I have always been fascinated with organic shapes. From the time that I was a child, I was building very intricate ‘forts’ with twigs and branches. I think that it is this element of my creativity that has reappeared in my jewelry. While I went to art school, jewelry was not one of my concentrations. In this field I am completely self taught. However, the studies that I did pursue in my college years, particularly architectural forms, have all affected my current body of work. When I started spending serious time on this artform three years ago, I was voracious in my study of this time consuming and miniaturist art. I feel that with every piece, I celebrate life and pattern and organic forms. Also, some of the craft involved in my beadwork has its roots in traditional beading from places and cultures all over the world, from Africa to Ecuador to Russia. This combination of influences has informed everything I make. I also credit several contemporary beadwork artists for inspiring my own work: Carol Wilcox Wells, Diane Fitzgerald, and Valerie Hector.

Primarily, I make my jewelry for myself, designing things that make a statement of beauty and originality to my eyes; things that I am proud to wear.