Accessories – Sacramento
Making things with my hands has been my passion since childhood. I began making miniatures for my dollhouse, turning anything I could get my hands on into furnishings for my miniature world. Growing up nestled by the trees and constant patter of rain between the Cascade and Olympic Mountains in Western Washington, spending time outdoors surrounded by the bounty of a thriving garden, I developed a love of nature and living things. Creating continued to be a part of my life, through cooking, sewing, music, and jewelry making. I decided to attend a university that offered a jewelry and small metals program, where I expanded my techniques and learned new skills. Humboldt State University and the foggy Northern California coast fed my love for nature. I was amazed by the grandeur of the redwoods and the ocean whose misty comings and goings fueled the forest.
The idea of creating lasting beauty that will outlive me has always enchanted me. Looking at things left behind from past generations is a constant source of inspiration. Going to antique shops, estate sales or garage sales was a regular part of my childhood. I went on to achieve a major in art history and during my studies traveled to Greece where I saw even older treasures. Back in California, I worked in an historical museum, and each piece I cared for felt like I was bringing something back to life.
Fabricating jewelry out of a lasting material like metal comes with the expectation that it will be passed on and treasured. I make these objects and let them go, and I wonder who will wear them or where they will be when I am long gone. Each piece is hand fabricated at my home studio in Santa Rosa, California using traditional silversmithing techniques, sawing, filing and soldering metal sheet and wire into a wearable object. I like to incorporate found objects from nature such as seeds and shells with hand chosen items like gemstones and beads. I am always looking to take my work in new directions, honing my skills as a craftsperson as I figure out what it means to be an artist. Through my art and my jewelry, I seek to inspire the love of nature in my wearers and viewers.