Exquisite Jewelry From Oxford Artist Meets Individual Passions

Metals artist Dane Noonan has called Oxford home for more than seven years.
Moving to Oxford has become a family affair within the Noonan family. His brother, Brice Noonan, led the way from Naples, Fla., when he landed a job as a biology professor at Ole Miss. Dane followed, and shortly after their father as well. All three family members have been here since. And now, their mother is in the process of building a house and planning her move too.
It was also within his family that Dane found his passion for working with metals. His father, John Noonan, is a wood worker, who makes signs and custom-carved pieces, and even an artistic table that won 2nd place at a Powerhouse show a few years back.

In 2001, John and Dane decided to attend a week-long Intro to Metals workshop at the Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Dane considered it more of a father/son retreat than anything else. But what he discovered was a passion that didn’t end when he returned home.
He started making simple chain link work, and since then has built his own metal working studio here in Oxford using many types of beads and metals to design eclectic and ornate works.
His latest project will connect with many folks during the spring and summer months — weddings! A bride with distinct interests and passions, JoLynn Wells, wanted a special and memorable gift and accessory for her bridesmaids to wear and keep.

JoLynn will be marrying local musician and Ole Miss alum Bill Perry in a ceremony this Saturday at Woodson Ridge Farms. She and Dane started working together a few months ago to create pieces for each maid, choosing specific color stones and metals for each. The ideas start in the sketch booth and evolve into 3D works of art.
Dane has been a waiter at Bouré for about three years, but wants to spend more time creating works with metal. He has been involved, on and off, with the local Maker’s Market and is always open to commissions. His dream would be to develop a co-op to share space with other metal and jewelry enthusiasts that could even develop into a place where the public could rent time/space/equipment for their own creations. He dreams of running workshops and classes some day too. After all, that’s how Dane got his start.
To get in touch with Dane, email him at noonan0914@gmail.com

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Story, video and photos by Sarah Beth Wiley Smith, hottytoddy.com creative director. To contact Sarah Beth about this story, email sb.wiley@hottytoddy.com