About Allida
 

I am Jennie Allida Dickenson. This collection of jewelry is what I wanted to make first after a long hiatus from my tools. I have decided to dedicate myself to my talents and put them to use. I recently stepped back from some aspects of my day job. I will no longer be wrangling rattlesnakes and hugging trees; though I will continue to catch and band the birdies. I loved my job with Raven Environmental services and am glad to attend some of the adventures still. This foray into full time metalsmith and creator is exciting and nerve inducing. I had to overcome little negative imposter syndrome thoughts (thinking: do I still remember how to make jewelry? LOL).  Of course I remember, it’s like riding a bike. I first started making jewelry in a high school class taught by Syd Miller. She taught me everything I needed to know to get a job my freshman year of college as the metalsmithing studio aide at the Evergreen State College.  When I transferred to Great Basin College I picked up being a studio aide there under Gail Rappa, an excellent studio art jeweler from Tuscarora. 

Starting at 16 my smithing career has been long but not dazzling or dripping in gems. I have mostly worked extremely long hours in food service, or for the last three years as a professional adventurer. The end goal has always been to have time in a studio to make jewelry! Nonetheless a roof over my head, bills paid and food in my belly. From the awkward homeless in a tree house stage, to renting basement rooms, to renting studio space in San Francisco at Scintillant Studios while also affording a room in Bernal heights, living off my bike, to my parents house, illegally living in my coffeeshop/restaurant, the haunted campaign cabin and the airstream land yacht live/work situation... I bought a house in Trinity, Texas and finally made it. 

Putting together the studio has been a joy. I managed throughout the years to collect a serviceable set up of tools inherited, gifted, garage sale, and the Navajo reservation. (Shout our to rio grande for the chemicals and wire!) David built me a solid workbench. He says he is going to “Henry Ford” my studio for me and has set up his drill press for me in the handiest way. I have always tried to mark what little jewelry I have made through out the years with my name and/or the year. Some good years were ‘08,’10,’14. Though there is at least one from every year between ‘04 and now finally ‘21. With the exception of 2020 because I was ridiculously busy and my studio was in boxes. 

As for this collection of what I have made when finally able to create.... the bronze back of the belt buckle is stamped 2018! And I added a bit to it to reflect that I finished it in 2021. Making these rings has given me a lot of hope and joy. I have healed a lot in the two weeks of time I have had to create; mind, body and spirit. I know the collection reflects that with the stones I chose to use out of my massive rock collection. It’s the rebirth of my dream and the first evidence. Every bit of it I want to keep but I can’t have a ring on every finger and still make bling, nor can my ears sag under such weight. 

It gives me joy to see my friends decked out in my creations. Thank you to all who have purchased my jewelry, thanks to all my collectors and thank you to those who find the simple beauty in my sturdy rough hewn world. 

Jennie Allida Dickenson

Aliases: 

Allida 

Allida’s Bare Bones and Big Rocks

The Vortexan

Allidascope