I have been obsessed with jewelry and fashion since I was a child. I was fiercely independent as a child (and still am) so I was determined to be unique so I started making my own jewelry and clothing accessories in grade school. That continued through high school and college- I even made my prom dresses. But then I got my first "real job" as a Project Manager. My free time was quickly replaced by work and travel for work and I felt like I lost my creative edge.

Every year, I would go on a primitive camping trip with my Dad, where I disconnected my phone and my laptop for almost 2 weeks. It was my time to make jewelry, read, and relax- get back to my creative side. At my annual primitive camping trip in 2004, I was given the name AmberTortoise in a Native American inspired naming ceremony.

To me, being given this name represented a new chapter of my life- the beginning of an exciting journey that could be anything I wanted it to be... and what I I wanted was to transition out of my career in the corporate environment to pursuing my passion and lifelong dream of being a jewelry designer.

What had been a hobby up to that point quickly became an obsession, then a business, and now my life... and I couldn't be happier! AmberTortoise seemed like the perfect name for my jewelry boutique.

I hope you love the jewelry you find here as much as I love designing or creating every single piece.