I have been creating things pretty much from the time I can remember, not just jewelry though, a few of the things I can remember are small puppets, paper bead necklaces,paper bowls, etc..I turned into jewelry making in the earnest when I was around 10 or so. This is something that has always been a part of me and I carried my tiny but growing stash of supplies thru my school and college years !

I have my masters in Physics and Electronics and I have been an honor student all my life.. .When we did our electronic experiments for the science degree, while trying to grasp the scientific facts of the experiment, a tiny part of my brain would be thinking about possible ways to incorporate that broken LED or diode into a pair of earrings or necklace..It was a standing joke among my friends !!
So after finally studying for years to become a scientist (as every single one of my friends from the post graduate class are today ), in a twist of fate, I became a Computer Engineer. It was hectic and strange for me, and it took a lot of work to catch up there..but even when I was there, I always knew I would go back to designing some day ! There was this Job interview for one of the most famed IT companies in the world where the interviewer asked me what I wanted to do in 10 years, I said I wanted to be Owning and Managing My own Boutique ! It was not a planned answer, but it made me realize what I really wanted to do ! (and as I type this I realize, its almost 10 years to the day and I am doing what I said I wanted to  although, I thought of a brick and mortar Boutique and I only have an online one now )

I went on crafting and though my own preference is to wear minimalistic pieces, My supplies had been slowly building up thru the years. Doing some jewelry design everyday after a full time job and taking care of a family ( My husband and I have a sweet little girl of 5 ) was a kind of stress buster for me. Jewelry time was my ‘ME’ time..It was my colleagues who first gave me the courage to take this hobby up the next level..And I needed to at that point, as my supplies were piling up and I really had to either destash them or sell as finished jewelry!

Discovering the existence of Etsy was my greatest break ! I am not much of a craft fair kind of person. Etsy gave me a venue to showcase my talents in a very comfortable manner on which I had total control..

I started with sterling/gold flll gemstone Jewelry..I made the most that could be with metallic pieces I could find as findings and using them with gemstones ! Living in a busy place like Hartford, for our work commute, we had to live in a Townhouse complex and I could not do much metal working..Any hammering of sterling or copper wire and other pieces had to wait till weekends !.. Though I was doing what I loved, it still felt unsatisfactory to me ! I then discovered metal clay, and as a kiln was out of question in our apartment, I started experimenting with butane torches( a few scorched counters attest to my attempts there:) ).. I realized I needed some practice molding metal clay before I wasted too much of that really expensive stuff and started looking for alternatives to practice on !! Thus I got my first block of Polymer clay and the rest has been one happy experiment after the other (I never went back to precious metals clay after that :) I can use my butane torch for creme brulee perhaps ?? )

Colors, images, snapshots, a thought, a song, a step, a gesture, a rain shower, a rainbow, a lovely gemstone, a happy accident of a lovely bead deciding to nestle with another stone, anything and everything inspires me !

I start with planned colors(which itself may or may not be an accident or something thought out).. I might start with a particular style in my sketch pad, but it could take a shape and life on its own !

Fabric and textures from cultures all around the world, both old and new are a constant source of inspiration. Now my inspiration comes also from the lovely people I have met thru my store !! I receive notes from total strangers admiring my work and use of colors and they are all so kind, it inspires me to do the best I can and some more !!

I currently have two lines of jewelry, one that focus on my handmade clay pieces and vintage findings embellished with gemstones, and another ,almost minimalistic style in sterling or goldfill that showcase natural gemstones that are magnificent.

I feel blessed ;having the time to spend with my family and doing what I truly am passionate about, building my clay pieces :) Most of the best and greatest things In my life have been beautiful and unexpected happenings, So I would keep praying for more :)