My formal education was in Anthropology and African Studies at Smith College. My informal education, encompassing a lifetime of home improvement projects with my parents in their old house, was followed by recreational art classes post-college that led to the discovery of my previously unknown talent and absolute love for metalsmithing.

This discovery was in keeping with my tendency to realize interesting things at seemingly inopportune times. Like the time I discovered my debilitating fear of heights while rock climbing at the top of a cliff on Mt. Kenya. Or the time I forgot to pack pajamas on a trip to the Middle East and had to sleep in a floor length cargo skirt for weeks to preserve my modesty. It turns out the best (although certainly not the easiest) way to deal with these discoveries is to give up and embrace them. Climb down off the cliff so you don’t have to spend your life having supplies airlifted to your current location. Take the opportunity to hide midnight snacks in your pajama skirt. Or quit your day job, start your own business, and hope you figure it out along the way.
My love of travel, discovery, and subsequent misadventures translate more easily into daily life than I would have expected. And nowhere is that more evident than in my studio every single day. One time I was under a tight deadline to finish an order, got stressed out, sort of melted some pieces, and discovered the art of reticulation—the basis of which forms one of my entire jewelry lines today.

Although much of what I learn is still through trial and error, and sometimes pure serendipity, I continue to take classes from master artisans around the country to expand my skills. I currently reside in my native Wyoming and am a member of CoMA—the Colorado Metalsmithing Association; SNAG—the Society of North American Goldsmiths; and Ethical Metalsmiths—Jewelers for Social and Environmental Responsibility.