I have created with my hands since I was a little girl. Growing up I used my imagination to keep my mind busy as there was little money for store bought dreams. (Grandmother's favorite saying.) I cut dolls out of paper for my sisters-later I sewed my own dolls. Soap making was a chore but a skill learned, like canning pickles...I could go on and on. Looking back it was a great learning experience. My love for creating jewelry was borne out of the want of a little girl I remember in a too big shirt and wind tangled hair, standing in front of store windows, in awe of the sparkle and newness. A little girl whose greatest treasures were arrowheads found. I truly appreciate our planet's gemstones. I love shaping and pounding out copper. I am still in awe.