Unique, handcrafted jewelry inspired by world travels and the fascinating beads, antique pieces, and cultural components I select for my designs.
My passion is creating jewelry as wearable art by combining natural, ethnic, antique and contemporary elements. The study of beads has given me an understanding of the impact of hundreds of years of trade among cultures - along the Silk Road in Asia, trade beads sent to Africa from Bohemia, or by ships blown by the tradewinds between continents.
Over the years, I, too, have been blown by the tradewinds, living, working (teaching) and traveling abroad including a summer in Europe during college; two years in the Peace Corps in the Philippines, followed by six months of traveling throughout Asia; a month-long trip across North Africa in a Land Rover; seven years in Canada (while married to a Canadian); several trips throughout most of Europe; a cruise around southern South America; a year-and-a-half working in Iran (ah, the beauty and sensuality of Persian culture!), traveling in the Middle East and Russia; several trips in Mexico and the Caribbean; and three years working in Japan which included extensive travel throughout fabulous Asia again. All these cultures made indelible impressions that you will see reflected in my jewelry.
Returning to the States from Iran, I completed an MBA and ran my own business in Boston for nine years – personal image consulting and a women’s boutique specializing in beautiful handcrafted accessories. I honed my business skills and learned much about style, color, line, scale and texture, all elements of design.
Prior to my move to the San Diego area, I lived in the San Francisco Bay area where I worked for 12 years as a development director (fundraising) for several nonprofits including a famous ballet company, Big Brothers Big Sisters, a French-American School, and a well-known Buddhist meditation retreat center.
How did I begin making jewelry? Well... I had two little silver charms I had bought in Tibet and wanted them made into a pair of earrings. In 2004, I went into our local bead store and asked if they could do it. They said we don’t make jewelry for customers but we give classes so you can learn how to do it yourself. So I began taking jewelry classes and making jewelry - and the passion began.
My jewelry has appeared in galleries, boutiques and several museum gift shops including the San Diego Museum of Art, the Mingei International Museum, The Women’s Museum of California and the Huntington in Pasadena. Over the past 9 years, I have received very positive feedback from my customers, at art shows, and now on Etsy.
Some comments heard from clients:
“I’ve never seen anything so unusual and interesting.”
“You have such a good eye for design and color.”
“... so unique, not something you’d find at Macy’s or Bloomies or Nordstrom.”
“You have the best jewelry in the show.”
“I get so many compliments every time I wear your piece.”
“My mother/sister/wife/friend loved the jewelry I bought from you for her.”
“I loved the pieces I bought for gifts so much, I kept most of them for myself!”
“You’re such a creative, talented artist.”
The uniqueness of my jewelry designs and the wonderful cultural components I choose will add a real flair to your look and make you stand out in a world of sameness.
