my knowledge and discover new ways to use existing materials and processes. I view the artistic world as a journey; one needs to be always moving forward otherwise one is moving backward, there is no such thing as stasis. My current challenge is to continue to grow in expertise as I explore metals, yet also incorporate semi-precious stones which were my first passion.

Please tell us about Tres Elegante Designs.
Tres Elegante Designs: Very Elegant Designs. I established my jewelry design company in 2010 and it has grown every year since. Specializing in bespoke pendants, earrings and cuffs, I incorporate various metals, patinas, and semi-precious stones. I’m probably best known for my Cactus Flower Collection, which uses the skin from a dead saguaro (donated from a friend’s property) to create fine silver pendants. Because each piece of the harvested skin is so different, every resulting pendant is totally unique and three dimensional. Black, gray or peacock freshwater pearls are then incorporated for a memorable, classy look, with a “splash”! I search everywhere for organic materials to use as a base for fine silver creations. I participate in giving back in several ways. 10% of all sales go to the Diabetes Education Camp. In addition, I enjoy doing “trunk shows for charity” which are small, intimate events for small charities that typically have a hard time securing donations. I donate 25% of an event’s sales to the charity of a client’s choice.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have moved more quickly into metalsmithing. Overcoming my initial fears of using a torch has expanded my repertoire in so many ways. I now love to “play with fire” both literally and figuratively when I design new pieces! I would also have done a better job of setting up my website and learning social media platforms, about which I’m just now getting serious.

Contact Info:

• Website: treselegantedesigns.com
• Email: treselegantedesigns@gmail.com
• Facebook: Tres Elegante Designs

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