When I was in high school, I had a girlfriend JT. One day, I noticed her wearing some very cool dangling earrings. When she told me she made them, I ran to the hardware store for a spool of copper wire, round nose pliers and wire cutters. After I made a pair like hers, I altered the design to include some little purple wood beads. Then I started creating my own designs. As an uninhibited teenager, I was able to raise spending money any time I wanted by walking up and down the street selling my handmade copper wire earrings.

Later after getting married, having babies, and working in offices, I sent for a kit from a company that paid home workers to make bead woven earrings. Included in their package was 3 different colors of glass beads and instructions. Once I made a dozen pairs of their design, I went out and bought many more colors of glass beads and started creating my own designs. I found making the same pattern of earrings over and over again to be tedious so I did not sign up for their program. I continued to create jewelry for myself, friends and family.

The move into the southwest really turned my bead adventures into an actual business. In 2005 I started Moonstone Jewelry & Design from my Tucson home. Then in 2009 I opened my Etsy shop.

A few years back, I began to learn more complex wire wrapping techniques. This led to making rings and palm stones (also can be refrigerator magnets).

In addition to my jewelry adventures, I play French Horn with local orchestras, bands and small groups. I love being part of the local arts community.

I also love being connected with other Etsy shops via Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter. I am Moonstone Mary just about everywhere in social media. My biz Facebook page is www.facebook.com/MoonstoneJewelryDesign.

My most recent goal is to get my own jewelry website built. If you go to moonstonemary dot com, you can sign up to be the first to know when my website goes live.