Our Founding Members
James Friedman
Founding Member
Owner
James Friedman’s career in the jewelry industry is built on a strong foundation of practical and applied experience. With over 35 years of hands on skill development. As the owner of JB Friedman Designs, Latitude Designs and an instructor at the Honolulu Museum of Art Metals Lab James has seen first hand the struggles of the local jewelry design community. El Dorado has been a long time goal of his that will bridge the gap for the industry here in Hawaii. James has set up and managed small, medium and large scale jewelry production facilities. By building relationships through providing support and connecting businesses with people James has developed a jewelry industry network that spans the globe.
Pamela McCleave
Founding Member
Pamela McCleave is a glass artist, enamelist and jeweler. Based for many years in the San Francisco Bay area, she returned home to Hawai’i in 2015. Much of her work is now based on the colors and forms found in local flora and marine life, bringing together the techniques of lost wax casting and plique-à-jour enameling. Pamela currently resides in Glasgow Scotland part time practicing her art and is with us here in Hawaii yearly.
Key members
Lisa Luke
Lisa Luke is a new jewelry maker. After taking CAD classes at El Dorado her designs are created in CAD 3D design and hand finished with enamels. Born in Hawaii and back after 40 years from San Francisco where she went to school and was a creative director and in marketing. Using her education in graphic designs to bring to life jewelry interests in Hawaiian lifestyle, memento mori, lucky talismans and other interests. Lisa Is often at the lab working on her projects or making content for our online communications.
Theresa Capllonch
Theresa Capllonch is a jewelry designer and creative with a background in Marketing and Communications. She was first introduced to wax carving in Florence, Italy and later took her first casting class with James, El Dorado's founder, at the Museum Art School. After six years in Colorado -- working in fine jewelry store representing over 45 independent designers and growing her own brand, VIXIN -- she returned home to refine her craft and support Hawai'i's creative community. At El Dorado, she brings her experience in marketing, content creation and community engagement to help elevate the work of local artists and share their stories with intention. You can often find her at the lab filming behind-the-scenes content, chatting with fellow makers, or bringing a new idea to life.