Having been inspired for many years to make jewelry, I explored that possibility as my children grew. My original work was made using traditional metal-smithing and beading techniques. Loving the beautiful colors of natural semi-precious and precious beads, I continue to use beads in much of my work.
I grew up in Boston surrounded by historical buildings, churches and museums with beautiful brick and stone textures, lovely scrolled woodwork, iron fences, and fabulously patterned tin ceilings.
As a child I visited these historic locations with my dad and each has influenced the style of my jewelry. My most recent work is reminiscent of tin ceiling tiles and of the glass flowers I discovered at the Museum of Natural History.
In 2005, I discovered metal clay. I saw the possibilities of using this moldable metal as a canvas on which to replicate the beautiful patterns of my childhood. Metal clay is just that, metal in clay form, which can be formed, carved and designed into elegant, durable pieces of handcrafted fine silver jewelry.
Inspired by what I created, I focused on earning certificates to teach metal clay techniques. I've earned Art Clay Worlds Senior Level teaching certifications for both Art Clay Silver and Mokume Gane techniques, as well as a PMC (Precious Metal Clay) Certification.
I have also authored and published several articles in Metal Clay Artist Magazine and Metal Clay Today.
I continue my education to become the best teacher I can be by taking workshops around the world with award winning metal clay artists. I want my students to enjoy my classes while learning the many creative possibilities using metal clay.
Currently I teach classes in metal clay at Collin College campuses in Dallas and Plano Texas and in my art studio in Plano.