About the Artist
My name is Marjean Cone and I am a paleontologist currently residing in south Georgia, working in my dream job as an educator for a small museum. I grew up in the north Chicago suburbs but have bopped all over the country with various museums and paleontology digs, which have only grown my love for travel.
Ever since I was a little kid I was always creating, but only recently did I consider myself an artist. I am constantly jumping from hobby to hobby and found one that finally stuck.
My career has been studying rocks and fossils. The marks on their surface tell us the story of the earth. I like how antique flatware tells a story too. The natural tarnish; the scratch; the wear — was that spoon at the table of someone’s favorite tradition? Was that fork there for the best day of someone’s life? Was it there on the worst day?
I am excited to be officially sharing my art. Each piece is different and has its own story. I hope that you wear them down even further as they accompany you throughout your story.
The Story Behind the Name
In September 2023 I landed in a place I’d dreamed of living one day; Utah. On my first night I explored town, and ended up attending a small film festival. There was a Utah sky above me and I could see the red canyon walls meet it.
The theme of the film festival was focused on women and their journeys to make space and find belonging in the outdoors. At the end of the first film, the woman described how she knew that her life was supposed to feel worn -- well worn.
I didn’t know where I would be a year out from that night, but I knew that I wanted my life to feel worn too.
While my jewelry isn’t centered on the outdoors, the outdoors are a part of me and the metal in them came from the earth. I try to reflect this story and this name in my art by doing my best not to polish or undo the marks, varnish, or natural wear of the pieces.
Those marks are proof memories were made around a dinner table or at a party or in a room full of friends. Their wear shows where they have been.
So, there you have it; “Well Worn”.
Contact me!
Please email me if there are any questions or concerns with your order!