Please start by telling us a little about yourself and your studio.

I have been a jewelry artist since 1989 and I have participated in many art festivals across the country.  My primary metal is sterling silver, but I also incorporate gold, copper, brass, and niobium into some of my designs.  I’m crazy for gemstones, dichroic glass, and pearls, and I especially enjoy working with natural stones that have interesting shapes, colors and patterns.  My one-of-a-kind pieces are hand-fabricated using innovative metalworking and lapidary techniques.  My first career is classical music, with which I am still very active.  My other great passions are animals, nature, gardening, wildlife watching, and fiber arts. 

What role does your family play in your art?

My husband is very supportive, and helps me at all the art festivals.  He is a geologist, and is always encouraging me to try new gemstones!

Where do you live and what is it like?

I live in a tiny town in rural Colorado.  We have a small passive solar house on four acres, with lots of wildlife and birds.  We just finished installing some new bluebird nest boxes.  My favorite time of year is when the hummingbirds come back in mid-spring.  We share our home with four wonderful cats, (all rescued), our big, mixed-breed dog, and our brand new border collie puppy.

Where did you learn your medium?

I learned the basics of metalwork and jewelry-making at a local community college, and also at a few specialty workshops, but after that, I developed my own techniques.

What are your goals with your ArtFire studio?

To expand my visibility and customer accessibility. I also hope to donate a portion of my sales to animal and wildlife charities.

How did you come to find a home on ArtFire?

My customers at art festivals kept asking me if I had a website.  I started looking into it, and ran across Artfire when it was fairly new.  Artfire has some nice features.  I like the page layout, and the way Artfire make it easy to add photos.  It is great not to have to pay listing fees, and the monthly fee is very reasonable.

What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?

Follow your passion.

Why do you think that buying and selling handmade products benefits society?

It is sad that so many products sold and purchased in the US are made overseas, and are often of poor quality.  Buying handmade from local artists supports local communities and economies, and becomes a circle of support.  (Local meaning anywhere in the US).  Buying and selling handmade work supports individuals instead of giant corporations.   I make a point of buying from other artists, and from local small businesses.  When you buy handmade work, you are buying a unique piece of quality artwork that can’t be found anywhere else, is not massed produced in a factory, and can become an heirloom.  When you sell your own handmade work, you are sharing part of yourself, your creativity, your passion.  By doing this, you can encourage young people to pursue their creativity, and develop their own community circle of support.

Visit Studio