Jewelry is a reflection of the wearer's personality and unique to that individual.
Pieces are comprised of quality semi-precious gemstones, Baltic Amber , Watermelon tourmaline , hand-wrapped cabachons, Swarovski crystal, hand fabricated metal artwork in Sterling Silver and Copper, and unusual components such as ostrich shell, rat snake vertebrae, fossils. I do not follow fashion or color trends but allow the gemstones and other components to dictate the path and inspiration of the design.
I am self-taught, reading books about rocks, minerals, gem stones, metalsmithing, anything I could find (and afford!). Over the years I have broadened my metalsmithing skills and look forward to learning, and challenging myself, even more. My dream is to someday pursue certification from the Gemologist Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad, CA. At this point, sigh, it is still just a dream.
Growing up in a steel mill town in Western Pennsylvania, I love thunderstorms, smell of freshly cut grass, and snuggling in for the night watching snow fall. Fossils and the Egyptian culture intrigue me.
I worked full time and attended evening college for ten years to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. My initial goal was to become an archeologist and go on digs, or become a National Geographic photographer, but well that didn't go as planned. Before college, I earned a green belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Until a few years ago I was employed full time but unfortunately experienced multiple layoffs, and shortly after my husband of 50 years passed way. He was very supportive of my work, created his own pieces, and went with me on endless shopping trips to bead shops. In fact, he named my shop!
“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”—Martin Luther King, Jr.