ITS A FAMILY AFFAIR
Dana had a vision in 1988 to open a gallery to feature handcrafted gifts and jewelry by artist local to global. She started by offering custom designed jewelry and worked from her home for two years. She opened Art Of It All on College Ave. in 1990. In 1996 she moved to Clayton Street and Athena Jewelers, the art of it all was born. Chelsea was 2 years old and Hunter was a new born when the gallery was founded. The children grew up in the gallery and have been there through all the phases of growth. All Jewelry made by our artists is available online and custom designs are welcome by appointment. Without the support of a great team and a wonderful family Athena could not be what it is today. Thank you for supporting the arts in Athens and the USA. www.athenajewelers.com
Francois G. Frogg
Click me to see more photos
Francois is a silent but integral part of our business here in downtown Athens. Whether he’s greeting customers or just striking a pose for group photos, Francois keeps everyone smiling here at Athena Jewelers. You may recall seeing him in the newspaper a few years ago fighting for the right of free expression here in Athens, Ga. If you have photos of yourself and the frog send them to our email address to be posted on our website and/or placed on our new wall of fame in the gallery. Our address is athenajewelers@gmail.com (click on Francois to see more photos in our friends of frog gallery)
Become friends of Francois G. Frogg on Facebook today!
Dana Lea
I am a third generation craftsman. I feel I must be one of the luckiest people in the world because I get to do what I love and support my family. My beginnings as a jeweler in 1978 were with my mother, Patricia Duke, who taught jewelry design at TSU in Troy, Alabama. It was then I realized my true calling and to her I say thanks. In 1983 I studied under the association of British Craftsmen in Germany. I returned to the United States in 1987 to continue my career and studies under Gary Nofke at the University of Georgia in Athens. It was during this time that I was invited to be the assistant jeweler to Heikkii Seppa, Mary Ann Scherr, John Cogswell and Marvin Jensen at Pendland School of Craft in North Carolina. I later met Rob Jackson and regard him as one of the most talented and humble jewelers I have ever met. After my studies I continued my career as a bench jeweler, which led to opening my own jewelry repair studio in 1989 and later The Art Of It All, now Athena Jewelers in 1990. I have continued my education working with my Computer Aided Design program and mill (CAD/CAM) to create jewelry using the newest technology in jewelry design.
Sydney our gallery dog - she is a little red min pin who loves children and will greet you with a wag of her stubby little tail. Watch out for puppy kisses!
