As you enter Jane Bohan's studio in New York City, light and color literally stop you at the threshold. A soaring window frames the city beyond, and it's like a canvas of stone and iron with the whole sky illuminating the room and its remarkable contents: a breathtaking profusion of gems, minerals and metal, along with an array of intriguing objects that you can't identify but long to touch.

Inspiration for Jane's jewelry covers every surface, from exotic insects and architectural drawings to sculptures, fabrics and antiques. But your gaze is continually drawn back to the exquisite jewelry. Each piece is unique, singular, which is a great way to describe Jane herself. Surrounded by art and creativity since childhood -- her mother was a jewelry and metal artisan and her father collected so much art that it was often piled about their Midwestern home -- Jane developed a distinctive talent.

Jane's style evolved as she studied sculpture and jewelry-making at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), worked in the field, and honed her skills. In 1983 Jane opened a studio in the vibrant SoHo district of New York City and began crafting all of these experiences into jewelry. Each piece became infused with elements of the things Jane loves: architecture and art, nature and culture, fashion and furniture. Jane quickly attracted a following who fell in love with her jewelry's organic, urbane, yet totally feminine appeal.

Jane continues to draw inspiration and energy from the city and her travels, which are the source of new ideas and exotic bits of jewelry-to-be. With a theme in mind, perhaps a piece of art, a textile or even a leaf, Jane takes gold, gems and pearls and transforms them into distinctively beautiful jewelry.

Her timeless, heirloom-quality jewelry has been exhibited by museums and art galleries and featured in fashion magazines. She is committed to handcrafting her jewelry in America with the talent of NYC artisans. Jane enjoys living in Manhattan with her husband, television director Jean De Segonzac, and their daughter, a photography student who carries on her family's creative heritage.