“The solar was at all times shining in it after I walked previous after faculty, and the show captured my curiosity,” Huffman stated.

Intrigued, he quickly started partaking the enterprise house owners in dialog.

“After some time [the business owner] stated, ‘You’re in right here a lot I want to present you a job since you’re taking on an excessive amount of of my time in any other case,’” Huffman stated.

The store’s proprietor, Tony Rehan, grew to become his jewellery arts mentor, instructing Huffman expertise similar to carving wax fashions utilized in making jewellery. Huffman strengthened his expertise by attending the Gemological Institute of America in California, the place he graduated with a jewellery arts diploma in 1985.

Huffman has been within the jewellery enterprise since then, and in 1995, he started a working relationship with Jack and Sharon Winfield, house owners of Winfield’s Jewellery. When the couple retired in 2018, Huffman purchased the Richardson enterprise and renamed it Huffman Jewellery. Huffman stated he typically has {couples} on the lookout for engagement rings or individuals who have inherited jewellery that they want repurposed. Nonetheless, he stated he has acquired requests similar to turning gun shell casings into rings, making hat pins for canine trainers, {custom} stomach button rings and extra.

In the course of the fall, Huffman stated a number of his time is spent working behind the counter serving to clients, however in the summertime, he’s principally be discovered at his in-store workbench designing and making jewellery to replenish stock. He made the a lot of the items on show, together with gadgets that includes platinum, turquoise, malachite and extra.

Huffman stated his favourite factor about proudly owning this enterprise is making jewellery.

“I like making stuff folks may have lengthy after I’m gone,” Huffman stated. “I are inclined to make issues which can be substantial, well-made and I do know will final.”

Huffman Jewellery

129 N. Plano Street, Richardson. 972-235-2871. www.huffmanjewelrytexas.com

Hours: Tue.-Wed., Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thu. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Solar.-Mon.