Thomas Mann Studio

Thomas Mann is a metal artist best know for his Techno.Romantic Jewelry Objects™. Originally from Pennsylvania, the artist exhibited his work at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1977 and has called New Orleans home ever since.

“I describe myself as an artist working in the medium of jewelry. This is an important distinction because I made a conscientious decision in the late 70s not

to use precious gems or metals in my work. I wanted to experience a freedom of expression in the medium that I felt those materials would limit. That decision has made all of the difference and is the core issue in the development of my success as an artist. Our jewelry enterprise, Thomas Mann Design Inc., employs 14 people to make and market the work I design through our wholesale and retail businesses. Our retail gallery, Gallery I/O, celebrated its 20th year of operation in 2008. Our e-commerce website, www.thomasmann.com, has been in operation now for more than ten years. We exhibit my work at major art and craft show events across the country. I also teach hands-on and artist entrepreneur workshops. We developed the brand Thomas Mann studioFLUX™ for my teaching enterprise. With this brand, we are now reaching out to the home crafting industry offering do-it-yourself jewelry making kits and how-to videos and books. You’ll notice that I say ‘our’ and ‘we’ because the jewelry business is a group effort and our little group qualifies as an extended family. I couldn’t do it with out them, though sometimes I think they could do it without me! We encourage everyone on our team to have input in the design process. Even our apprentices may have an angle we haven’t thought of and in this economic environment when we’re basically surfing the economy, multi-tasking at a rapid rate and working twice as hard to make the same money, every idea could make the difference.”