Thomas J. Owczarzak, known personally and professionally as Tomo, began his career in his hometown of Corvallis, Oregon in 1976. Artistically drawn to the minute, fantasy and animal designs, his designs won him area recognition, local awards, and placement in regional art galleries. In 1981 a partnership was formed overseeing two retail jewelry stores. By 1982, Tomo and his wife, Lisa O. Voelker, were the sole proprietors of an exclusive retail jewelry store located at Salishan resort, a Mobile 5 star destination resort on the central Oregon coast.

Through the intervening years Tomo won many awards and commissions including in 1976 the Oregon State University Faculty Clubs, United States of America Bicentennial/O.S.U. Triad Club 50 year anniversary, commerative Key, the Elizabeth P. Richey Memorial at the Kerr Library, Oregon State University, the Thomas Farley ordination chalice, and the original game design for the chess-like board game, Kaiisa. In the mid 1980's the cultured freshwater pearls of Lake Biwa, Japan became the focus for his one-of-a-kind creations for which he won an award in The International Pearl Design Competition in Tokyo, Japan. Unusual, 3 dimension designs involving the entire ring design, and featuring, among other unique components, points of interest on the back shank, are also hallmarks of Tomo designs. Bright, intensely colored, well cut and unique colored stones are central to each of Tomo's creations.