Hey. I’m Lisa. I make things. I collect things. I have a lot of cats.

I graduated in 2008 from the University of Kansas with a degree in jewelry design and metalsmithing. Fun fact: It’s the oldest program of its kind west of the Mississippi. I read that in the course catalog once and I’ve repeated it dozens of times. I will probably continue to do so.

You know how most people change their major at least once? I never did. Kinda surprising, especially when you consider that a) I didn't take a single art class in high school and b) I picked jewelry/metalsmithing from a list on the back of a postcard KU sent me. My last semester, I took a letterpress class and made my own graduation announcements. On the back is a quote from Marilyn da Silva which reads, "Some people are said to have been born with a silver spoon. I am convinced that I was born with the hammer, to make the silver spoon, which makes me even luckier." Pure, Grade A awesomeness right there, folks.

I've been a maker my entire life. My mom's mom taught her to sew and my mom taught me. I joined 4-H when I was old enough and made clothes for the fair each year. It's kind of mind-blowing that I've been sewing for over twenty years. My dad was always working on our family home, which originally belonged to his grandmother. From the two of them, I learned how to do it myself before DIY was even a "thing". :) When I was a freshman in high school, I was bound and determined to take woodworking instead of Spanish, despite the reservations of my high school counselor. I later took Spanish, but woodworking has proven to be the most helpful in my daily life, hands down.

If you've got the time or interest, here's a blog post featuring my wedding a couple years ago: http://emmalinebride.com/real-weddings/handmade-wedding-diy-details/ I made my dress, the bridesmaids' dresses, my husband's clothes, our jewelry, invites... It was a crazy, crazy time in my life and called upon nearly every skill I have. Ha ha.

Anyway, about the jewelry...

My parents have taken me to flea markets since I was little, so I've had a lifelong appreciation of old things. I especially take inspiration from vintage western imagery as well as Victorian jewelry and symbolism. You'll see a lot of "lucky" symbols...hence my shop name. I am obsessed with horseshoes but I don’t like horses all that much. One chewed on my ponytail at 4-H camp and I’ve never fully forgiven the species.

Many of my pieces showcase vintage glass cabochons. Most of them are what’s called a “reverse intaglio.” The cabochons have a design molded into the back, which is then painted. They're a poor man's version of Essex crystals, some of which are incredible. Google it. You won't regret it.

I recycle whatever I can, in and out of the studio. Your purchase might be mailed in a reused bubble envelope and padded with tissue paper. The gift box itself will be new, but is made of 77% post-consumer fiber.