Meet the Maker

I'm Amber Joy, the designer and maker behind Joyful Jewels NW.

What began as a way to reconnect with creativity after becoming a mother has grown into a steady, evolving practice. I work in silver, gold, and natural stones — shaping each piece by hand in small batches or as one of a kind.

This summer that practice found a permanent home. I'm now working out of Riveted, a co-op jewelry studio I opened with fellow metalsmith Cindy Proctor at 1157 NE Lafayette Ave in McMinnville, Oregon — next to Mac Market, in a pocket of the city that feels like it's becoming something. A gathering place for makers and artists with deep roots in the region.

Riveted is a space for all things jewelry: to learn, buy, repair, and commission. It's a working studio first — you'll find us at the bench, not behind a counter — and a place for the community second. If you're local, come find us in person.

Most days I work while my children are at school. There's a rhythm to it — time to focus, experiment, and refine. I'm often drawn to the moment when a piece begins to resolve, when the composition settles and everything feels balanced.

Amber wearing flameball pearl earrings and silk knotted pearl necklace

I'm especially interested in stones with movement — polychromatic materials, subtle shifts in color, or unexpected textures. I'm drawn to pieces that feel alive, and I enjoy elevating stones like agate and jasper, allowing their natural patterns to take the lead.

Lately I've been exploring new techniques, including carving wax forms and casting them in metal. Learning something new — and getting it right — is one of the most rewarding parts of the process.

You can find my work at Riveted, online here, and at select maker events throughout the Pacific Northwest — especially in and around Yamhill County.

Custom Work

Custom pieces often begin with something familiar—a design you’ve seen here, reworked in a different size or with a stone that better suits you.

I also offer more collaborative projects, where you can choose from my collection of stones and we shape a piece together, drawing from forms and details across my work. These pieces evolve through conversation and material, resulting in something personal and one of a kind.

If you have something in mind, I’m always open to starting the conversation.