A Rough Beginning. I began creating jewelry out of desperation. Five years of floral designing left me with a nasty allergy to molds, and with no outlet for my creative energy. By accident, I stumbled into jewelry making and later discovered the incredibly diverse and challenging world of wire bending, but, this came only after a painful beginning.

My first class was with Lynne Merchant at the Shepherdess in San Diego, California. For the life of me I couldn't coax that wire into moving where it was supposed to go. Even with Lynne’s able assistance and the help of other students, I had a difficult time. Thankfully, my stubborn streak allowed me to persist and after weeks of bending, spiraling, and coiling I was ready to face another class. Eventually the wire relaxed into jewelry I was willing to wear, and later into jewelry I loved to wear.

Tribal Inspiration. While I am intrigued with many styles of jewelry, it is tribal influences that endear me the most. This work reflects life on earth that lacks the self-consciousness and sophistication of “more civilized” societies. Give me people who are earthy, natural, and lacking in pretense. It is their work I emulate.

Roots. I have always envied people who were raised in an artistic home. My early efforts in abstract painting were openly discouraged by my parents. I am sure my dad thought “Oh my God, she will never make a living if she pursues this avenue”. Even though I chose a more economically practical route by becoming a psychotherapist, my love of art always remained alive and well under the surface. Before encountering floral design and jewelry making, I was a floor loom and sculptural weaver. You see, detours always lead back to the main road.

Current Focus. Wire work is both a foundation and a springboard. While I love the smooth turn of the round nose pliers with a piece of 16 gauge wire submitting to the gentle curve of the jaws, there are other jewelry making techniques that have made their way into my work. Since 2003 I have taken metalsmith classes with Deb Jemmott. Love that sheet metal too! Then there is acid etching, metal clay, and corrugation. Even though I stray into intriguing new worlds, I always come back home and ask, “Will this be compatible with my wire?”