A St. Augustine jewelry manufacturer was recognized for his work in the PBS series "American Craft".

The focus of this episode is jewelry—"the history, artistry, and influence of personal decoration"—and introduces several jewelry manufacturers from all over the country, including Gabriel Gould, a resident of St. John's County.

Gould uses feathers, shells, pearl eggs and various other natural elements to create "natural inspiration" works in his studio near Charlotte Street.

"It's an honor," Gould said of his performance on the show. "Anyway, I am definitely a big fan of this show, so when they called me, I was shocked."

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The episode can now be watched at craftinamerica.org/episode/jewelry. 

The show will be broadcast on JaxPBS (also known as WJCT-TV) on December 13th at 4 am and December 26th at 5 pm. 

She said the crew filmed Gould in her studio in June. 

According to the organization's website, Craft in America is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing "original handcrafted works" through programs in all media, including the PBS documentary series, exhibitions, and other publications and programs. This award-winning series began airing in 2007 and has attracted audiences across the country. 

Everything Gould makes is handmade, not like metal casting. She starts with drawing and uses various materials and tools (such as saws, flashlights, and mandrels) to shape, shape, and connect these parts. 

When not in her shop, Gould and her husband lived on South Pontevedra Beach, and walked regularly along the coastline, collecting shells along the way. Some local materials entered her work. 

Gould said: "We live in the interior, I just get inspiration from the shells on the beach." "So many of my works are natural elements I found."

She would take a shell and "elevate it by mixing it with pearls and different gems." She called it a "tattoo" shell.

In addition to shells, other materials in her work include enamel paint, silver, gold, pearl eggs, shark teeth, and feathers of pet birds such as parakeets, parrots and cockatoos. Although she bought some feathers, many of them were sent to her.

"All my feathers come from pet birds that molt naturally-of course there is no harm or anything.... I have friends who send me their feathers from all over the country," she said. "I will receive a package in the mail. They may have an aviary. Or I have a great person who can help...save the injured birds, so she sent me the feathers."

Some of her works are "simile and narrative works inspired by nature". Some metal pieces that are small enough to be placed in the palm of the hand are made into the shape of a bird, and when opened, the contents are exposed, such as pearl eggs. 

She said that Gould grew up in an artistic environment because her father was an architect. 

Her studio is located behind her family store, Gabrielle's Contemporary, named after her, at 30 Charlotte Street. The shop sells clothing and accessories, etc. She put some of her works for sale in the shop.

Gould studied graphic design and fine art at Flagler College, where she followed the sculptor Enzo Torcoletti in a jewelry class. 

When she went to work in a graphic design company, she continued to create while using metal to make, and put her work in the store. A sales representative started selling her jewelry in museum gift shops and galleries across the country. She said that around 1989, she was able to quit her graphics job and focus on her jewelry full-time. 

"When you do your own thing, you just don't know how life will take you," she said. 

Jennifer Flint, the administrator of the St. Augustine Art Association, said that Gould is one of many artists whose home is in St. John’s County, including painters, potters, carpenters, etc. 

"We do have a lot of artists in St. Augustine, and they are very talented," Flint said. 

Flint said people can go to the Art Association Gallery at 22 Ocean Street in St. Augustine to view the works on display and get information about the town’s galleries and artists. 

One can also visit Gould in the city center. 

"I'm a block from the bay front, it's a bit remote. But I like when people pass by," she said.