Jim has a BA from the University of the South with an emphasis in printmaking and has always had an interest in jewelry and metal. In 1998, Jim began attending weeklong seminars at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C. to study the art of enameling. After several enamel seminars  he decided to learn to fabricate his own original pieces.   Jim began attending jewelry classes offered by the Continuing Education program at UGA and in 2004 enrolled in the University of Georgia’s program in Jewelry and Metalwork.  While in Graduate School Jim also received instruction in Book Arts and the art of paper making.  He received an MFA in Jewelry and Metal in 2007.  

Jim sells his work at Arts and Crafts Festivals throughout the Southeast and Midwest as well as in selected Galleries throughout the country.