Mel Stiles – Stubborn Jewelry Design

Melissa went to school and got her degree in architecture because someone told her she'd never be able to do it. She feels that the discipline really suited her personality and she enjoyed the struggle, the sleep deprivation, and learning to have a critical eye. She graduated from Penn State University in 1996, and moved forward, seeking a climate change.

While working as an architect, Melissa took a metalsmithing class and began designing jewelry in her garage. At some point, she realized that she liked making jewelry a lot more than her day job, and Stubborn Works Jewelry was born! Melissa now lives in Portland, Oregon. She is no longer an architect, but still stubborn and still making jewelry!