About Us
Tim and Lucy Timmerman are both goldsmiths by trade and have come from very different backgrounds. Tim discovered his love of metalwork in high school and immediately upon graduation he started asking at different jewelry stores what school they recommended he attend to learn the trade. Without fail they all said "Go see Gig Parker". He walked into Gig Parker's and once again asked which school was the best one for him to learn the trade and Gig's reply was "Go in the back and put on an apron". His apprenticeship began that day and lasted quite a few years. The goldsmiths at Gig Parker's were a group of World War 11 vets that did wholesale repair work for most of the retail jewelry stores in Tacoma. They schooled him in all of the old tried and true ways of repair work as well as entertaining him with old time jokes and war stories. It was hard work but very satisfying. He has worked in the jewelry industry for the past 30 years exploring other aspects of metal work such as sword restoration and Samurai sword part reproduction. This avenue of work was the inspiration for one of Tim's line of jewelry. It includes Menuki pins, earrings or tie tacks and Kashira pendants.
Lucy has owned a beading business, worked for small businesses, and attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco in the early 90's. She worked for a local Olympia jewelry store as a goldsmith and designer for the last 8 years and this is where she and Tim met and married. Lucy saw her business sense and ability to be creative as a great combination with Tim's work ethic and skills. It was the perfect formula to open a business with. So in November of 2008 they opened the Octopus Garden Jewelry and Gift Gallery.
