About me
What got me started...
Growing up in the mountains of West Virginia, the landscapes, animals, individual shapes of leaves, tumbled stones in the mountain streams, and the changing colors of every season captured my imagination. Nature has influenced my ongoing interest in art and the pursuit of the creative process. Being a folk artist at heart, with an early hobby of wood carving, I also have been influenced by rock and cave art petroglyphs out west. These primitive shapes have informed many of my most recent jewelry designs. The jewelry I make is my interpretation of nature in wearable form.
Making jewelry...
I have attended numerous classes at William Holland School of Lapidary Arts and Sawtooth School for Visual Art over the years. I learned a variety of techniques, which include piercing, forging, fold forming, chasing & repousse, and cold connection. My metal of choice is sterling silver, but I may occasionally mix in some copper! Each piece I make is a one-of-a-kind, original design, which is handcrafted from raw materials.
I love rocks!
Most recently, I completed several cabochon cutting classes, which led me to an even greater appreciation for rocks and pebbles! Cutting and polishing my own stones for jewelry allows me more design flexibility as I can customize the color, shape, and size of a stone I incorporate into a specific piece. I love all rocks, so my jewelry may include semi-precious gemstones, river rocks, or beach pebbles. If it calls me, I’ll make something with it!