My name is Nina Sponseller, and I am a passionate jeweler dedicated to the art of designing and creating jewelry. My journey into this craft began in middle school when I first learned to bead earrings and simple necklaces. Driven by curiosity and a love for the art, I continued to explore and master more advanced beading techniques.

In high school, I ventured into working with pearls, teaching myself the intricate skill of knotting them. This experience solidified my passion for jewelry making. After college, I returned to Maryland to pursue this passion further. I enrolled in the Jewelry and Metalsmithing program at Towson University, where I discovered a deep interest in metalsmithing in addition to my love for beading.

After two semesters, I began an apprenticeship with a small, family-owned jewelry store, where I honed my skills under the guidance of a master jeweler. It was during this time that I learned about The New Approach School for Jewelers in Arrington, Tennessee. In June 2018, I attended their five-day Bench Jeweler Comprehensive course, where I immediately fell in love with the school and its instructors. This led me to return in the fall to complete their 12-week Graduate Bench Jewelers program, where I earned a Bench Jewelry Certificate.

During the graduate program, I mastered various stone-setting techniques and learned how to fabricate jewelry from start to finish. Since then, I have been focused on designing my own unique pieces and expanding my skills by teaching myself Computer-Aided Design (CAD). CAD has opened up new possibilities in jewelry design that go beyond traditional pen-and-paper methods.

I invite you to explore my work and hope you find inspiration in my designs.