Prior to becoming an independent artist I spent several years as an industrial designer in the lighting industry. During this period, my work was dedicated to creating conceptual models for architectural, display, exhibit, and other forms of specialized lighting fixtures. Designing and fabricating functional lighting concepts served as the foundation for the work that would follow in that it demanded excellent craftsmanship & detail be achieved through applying multiple fabrication and finishing techniques to a variety of metals and other raw materials.
Searching for new challenges that would also allow me to continue creating with metal eventually led me to making jewelry.
My one-of-a-kind jewelry (women’s, men’s & unisex) is made using silver, sterling silver, copper, bronze & brass or in many cases a combination of two or more metals. Items are primarily produced through metalworking using traditional cold-forming and fabricating techniques. If a higher level of detail is desired, investment casting and/or sintered metals (metal clay) may be used. Color objectives are met through the selection of metal(s) based on their respective oxidation and finishing ranges and in some cases the use of vitreous enamel. Using metalwork as my platform, unique native materials are sometimes included in a piece, e.g., found stones or fossils vitrified or otherwise finished. Offering uncommon pieces that are an appealing diversion from the mundane in the form of bracelets, necklaces, pendants and earrings is the focus of my work. I consider every piece a potential heirloom…quality, originality and longevity are very important to me. I hand make every component of the finished piece including all findings (ear hooks, ear posts, catches, small chains, settings, rivets, bails, jump rings, etc.) in my home-based studio.