About Jeep Collins

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Jewelrymaker, Author, Son of Enid and Frederic Collins

When Jeep’s eyes opened in this life, the face he saw was his mother Enid. To him, she was just “Mimi”. In this story, he recalls the ranch in Medina, Texas, the intimate moments of family, life, work and art. His stories and memories have been augmented by the firsthand accounts of others in Enid’s life, the people who worked with her and for her in the business, her mentors, and her confidants.

After a hard-headed and self-proclaimed “rebellion” against all he had known in life, Jeep spent several years serving in the US Marine Corps.

Eventually, Jeep found his way back into the arts. His hands, deft and skilled by training, interest, and excellent genetic history, ventured into making jewelry. Soon after, he came to know Jesus Christ as his Savior.

“From that time on, crosses and other Christian symbolism became the focus of my designs. In the beginning I worked by myself and the quality of my work was important to me. It wouldn’t do to make jewelry that represented Christ be of inferior workmanship. I had an eye for detail, and was naturally gifted with my hands so my work began to improve. The early forged, somewhat crude pieces, which I personally liked, began to take on a finer quality. Made by hand, each piece was unique. When I designed a piece that I particularly liked, I wanted to duplicate it; so I made patterns. Even in this, each piece was a little different.”

Jeep went on to build a business that spanned the country, employed many, and endured for more than 48 years. Today, his workshop has become like the one in the beginning — small and simple. He has turned his attention to ministry, working his land, and writing. He and his wife, Dana, live a full life in Fredericksburg, Texas.