Biography

There is simple beauty in the form of a canoe. Structures created from natural elements, such as wood, metals, glass, clay, are important for the place they take in our lives. Jewelry which is wearable, yet less traditional, also has an established place in most cultures, and our lives. I began working in metal when I was teenager. I was fortunate to have a teacher who was busy himself creating Art jewelry in the 70’s. My introduction to using resin in my pieces came at the end of Art school. It is what I am known for, and I continue to embrace the material. I have been working solo in the studio outside of Philadelphia for more than 40 years. I have also worked in machine shops and taught jewelry making. I also have two kids. Which, of course, takes more energy and natural materials than making jewelry does. My years at Tyler School of Art, and then sharing a studio in the original studio of Olaf Skoogfors was a transformative experience on the heals of college. I love meeting and celebrating my clients. Life is short. Wear more jewelry.

Artist Statement

Plants, windows, and the carved clay of modern ceramicists are just a few things which influence what I create. I use silver, gold and cast resin to create jewelry. Resin became a true love of material relationship for me. I spend my days working solo in the studio and riding my bike when it’s not snowing. I have been working with resin for more than 40 years and still find ways to keep it interesting by carving it, and painting inside my precious metal constructions. Resin is often cast multiple times in one piece with forms screwed together as a final step. Chains are pieced together to create interest to a single pendant with hand made elements, and mixed metal linkages. Color compliments the forms in my work. My jewel tones are appreciated equally to my earth tones. While I would love to create square forms all day, my plant and organic forms bring me equal joy. Meeting my clients at shows is something I will never grow tired of- they inspire me! I am a true outdoors kind of person, who loves to bring the “outdoors” into the studio. If I didn’t ride a bike, garden, or hike, I could never sit at the bench for hours.