
Jen Parker
Alchemy Jeweler, Portland, OR
With over 25 years in retail management, training & logistics, Jen Parker transitioned into the luxury market a decade ago. Jen is responsible for e-commerce, marketing, digital asset creation, photography, social media, merchandising, and inventory management in her many roles as communications director for Alchemy Jeweler in Portland, OR. When not immersed in her day job, Jen, who has a background in theater, operates a leather-working business. “I know a lot of professional actors and cosplayers who need specific items,” she says. “I just made a huge pirate hat for a client for a Renaissance Fair.”
ONLINE EXTRA: Q&A
What’s the most rewarding part of your job with Alchemy?
I’d say photography and CAD because those are the most creative. I’m a very creative person. I like being able to be an artist in my full-time job as well as a side gig and hobbies.
What is your main hobby?
I do own my own leather working business. It is a hobby because I used to do costuming and I used to do woodworking and I know a lot of professional actors and cosplayers who needed items made. I fell into leatherworking because I wanted to teach myself how to make a very specific item, which was leather armor. A significant investment and 10 years year, I take custom commissions for leather armor for Comic Con, cosplay, Ren Fair, or anyone else who needs specific things that they can’t buy. Chess pieces, gauntlets, hats, I weave chain mail as well. I just did a huge pirate hat for a client in California for a Renaissance fair. It’s a lot of fun, and I’m never doing the same thing twice, which can be both difficult and rewarding. Everything is a prototype. I’m reinventing the wheel every time, for a different person, character, or event. I pattern everything from scratch every time. But it’s never boring.
Where did you go to school?
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I went to I.U. in Bloomington, IN, and majored in theatrical production and theater. I was also an English minor. I used to direct and do lighting design for productions in Indiana.
Where did you live prior to moving to Portland?
I lived in L.A. for six years before Portland.
What is it like living in Portland?
It’s great. It’s a great change of pace leaving Los Angeles, that kind of hustle and bustle isn’t necessarily my jam. Portland has a far more creative atmosphere in general. It’s also very rainy, so very conducive to writing. And I have a dog, who is the love of my life, a 10-year-old Keeshond. We don’t go hiking or mountaineering, but we’re out walking all the time. I probably put in 12 to 20 miles a week. It keeps both of us healthy and connected to the community.
What do you like to do on days off?
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I spend time with my husband, Ryan. We’ve been married for 12 years, he is a professional dog walker with his own business. And an avid video gamer with his own Youtube channel, so we both play video games quite a bit, If I have any time off from any of my gigs. And we do jigsaw puzzles.
How does your background in management, training and logistics help you in your current role?
I wear a lot of hats here so I can pull from the huge bank of experience to perform different tasks. As with any small business, there’s a lot to do. One person can’t afford to be too niche in your role; you have to be able to do a lot of different things.
Do you have any travel destinations on your wish list?
I don’t travel nearly as much as I would like to. My favorite place is New Zealand; I spent three weeks in New Zealand in my 20s. The next place on our list is Ireland. My husband’s mother passed away and he would like to lay her ashes in the village where her family was raised.