Inspired jewelry. Most of my adult life, I’ve been an advertising copywriter, working for companies all over the world. This is creative work, but often requires some real linear thinking. That’s the beauty of making jewelry for me. I’m drawn into another part of my brain, and I’ve found unending joy in working from the vision that inspires me and the pleasure of creating visual beauty.

A labor of love. I weave vintage materials, patterned stones and unusual gems into my designs, along with motifs, shapes and stones that have long been treasured for their cultural significance and metaphysical energies. The infinite variety of these materials and combinations sparks my creative fire and makes the work endlessly fascinating.

Art and craft. My approach to construction is detailed and refined. I’ve learned “slight-of-hand” from one of the most inspired, artful jewelry-makers in the country, Lucia Antonelli. Thanks to Lucia, each piece is put together seamlessly. And I’ve learned silversmithing from Adam Clark, a Bay Area creative legend, and a hilarious guy who plays great music while his students absorb his vast knowledge of metalwork.

The work has a romantic, vintage feel, with an emphasis on organic color and rich texture. I incorporate natural and freshwater pearls, semi-precious gems and beads, and cabochons cut from patterned stones. You’ll find vintage materials, such as buttons from the Victorian era, in most pieces. I also blend ethnic and antique stones and metals from other times and places into my work.

Drawing on the beauty of a lost art. In the Edwardian era, handbags and trimmings for clothing were constructed with tiny beads made of steel and brass. This beautiful approach culminated in both hand work and manufacturing done in the 1920s. Very few of these original objects remain. Those that do retain a texture and metallic color which haven’t been replicated. I search out these beads at antique shows and harvest them from surviving remnants. Then I incorporate these reminders of a luxurious past into my own beadwork. In some cases, depending on the color and tone I’m after, I duplicate the look and feel of Victorian metal beads in Japanese glass.

Custom work.
If you wish to order work in sterling or 14 – 22 karat gold, I will be happy to give you an estimate. These pieces will be slightly larger in scale. Naturally the price of this work will increase considerably. I am also happy to do custom work for individuals with something unique in mind, and for special occasions and weddings.

Contributions and Donations. I’m driven by other influences, as well. The state of the world has become a grave concern, particularly the condition of so many women and children. I participate in fundraisers and donate a portion of my proceeds to The Global Fund for Women and other like-minded organizations.