The Freeman's Story
Nestled in the heart of the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Freeman family design, create and finish beautiful gold jewelry. They embrace the natural surroundings and let the beauty inspire their classic designs. For 43 years Sharon and Jerry have been traveling the nation seeking out quality jewelry stores to showcase their work. The last 20 years their son Zac has partnered with them, creating his own style that accents Sharon and Jerry's fine craftsmanship .
Below is a step back in time, taking you back to how it all began.
Sharon Rae Saunders was born in Raton, NM. Shortly after birth, her family moved to Littleton, CO where she was raised and went to school. One early job was soldering circuit boards for Honeywell Inc. There, she honed her skill that would soon translate well to jewelry.
~1940's~
Jerry Christian Freeman was born and raised in Sherrill, NY. His family roots trace back to the Oneida Limited company. They were a premier silversmith, producing fine flatware and tableware. Growing up close to the factory he was exposed to the fine art of metal smithing and polishing.
~1960~
~1970~
Living in Southern California, Sharon opted for the alternative route from the traditional work force and began hand making earrings while sharing space at a crafts cooperative in San Diego, Ca. Along with her own work she represented all the craftsmen in the coop and took to the road to wholesale their work throughout the southwest, driving her VW bug and hitchhiking anytime the engine had blown. Some of the fine selling points of her jewelry: it was made of genuine copper, real seashells, and wooden beads soaked overnight in pachouli oil providing great fragrance. Sales were strong!
~1970~
Jerry was also living in Southern California honing his skill as a journeyman carpenter. He loved creating work with his hands. So years later when he met Sharon, it was a natural transition for him from wood to metal. Between his metal working learned at Oneida Limited and sharon's precise soldiering skills from Honeywell Inc, it was a match made in heaven.
Sharon and Jerry met in San Diego. Both wanting a life of travel and adventure. They saw that designing and making jewelry would provide this life style. They took to the road to wander and discover the meaning of life, art and sharing it with others. As they pitched their tent and lit the campfire at the end of the business day, they basked in their success of the little money earned. Traveling the country, sharing the adventures with friends and family, they built their business to fulfill their passion of adventure.
Jerry and Sharon married in San Diego, then they packed up their 1954 bread delivery truck and headed east to find their homestead.
While driving around New England, Sharon being almost 9 months pregnant, they settled in beautiful central Vt just in time to give birth to their son Zachary. On a hillside homestead in Braintree, they set up their workshop in the old ‘54 bread truck, planted a garden and started to build their new chapter of life. Zac was barely a week old when they packed up their old van with food and tools, to keep the van rolling, and headed out on a sales trip.
~1974~
~1976~
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1977
Today
Upon taking Zac to Disney World one time, they had a magical moment. They discovered their line of jewelry was nice enough to approach the buyers to see if they were interested. After a year of persistence and over 100 calls to Disney©, they finally landed an appointment. With a baby in tow, they ventured to Florida for their first appointment. Disney© said yes and with that, the Freemans started designing and handcrafting silver jewelry for Walt Disney World©.
Jerry and Sharon Freeman incorporated into J & S Freeman Ltd.
​
~1981~
~1978~
~1982~
J&S Freeman transitioned from making their work in copper & silver and took the huge step into 14K gold.
J&S Freeman was hand fabricating Disney© character jewelry along with their regular line and soon found the demand was too high and they needed to start casting. Many craft stores were also evolving, finding success and transitioning into becoming some of the finest jewelry stores in America. They have continued selling to many of them for decades, developing long standing friendships.
~1990~
~1995~
Zac graduated high school and moved west to chase his dream of being a ski bum. One winter, shortly after his move, he needed money for a ski pass and asked his folks about designing and making jewelry as a way to make enough for his pass. He designed a couple of pieces for Disney©, which they loved, and he was hooked! Shortly after that he joined the family business, allowing him to tap into his creative side and loved the lifestyle it would soon provide him. Traveling around the west combining work and play...the perfect fit!
The Freeman's opened new accounts across
the country and continued to make new
designs to add to their line.
~'95-'00's~
Zac moved home to Vermont to help grow the family business. He has since married a wonderful woman, Shannon Freeman, a GIA Gemologist, Appraiser and Jeweler in her own right.
~2005~
~2008~
Zac embarked on a lifelong dream of building his own house. He took the challenge to another level by hand building a hardwood timberframe. The frame is full mortise and tenon joinery, no nails. He harvested a lot of the trees himself from local landowners. Pairing his artistic jewelry design skill with years of carpentry, allowed him to successfully build his magnificent home on a mountaintop piece of land in Vermont.
Zac and Shannon's handbuilt timberframe home
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After hand making jewelry for Disney© for 29 years, J & S Freeman Ltd. knew they needed larger manufacturing capacity for the growing Disney© account. They were able to negotiate a partnership with Stuller Inc. and it was off and running. Together, they design and manufacture the Disney Dream Collection©. It is Disney’s© signature line of high-end jewelry, which sells online and in the theme parks.
~2007~
~2016~
In 2016 Zac and Shannon welcomed their first child into the world, Asher Freeman. Jerry and Sharon are over the moon excited to be grandparents!
Asher Freeman
Shannon, Zac, Asher and Roux hiking in the Green Mountains of Vermont
Today, J & S Freeman Ltd continues to build their line of jewelry throughout their network of national customers. They are always seeking out new beautiful jewelry stores to sell their work in. The Disney© account has been a mainstay for the Freeman’s and continues to grow. They are always creating new designs and looking to what the future will bring!
~2017~
Zac, Sharon and Jerry Freeman