A Sculptor who became a Jeweler
Since childhood I've sculpted and carved, taught by my father. I would spend hours making figures in clay. As an adult I moved to cast concrete, steel, wood and glass. I was introduced to jewelry making in the 90’s and fell in love with the idea of a sculpture made to be worn. The challenge of creating something uniquely beautiful, comfortable and well made captured my imagination. Because its art, its story telling emboddied in materials.
Inspired by Nature and Place
The Klickitat River Valley
I’m an artist living in the woods. On my morning hike I might see a family of river otter playing on the bank or a great blue heron patiently fishing from a rock. The basalt cliffs dripping with ground water, painted with mosses and sprouting wild flowers from the cracks remind of how Life adapts and persists. I always bring my camera with me. (to check out my photography click here). The biodiversity and rustic landscape of the Klickitat has inspired my art for almost three decades.
My Path Toward Sustainability
It’s important for me to create an environmentally friendly business. I’m always looking for ways to make beautiful jewelry for my customers and minimize the impact my art has on the Earth. I think of it as a Path Toward Sustainability because I feel that it’s an evolving journey and challenge to find balance. Here is a list of some of the choices that I have made along that Path:
FINDING BALANCE
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In house silver/gold recycling
I’m now reusing 100% of my scrap for casting and milling my own sheet and wire.
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Small batch Casting
I’m casting all my carvings in my studio re-using my scrap silver and gold. One of a kind, limited edition and small batches.
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Sourcing through small businesses
My earring and necklace cards, business stamps and craft jewelry boxes are sourced by small American businesses that I found on Etsy.
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Recycled / Upcycled Packaging
From 100% recycled paper mailers by Eco Enclose (click here to learn more ) to handsewn, upcycled silk jewelry pouches. I’m constantly searching for sustainable packaging solutions.
The found in
FOUNDWEAR
When I started making jewelry I found 100% of my stones. While I still love to find the material I use for my sculpture, I also source raw pieces of stone to carve. This has expanded the colors I can use in my jewelry.
Finding the Stone
When I’m looking for the right stone to carve, it has to be dense, hard and have good color all the way through. Hiking the landscape in search of the perfect stone to carve is one of my favorite meditations. After I collect the stones for my project, then I bring them to my saw to cut and see whats inside.
Revealing
The flower within the Stone
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Found
Size, shape, density and color
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Reveal
I slice the stone to see if it’s carving material.
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Design
Hand drawing the design as a guide
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Remove
After I cut the stone and draw a flower , I remove everything that isn’t a flower.
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Carve
Diamond burs and water to form the flower.
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Silversmith
One the flower is carved and polished, I fabricate the setting in silver.
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Ready to wear
I often patina the silver to bring out the handworked details. Ready to be worn.
Follow me on
Whenever I’m walking in Nature, which is often, I’ll make photos or videos of the beauty that inspires me in Life and my Art. I love sharing these in my Instagram Stories.
