Everyone has a path in life, mine is a journey which started in my
childhood. As a young child I recall playing "dressing up" but it was not the clothes that mattered
it was the jewelry. Technology has given me a treasured peek into my past as my Dad recently had transferred slides
taken during my childhood onto a CD. In each picture I had on jewelry. My Mom commented, that even then she
was attracted to jewelry; I was only five!
It was only a few years later that the Christmas toy scene offered a jewelry making kit called "Rings and Things."
Well Santa had to bring me one and he did! My family was enjoying the usual treats; I was downstairs making
every piece of jewelry in the kit! I later taught myself how to string beads, and create my own rings by gluing stones
to cardboard paper.
Other forms of art captured my short attention span, as I spent time with charcoal drawings,
pen & ink, pastels, oil paints and embroidery. Each step developed a part of the artistic side but math and the sciences
drew my desires. I left the art side for business and spent 14 years in the corporate world, relying
on other craftspeople to fabricate my designs.
The arts begun to pull on me and I left in search
of a less stressful lifestyle. I began an apprenticeship in 1995 with Master Clockmaker Robert D. McLauglin, Sr. It was working with metal that made me realized, that although
repairing clocks was fun, challenging and paid the bills, I yearned for something more creative.
In 1997, I took my first class in the art of metalsmithing, uncovering my hearts desire and many dormant talents.
As I reflect back, I have been blessed with a gift of color perception that most people do not have. This gift came
from my grandfather who was a master dye matcher in the woolen industry. His eyes were his tools of the trade,
giving him the ability to look at a sample of wool and know instinctively if the color was right or wrong. My uncle
was a master silversmith for Wallace International Silver, fabricating the most stunning pieces of hollow ware. I wish he could have taught me all he knew!
My inspiration is drawn from nature's diverse color pallets and textures. Each piece of my jewelry is fabricated using traditional metalsmithing techniques.
Uniquely shaped studio cut gemstones, of opal, agate or jasper are combined with accent stones of diamonds, sapphires, pearls or tourmalines.
Textural surface embellishments are an important signature of my work, as they symbolize the vast textures found in nature. Reticulation has captured my heart and I have begun to use it exclusively.
Remember . . . . . . I fabricate each piece one at a time, making it as unique as you are! ............
Creating heirlooms, to be treasured for generations.
In the fall of 2002, I was accepted as a State Juried member in the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.
The jewelry I presented was my beach glass collection.
