About Amanda
Amanda grew up on the rugged coast of Maine, where the power of the natural world became the lens through which she sees everything. That relationship with nature — its textures, its weight, its ability to outlast us — runs through every piece she makes.
When she discovered that one of her ancestors was a swordmaker in Japan in the early 1500s, something clicked into place. The impulse to work metal with intention, to make objects that carry meaning across generations, wasn't new. It was inherited.
Now working from her Los Angeles studio, Amanda creates one-of-a-kind jewelry and wearable art that sits at the intersection of sculpture and adornment. Each piece is fabricated by hand using traditional metalsmithing techniques, sterling silver, 14K gold, and stones chosen with extraordinary care — sourced with intention and cleared and charged before they ever meet metal. Amanda believes stones carry energy from the earth through every hand they pass through, and that a finished piece holds all of it.
Her studio practice is inseparable from her spiritual life — informed by years of meditation, Reiki, and training as a trauma-informed meditation and EFT tapping teacher. When she talks about wanting wearers to feel the intention and the magic in her pieces, she means it literally. Every piece is made to be worn, to accumulate meaning, and to outlast the moment it was made in.
Amanda holds a BFA in Metals from Syracuse University and has spent 25 years deepening her practice through study with master metalsmiths and continued exploration across sculpture and mixed media. Her work is held in private collections around the world.
She believes jewelry is one of the oldest forms of human storytelling. Her pieces are built to keep telling stories long after she's gone.
Brand Values
AKL is committed to treading more gently on this planet — through every decision made in the studio and beyond.
What that looks like in practice:
- Thoughtful packaging. AKL chooses materials that are reused, recycled, or compostable.
- Recycled and responsibly sourced metals. AKL works with recycled metals whenever possible and partners with suppliers who share a commitment to sustainable, eco-conscious practices.
- Handmade, local, and American made. Every piece is created in small batches — generating less waste and supporting the local economy.
- Relationships built over decades. Responsible sourcing is an ongoing journey. AKL has cultivated deep relationships with suppliers, cutters, and miners — many of whom have been trusted partners for over 15 years.
- Diamonds with a past life. AKL uses post-consumer recycled diamonds repurposed from vintage jewelry, alongside ethically sourced stones. As knowledge and options grow, so does the commitment to doing better.
At AKL, responsibility doesn't stop at sourcing — it extends into the community through volunteer work and charitable donations.
