Paula Dawkins is co-owner and the lead designer goldsmith at Jewels That Dance. Paula is known for her stunning imaginative jewelry designs and her uncanny ability to create exactly what suits each individual customer.
Her skill is innate. When she is away from the store, Paula likes to ride around on her tractor and play farmgirl, her diamonds glistening in the sunshine.
Read more about Paula and learn about her custom design services.
Carol Schniedewind is co-owner of Jewels That Dance, and she manages every aspect of the business with a velvet glove, making sure customers receive excellent care by training all of us to her high standard. Carol came to the business thinking she would work for 6 months before continuing in the mental health field, but she’s still here. Taking advantage of her newly discovered free time after seeing her daughter off to college, Carol rekindles herself walking in the woods and by the river.
Marlene has been an integral part of the Jewels That Dance family for 25 years. At an early age, her love for jewelry and her impeccable customer service led her to choose a career in the jewelry business. This passion still continues: she is the store manager and, along with Paula, is the buyer for Jewels That Dance. In her spare time she loves to cook, travel, compete in triathlons and marathons, but most of all, spend time with her husband, David. They have one beloved dog named Bailey and 2 wonderful kitties, Olive and Jackson.
Pete is a Master Jeweler who brings over 30 years experience here to Jewels That Dance. He is an advanced diamond setter and high-end jewelry fabricator. He and his incredible wife, Tracy, have two wonderful children, Alex and Joey. In his spare time, he spends time with his family doing various activities including traveling, boating on Lake Keowee, and attending local baseball games.
Kristen has a love of everything that sparkles and has her entire life, so when a position opened at Jewels That Dance, she jumped on it! Kristen has a background in art, sales and management and, with her outgoing personality; she looks forward to helping customers find the perfect piece of jewelry. In her spare time she enjoys meandering about town, hiking, horseback riding, and traveling the world.
Susan brings her many talents to Jewels That Dance, both in the showroom and through stringing many of our beautiful strands of dazzling gemstones and diamonds. When she is not here, her interests involve teaching raw and vegan food classes, painting, tai chi, and dancing with Christine Garvin Dance and Transform.
Tori has always had a love for the mountains and found her way here from South Carolina by joining our incredible showroom sales staff! While attending college for art, she worked in the jewelry business and fell in love with helping people express themselves through their adornments. As an avid hiker, she spends her time off finding new trails with her retriever mix, Thor.
Patti is a recent Long Island, NY transplant to be closer to family with 20 years of administrative and retail jewelry experience. She feels fortunate to be able to put her knowledge of the jewelry industry to good use as our office administrator. When she is not here, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as, exploring the nature we have in the beautiful WNC area.
Dan previously studied creative writing before switching to art. He taught himself the craft of jewelry making, and has spent the better part of the past ten years in his home studio designing and creating jewelry before joining our team as a bench jeweler. When he isn’t at his bench, he enjoys mountain biking, seeing live music, and most things Asheville.
Mike is the newest addition to Jewels That Dance! While studying Fine Art and Design at the University of Kansas he worked at his Uncle’s jewelry store. His 7 year apprenticeship sparked a life long interest in Metalsmithing. After living in Charleston for several years, his family decided to move to Asheville, their favorite getaway spot. In his spare time he enjoys building guitars and kayaking the local rivers.