My studio is the happiest room in the house! I imagine chefs feel that way about their kitchens! My journey into jewelry started with a triple strand necklace of peacock colored pearls I admired on someone else. In 2005, I purchased beads, tools and supplies and taught myself the basics of making jewelry while recovering from major back surgery. The long days (and nights) of recovery gave me hours to study, create and experiment. I nailed the necklace, and soon, other pieces. I then attended classes and studied with nationally renowned instructors in beading and wire wrapping. My interest in a variety of techniques provides for a diverse inventory, however wire wrapping is my favorite. Even so, I will always have a peacock pearl necklace in my inventory in homage to my beginnings. I have also taken an interest in the metaphysical qualities of stones and crystals and how their energy may impact our own body's energy. Ask a woman why she tried on five different necklaces to find the right one and it's usually because it "felt" or "looked" like the right one. I am curious about both. I have a BFA in Theatre from UW-Milwaukee, and in my 20's, I enjoyed a successful career as a stage manager. This was followed by 17 years working for a major healthcare philanthropy as I raised my son. I grew up in West Allis, Wisconsin, and currently make my home in Central New Jersey with my husband and son. Life is such a crazy ride!

Let me explain a little about the techniques I use.

Wire wrapping is using wire of varying shapes and diameters (square, round or half round, for example) and straightening, binding, twisting, manipulating and sizing a piece into its final design. There is no glue or soldering used in this technique. I gravitate toward a precise, structured design, however, as you will see, I force myself to occasionally create free-form, asymmetrical pieces. Dale "Cougar" Armstrong is my primary wire wrapping instructor who encourages precision and inspires creativity. She is extraordinarily generous with her knowledge and I am forever grateful for her teachings and inspiration.

Beading is connecting tiny glass seed beads in varying shapes (round, square, teardrop, tubes, hex, for example) with thread in different patterns to create a piece of jewelry. I have taken several beading technique classes as well as being self-taught. Getting the middle of a project to look right is always the easiest. The greater challenge is finishing off a piece so that the beads are secure and your structure is hidden.

Stringing is the simplest and most often the "gateway" technique! As the name implies, drilled beads are strung on a stringing material and finished off with a clasp to form jewelry. I string only on 49-strand woven steel wire using only sterling silver or 14K gold-filled finishing