A Manipulation of Metal
Allen Jacobsen began working with metals during his time in Norway, where he worked the torch to construct whaling ships and harpoons. His experience manipulating metals granted him a U.S. patent in 1964. As a swim coach for a college preparatory school, he constructed an in-water resistance training device that was made by hand using light metals. While working on this project a friend of Jacobsen’s asked him to make her a bracelet. “I didn’t consider making jewelry until that moment,” recalls Allen. What’s unique about the Jacobsen’s jewelry is their self-developed technique, which omits the use of castings. Allen explains, “We take great delight in blending the different colors and shades that each metal gives off as it is worked.”

Creative Blessings
About 31 years ago, Allen expressed himself by hand-sculpting a bracelet that his mother placed in the window of her store. An editor of Vogue Magazine spotted it and, before he knew it, he was being “discovered” by a famous jewelry designer in New York City. His work has since appeared on the cover of McCall’s Magazine. The Jacobsen’s most requested piece of jewelry for over 20 years–the cuff bracelet–was originally made for actress Cheryl Ladd. Allen and Mumin Jacobsen are inspired by the beauty, shape, and designs that surround them. “Each piece is a creative blessing and becomes our favorite until the next one is created,” Allen says.