Grace Rank

Hi, I’m Grace Rank and I live in Enumclaw, Washington, having moved from Corpus Christi, Texas in 2021. I am an artisan jeweler, a retired nurse, a child advocate, a musician, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a greatgrandmother. The story of how I came to design and create artisan jewelry is both mystical and practical, as well as being a lesson in faith.

In 2002, my 37 year old son, Joe , was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.) At the time he was a well-respected software development scientist in Austin, Texas, was married to a school teacher, Linda, and had four children ranging in age from 2 years old to 12 years old. His prognosis was 5 to 10 years, and the family was alerted to the fact that supplies, equipment, medications, and home care were brutally expensive and not all were covered by insurance. The entire family. including Joe’s two brothers and their wives, decided to raise funds to insure that Joe would want for nothing during his journey with the illness, and each family member contributed to the effort.

My contribution was to take private and group classes in designing and handcrafting sterling silver jewelry, (a life long dream.) With the encouragement of family and friends I began to show and sell my jewelry at local galleries, fairs, markets and events. As financial demands became more burdensome for Joe and his family, the jewelry business flourished and proceeds from sales, along with other family fund-raising efforts, helped pay for equipment, medical travel, and home health care. Joe needed and wanted for nothing that money could buy. Joe lost his battle with ALS on November of 2008 leaving us with many blessings including a thriving artisan jewelry studio.

Prior to displaying at Arts Alive! I have displayed at the Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi Texas, and the Rockport Art Center in Rockport, Texas. Locally, I present demonstrations and teach jewelry fabrication classes using sterling silver and copper.

Contact Info: 361.533.2976. banglesbygrace@gmail.com

Website: www.banglesbygrace.com