My jewelry making sojourn began a few years ago when I first started adding beads to my knitted goods. That started me thinking about making a knitting tool using semi-precious stones. A bit of wire, some glass beads and a crystal or semi-precious stone bead became a stitch marker!

My local customers really liked my stitch markers, but so many of them wanted to wear them as earrings that I just had to start making earrings, too! And of course one needs a necklace or bracelet to wear with those earrings, so those were added, too.

I first posted my knitting stitch markers on my original Etsy store, but once I had enough pieces for another store, I split my creations into two stores - Yarnyoda for my knit and crochet goods (and stitch markers) and Trish Designs Jewelry for my jewelry. It's been kind of learn-as-I-go, but I'm having so much fun here.

I love natural stones and almost always choose those rather than faceted stones. Cabochons that have been cut using the natural curves of the stone are my favorite. I use lots of chips and nuggets, roughly cut bits of stones and crystals that have so much character.

As I begin designing a piece I'll lay a stone or crystal on my workbench and start putting other stones and beads next to it. Choosing which wire to use depends on what stones will be included. I am a colorist (my knitting background) and the colors have to be just right for me. Some of my pieces are simple because the stone speaks for itself. Others have a multitude of elements because it's the design and shape that's more important than the stone. And sometimes a piece just needs that last little bead or swirl to fill in a blank spot and really bring the creation to life.

That's one of the reasons most of my pieces are one-of-a-kind. Even the stones are never exactly alike. It's also fun when all my discards for a piece end up making up the beginnings of a new piece! Sometimes it's a revelation to not put things back where they belong.

Everything I create is done using my two hands and a few tools. I use no heat, glue or solder. I use my hands to swirl the wire into the shapes I want and pliers to turn the ends under and hide them inside pieces so that there are no rough edges.

My wire wrapping is organic - I don't try to get everything perfect, but strive for elegance and beauty. I don't really plan out my pieces - I let the stones tell me what they want to be. Sometimes what I've had in my head actually happens, but usually it's quite a surprise at the end.