Conversations with Jarrod Napierkowski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarrod Napierkowski. 

Hi Jarrod, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I started working with wood in the early 2000s and started creating wooden jewelry in earnest back in 2005. I would collect interesting pieces of wood on hikes and loved slicing in to see the beautiful color patterns and swirling grain. I started creating earrings as a side project and would bring them into work with me. I worked as a bartender at the time and would usually sell my pieces to folks bellying up to the bar for a beer or two. After continuing in the service industry for many years I realized that this was not the future I wanted and decided to go all-in on woodworking. In 2019 I threw in the towel and started pursuing this path full time. My wife and I had our first child in March of 2020 and after she navigated working from home for months, she decided it would be more fulfilling and beneficial if she were to help manage the business. This way we could both focus on our son, Apollo, to a greater extent and raise him with attentive love and care.

In a nutshell, I design and create sustainable modern jewelry from materials born in nature. I don’t use any stains or dyes in my work and much of my material is sourced from hikes in the woods with my family near our home in Ada, MI. I believe there is no greater inspiration than nature and I strive to do it justice through my work.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The main obstacle on this journey has been self-doubt and fear of the unknown. I would often ask myself if it was even possible or reasonable to try and make a living in this day and age by pursuing your passion and doing what you love?

I’ve had to learn a lot about the less creative, more logistical sides of running a small business which can be exhausting and confounding at times. That said, I really took my time to create a following for my work and I continue to take special care to ensure I create quality pieces so I have avoided many challenges that rushing into things would create.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have been creating art since I was a child but never considered myself an artist. As I continue this journey however my artistic inclinations have flourished and now, I create art every day. I always challenge myself to create new designs and patterns. I pride myself in using only natural materials in my work. I don’t stain or dye the wood in any way and only use the colors or patterning that has been created in nature. I have decided to focus primarily on earrings as I love the fact that they can be one size fits all and can be worn by anyone daring to be bold. These earrings are little pieces of wearable art and are so varied and unique they truly allow for self-expression in the wearer. I may only create one run of a particular design so you know that what you have is special and unique. I believe that my ability to flow with inspiration and change my designs really sets me apart from other ear artists. I also focus on quality and want to ensure that these pieces will last a lifetime.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I love being a father and am so thankful that this path in life has allowed me so much time with my son Apollo. He brings me boundless joy and happiness and since I work from home, I can help raise him and give him hugs and kisses whenever the mood strikes me. Even if I can’t do this forever, I am so happy that I can have this time in his formative years when our bonding, learning, and growing is truly life-changing.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: brambleswoodwork.com
• Instagram: @brambleswoodwork
• Facebook: @brambleswoodwork

Image Credits
Francesca Jasinski