I left a Forest Service career to pursue art 20 years ago. I never looked back!

My past natural resource work informs my art. I specialize in organic jewelry using Lake Superior beach stones, semi -precious cabochons, silver, copper, recycled glass, resin, and enamel. My work uses traditional fabrication techniques as well as metal clay (see below).

I am drawn to simple shapes, clean lines, and textures in nature. These elements become the building blocks of my work. A stone, a leaf, a feather… speak to all of us in a universal language and help me to create jewelry that is familiar and timeless.

Metal clay is a crafting medium consisting of very small particles of metal such as silver, gold, bronze, or copper mixed with an organic binder and water for use in making jewelry, beads and small sculptures. Originating in Japan in 1990, metal clay can be shaped just like any soft clay, by hand or using molds.

After drying, the clay can be fired in a variety of ways such as in a kiln, with a handheld gas torch, or on a gas stove, depending on the type of clay and the metal in it. The binder burns away, leaving the pure sintered metal. Shrinkage of between 8% and 30% occurs. Alloys such as bronze, sterling silver, and steel also are available.