I started making art as a child, when my Mother bought needlepoint sets for my sister and I. Then came knitting lessons from an Aunt. School taught me ceramics, art, painting, and sewing. From there it all sort of spirals out of control.

I came to metal in 2005. I started with a bit of coated aluminum and a few pieces of stainless steel wire which I would crochet or wire wrap a few beads into, but I longed for something more. Next came a few sheets of copper and brass that were hammered, using a framing hammer. After a few months, I ordered a few troy ounces of silver. From there it snowballed into books, tools, countless hours of watching videos, and lots, and lots(!!) of failure. Surprisingly however, I slowly improved. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn!

In the beginning, the only person wearing my designs was my eldest daughter. She would need jewelry for a dance and I would spend a week putting something together. I was making a lot of jewelry but I lacked the confidence to try and sell it. This is when a friend of mine gave me an artistic shove. She told a boutique owner that I made jewelry and arranged an appointment for me to take my pieces in. I was shocked when he took my entire collection on consignment because this was a place I couldn't even afford to shop! At the end of the first month I was even able to pick up a check! People were buying my creations! I was finally getting the artistic validation I had craved my entire life!

I decided to open an Etsy shop in March of 2009, after the venture with the boutique started to wear on me. I had been with them for 6 months but my feelings were changing. I would visit once a month to inventory, clean and collect my payment only to find my pieces sitting in locations where they were susceptible to theft or tarnished because they weren't being cleaned regularly. It was like having my children taken care of by a bad babysitter. I couldn't stand it, I had to bring them home. They deserved better care and so did the people who bought them. I knew I was using quality materials, and producing a one of a kind product, but now I am able to inspect every piece plus package them in a way that I can ensure they can be taken care of in their new homes. I do this by including a care and cleaning card along with a plastic storage bag containing a tarnish resist strip in every order. I am a part of every piece from beginning to end and every piece is a part of me.

From my daughters, who wore those first designs, to my husband, who used to drive every shipment to the post office, Ive seen love and support. In my Mother I have found a cheerleader, pushing me on to try new things. From my sister and my friends, Ive seen my business grow. From other silversmiths, I've found the finest hand-cut stones, best value on tools and more help on technique than I would have ever dreamed possible. I have been encouraged and helped, every step of the way.

I hope, when you stop by my shop, you will see the love that goes into my pieces and how each piece speaks to some aspects of my learning and this journey I am on.