Elizabeth (Liz) Brehmer Watts

When I was young, I had an art teacher who taught metalsmithing.  As soon as I touched metal and learned how it formed, I was hooked. When I was a teenager, my grandfather took me to the Henry Ford Museum where I saw original prototypes for all the US patents submitted from 1870 to the 1970s. He was looking for ways to solve mechanical problems as a tool and die maker. I was fascinated with mechanics and how these machines formed, stamped, and assembled metal including jewelry articles.  My love for metals led me to pursue a degree in jewelry. I moved to Florence, Italy to work with a goldsmith in Arezzo. Later, I learned tool making that led to learning repousse’ and chasing. And a full career in Jewelry manufacturing and education.

I have been fortunate to work in many different facets of the industry from bench to technical education, senior management roles focusing on product development, business management and strategic planning. There has always been something that I loved about each job; always learning has led me to many rewarding roles.  

In my 32 years attending the Santa Fe Symposium it provided a wealth of business contacts, knowledge, and friendships that have lasted! I cannot imagine not having the global sharing and connections that come with the new “The Jewelry Symposium”.