By: Jason Laird
Alison Shiboski swung a gate open hurriedly; she introduced herself, revealing a warm personality. Twirling 180º, she walked into a narrow, yet long, wood-paneled room, deemed as her jewelry studio. Machinery lined the room in pandemonium. The skylights cast a harsh beam from above which made the environment fiercely hot. Glancing at the edge of the sink, she picked up several rings. She walked across the room, flipped a switch on a sizable machine, and carefully, with aged, worn hands, buffed the golden rings. Once satisfied, she turned to her desk, settling into a sheepskin seat. An open drawer offered several instruments Shiboski used to morph the buffed metals and gems into a stunning diamond ring.
Since she can remember, Shiboski has always loved jeweling. The east-coast native cocked her head as she recalled making rings and necklaces as a child. After venturing to Oregon as a young adult, Shiboski met her partner, Dilly, and opened her own jeweling business. In 2004, the two women were one of the first same-sex couples to be granted a marriage license in Oregon. Much to the jeweler’s surprise, the Register Guard bought a photograph an Associated Press photographer took of the two, using it for the cover of a section of their newspaper. Shiboski said, “When that picture came out…the next day…I felt publicly outted. I had never felt ‘in the closet’, but in terms of a businessperson making wedding rings, I guess it was a little bit scary.” Six months later, the government revoked the marriage. Though the state no longer recognizes her marriage, Shiboski continues putting her mark on love with her skilled craft. She finds joy in playing a role in the marriages of both gay and straight couples. “Probably fifty percent, at least, of my business are wedding, commitment, [and] engagement rings…I love that aspect of my work in general, that people buy it for important occasions…I get to know [some couples] pretty well,” said Shiboski.
Through it all, Shiboski and her partner still consider themselves married. They plan to celebrate their 24th anniversary in September. “…Honestly I’m always on the lookout for people that have been together longer than us,” she says. They may not be married, but Alison and Dilly built a home around their passion for jewelry and gardening. They hope Oregon will legalize same-sex marriage in the near future.
