I've always been creative, especially with my hands. Before I ever played a musical instrument, I was constantly making something out of cloth or fiber and trying to pick out melodies on a toy instrument of some sort. Once I got my first my flute, I was hooked on playing it and have spent most of my adult life playing professionally and teaching music.

Now retired, I still play but my real passion is making jewelry. Here's how it all started:

About three years after my daughter died in a car accident, I asked a friend to teach me how to make a necklace so that I could utilize some of the gemstones my daughter had left behind. It was love at first necklace! Even better, I feel as though Amanda is whispering in my ear and adding her wonderful artistic aesthetic to my work.

Here's a link to a recent blog interview done about my shop by a wonderful young journalist named Maggie Driver, a student at the University of Arizona: http://urbaniterunway.com/category/multimedia/

I'm very lucky to be living in Tucson, Arizona, site of the largest gem show of it's kind in the world. People travel from all over the world to sell their wares at this show every winter. Needless to say, I find lots of inspiration and materials there!

Since I've been on ETSY, I've made some great friends whose kind words and inspiring stories keep me growing. I am always trying to test my limits and come up with new techniques for making my jewelry. Needless to say, each piece is one of a kind.

I've had several custom orders, both on ETSY and from friends and relatives. Those are my favorite assignments because I can create something exactly as the customer wishes. I would love to make something for you!