Meet Our Team
At Austin Community College’s Jewelry Department, we are fortunate to have such a talented team of faculty and staff who are passionate about teaching Austin the art and science of making jewelry. Every teacher brings different skills and experiences to our team, creating a diverse and expansive learning environment. We look forward to sharing our expertise with you!
Dwayne Bandy
Jewelry Department Chair, Professor
Dwayne Bandy began his academic career at Texas A&M University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science, and began a doctorate in Nutrition, which he left to pursue his dreams of working in metal.
He came to Austin Community College in 2008 to study Art Metal, and discovered the Jewelry Department, where he earned his Associate Degree.
After finishing his studies here, he worked for a local custom jewelry shop, returning to ACC in 2015. He served the Department first in the role of lab tech, then as an adjunct professor and instructional associate. He currently serves as a full-time professor and the Department Chair.
Dwayne continued his education at Sierra Nevada University, where he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Art in Spring 2020.
Dwayne brings a unique perspective to his current role as Department Chair, based on his experiences at ACC as a student, a staff member, and an instructor, and looks forward to being part of the continued growth and development of the Department.
Instagram: @monkfishforge
Dwayne Teaches:
• Jewelry Techniques I
• Jewelry Techniques II
• Jewelry Repair/Fabrication I
• Stonesetting I
• Precious Metals I
• Precious Metals II
Chelsee Sandaker
Instructional Associate, Adjunct Professor
Chelsee has been making jewelry in some form or fashion since she was 8 years old, but it wasn’t until her early 30’s that she decided to learn traditional bench jeweler skills at ACC.
After her first class Chelsee knew she had to continue making jewelry and hoped to be part of the Jewelry Department at ACC for a long time to come. From student to hourly employee, to now Instructional Associate and Adjunct Professor, she discovered that her passion for helping and teaching students matches her love of creating jewelry.
As both Instructional Associate and Adjunct Professor, Chelsee is dedicated to helping students discover their love of learning and finding their creative voice. She particularly enjoys teaching beginners, because she knows how challenging the learning process can be.
Chelsee hopes to serve and inspire students, and she tries to help them get out of their own way because she remembers the struggles of being a beginner. Sometimes learning to be a beginner is the hardest part.
Outside of jewelry Chelsee is a professional, classically trained soprano. So, it would seem her interests, though varied, have an underlying connection of art forms that require lifelong practice and dedication that hopefully lead to mastery.
Chelsee’s motto is: Practice makes progress.
Instagram: @chanteusestudio
Chelsee Teaches:
• Introduction to Metal Engraving
Steve Kriechbaum
Adjunct Professor
Steve Kriechbaum is an award-winning goldsmith who has been in the jewelry industry since 1972. He is a board member of the Texas Jeweler’s Association and maintains an international client base. He loves teaching because of the interaction with the students, and seeing the pride on their faces once they realize what they can achieve. He is also a rockin’ harmonica player and will often inspire students with musical accompaniment as they work.
Instagram: @kriechbaumgoldsmith
Steve Teaches:
• Jewelry Techniques I
• Jewelry Techniques II
• Jewelry Repair/Fabrication I
• Stonesetting I
Rachel Pervin
Adjunct Professor
Rachel Pervin teaches both Drawing for Jewelry Design and Wax Forming. She received her BFA in studio art from the University of Texas at Austin, and has been a professional wax carver for over 30 years. She teaches students the vital skill of sketching practical custom jewelry designs using simple techniques. This aids in the design process by allowing ideas to be realized and modified on paper before work begins in wax or metal. By sketching a design first, potential design problems can often be identified and corrected very early in the overall process. She also plays the conga drums!
Rachel Teaches:
• Drawing for Jewelry Design
• Wax Modelling for Jewelry
Ricky Wilson
Adjunct Professor
Ricky Wilson has over 35 years of experience in the jewelry industry, including studying for eight years under Stanley Young, a former Tiffany’s master stone setter. He is a graduate of Paris Junior College with specializations in Horology (watch making), Stone Setting, Jewelry Repair and Gemology. He founded his company, Ricky Wilson Manufacturing, in 1989 and is also a Certified Master Bench Jeweler.
Ricky Teaches:
• Jewelry Techniques I
• Jewelry Techniques II
• Jewelry Repair/Fabrication I
• Jewelry Repair/Fabrication II
• Stonesetting I
• Stonesetting II
• Precious Metals I
• Precious Metals II
Martha Soto
Adjunct Professor
Martha Soto is one of the founding contributors to the Austin Community College Jewelry Program, now an accredited, degreed department. She has participated in the Austin Community College’s Summer Youth Program created by the Adult Continuing Education program. In addition, she has created curriculum and testing materials for Continuing Education Jewelry classes and participated in casting demonstrations at McCallum magnet school, representing Austin Community College. Apart from her time at ACC, she was a guest artist in Stan Irvin’s ceramics class at St. Edwards, teaching fabrication with minimal or handmade and found tools.
In the past, while apprenticing with some of the best jewelers in Austin, she also sold her work in galleries, shops, and juried shows around Texas. Today she is teaching jewelry making classes at Austin Community College, casting for professional jewelers, as well as working on her own unique pieces. Designing and turning those ideas into metal are what is most important to her. A deep appreciation of nature is often reflected in her work. You may see examples at GinaSotoJewelry on Instagram.
“At thirteen, and a precocious kid, Dad enrolled me in jewelry making classes at the University of Texas. My curiosity was piqued and from then on, jewelry making has captured my attention”.
“My greatest pleasure in teaching is to witness the look of discovery on the faces of students when they reveal to themselves their hidden skills, each student exhibiting varied perspectives with the same techniques”.
Instagram: @ginasotojewelry
Martha Teaches:
• Jewelry Techniques I
• Casting I
• Casting II
Rachel Teaches:
• Casting I
• Casting II
• Introduction to Computer Aided Design and Manufacture for Jewelry
Deborah Wilson Taylor
Adjunct Professor, Social Media Director
Deborah Wilson Taylor graduated with honors from the ACC Jewelry program in 2009, and spent time working in both jewelry retail and manufacturing, before pursuing her own jewelry business full time in 2012. Since then she has seen astounding growth in her business and has developed a strong internet following for her brand, Femailler. Her jewelry has also been worn on more than half a dozen mainstream TV shows, including Bones, Law & Order: SVU, and The Young & The Restless. Deborah is passionate about teaching artists to create businesses that offer meaningful value to their own lives.
Instagram: @femailler
Deborah Teaches:
• Business Practices for Artisans
Sirandyn Teaches:
• Applied Jewelry Practices
• Jewelry Techniques I
• Jewelry Techniques II
Deanna Pastel
Adjunct Professor
Deanna Pastel was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2010 she received her BFA in Jewelry/Metals at Kent State University. For two years after college, she worked for Heather B. Moore Inc. in Cleveland, OH fine-tuning her skills in soldering gold, setting stones and hand stamping. She landed in Austin, TX in 2012, and began her career as a main teacher and Studio Manager at Creative Side Jewelry Academy where she has spent five years developing core curriculum, while working closely with other master artists and her students. She continues to teach at multiple establishments around Austin and San Antonio, and has been continuing to develop her craft at her home studio for production and commission work that is sold around the greater Austin area.
Instagram: @deannapastel
Deanna Teaches:
• Jewelry Techniques I
• Casting I
• Enameling
• Metal Forming for Jewelry
• Chasing and Repoussage
Andrea De Leon
Adjunct Professor
Andrea Teaches:
• Casting I
• Casting II
Kristina Todd
Adjunct Professor
Kristina received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art (Metals/Jewelry) at Texas State University where she compiled a handout on casting stones in place and did presentations on the process. In 2009, she graduated from New Mexico State University earning a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art (Metals/Jewelry). As a graduate assistant, she assisted in teaching classes in casting, soldering, sawing, and enameling. Her academic experience includes teaching digital design at Texas State Technical College.
Outside the academic world, she has designed artwork to fit requirements of a laser machine and CNC plasma cutter, worked as Production Manager for Clint Orms Engravers and Silversmiths, designed jewelry for James Avery Craftsmen utilizing 2D and 3D CAD programs and creating new designs into wax, metal, and leather. She continues to do commissioned art pieces.
Kristina brings a unique insight to her role as Adjunct Professor based on her experience in both academic and business environments. She encourages students to thoroughly learn the techniques and processes of creating jewelry with the goal of professionalism.
Kristina Teaches:
• Jewelry Techniques I
• Casting I
• Casting II
Retired Team Members
James Lynn
Former Jewelry Department Chair, Professor
James Lynn was instrumental in starting ACC’s Jewelry Department and is currently one of the department’s two full time faculty members. He is self-taught with 40 years of experience in jewelry fabrication, and more than 20 years teaching experience. He became a Certified Master Bench Jeweler in 2000 and continues to hone his craft and develop new techniques to achieve his designs. James is proficient in the ancient technique of Mokume Gane (wood-grain metal) and will teach the technique to students if they show interest. His jewelry is heavily influenced by Art Nouveau and natural forms.
James Taught:
• Jewelry Techniques I
• Jewelry Techniques II
• Stonesetting I
• Chasing and Repoussage
• Precious Metals I
• Precious Metals II
• Enameling
Bill Evans
Former Jewelry Department Chair, Professor
Bill Evans is the former ACC Jewelry Department Chair, as well as an instructor and Certified Master Bench Jeweler. He has accumulated over 45 years of custom jewelry design experience as an independent jeweler. Bill has been the sole owner of a retail jewelry business, a trade shop bench jeweler, and the jewelry designer of custom pieces for several different retail businesses. He has been an instructor at ACC for over 20 years and continues to find reward in working with the students on their path towards a career in the jewelry industry.
Bill Taught:
• Jewelry Casting I
• Jewelry Casting II
• Metal Forming for Jewelry
Philippe Dewailly
Former Adjunct Professor
Born in Belgium, Philippe trained under the best of the Continental masters. His mother, grandfather, and their ancestors began making jewelry before the turn of the 19th century. Philippe apprenticed under the Crown jeweler to King Baudouin I of Belgium. He has helped fabricate jewelry for royalty in his homeland of Belgium and brings the knowledge of six generations of jewelers to ACC, and is also a Certified Master Bench Jeweler. Philippe views craftsmanship as the essential ingredient of fine jewelry.
Philippe Taught:
• Jewelry Techniques I
• Jewelry Techniques II
• Stonesetting I
• Stonesetting II
• Introduction to Metal Engraving