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Designer’s Statement

A very curious child, I spent endless hours outside my parents' Maryland home in the woods and gardens exploring and discovering. Later this curiosity led me as far as the pristine Equatorial Rainforest of Gabon (as Peace Corps Volunteer) to the stark desert of New Mexico (as an Indian Pueblo Youth Worker) and finally back to the seasons of Maryland. These experiences reinforced and diversified my sensitivity to the natural world and inspire the shape, line, form and function I incorporate into my designs.

It is hard to live in New Mexico and not be touched by the jewelry industry. This reality merged with the stark beauty of the high desert one night at a party.  It was an opportunity in the form of Ron Winters an Archeologist and Master Goldsmith with a handle bar mustache.  After my incessant questioning he graciously offered to teach me his craft of metalsmithing. An informal apprenticeship ensued and my lifelong commitment to jewelry, design and entrepreneurship began.

This beginning has resulted in many collections of jewelry which tend to be minimalist and simply intended for the wearer to feel beautiful and appreciated. They are intentionally subtle so you are enhanced and adorned rather than overpowered by the jewelry.

My artist eye catches plant life.  Sometimes it’s the raw beauty of a natural forest, or the orderly groupings along subdivision entrances:  in the city, it’s crack dwelling weeds and ghetto palms.  Outside my window there is an enormous dancing tulip poplar and strewn across the lawn are insistent wild strawberries and violets.

If I can wade through the distractions of life, family and other tantalizing excuses, an idea can flow forth in the studio.  I work at my bench with traditional tools and techniques: cutting, forming, shaping, sawing and soldering to create an original shape.

Once the forms are created, their beauty cannot stand alone. They must actually function. The process involved in understating the limitations and strengths of a design challenge is a process of trial and error, discovery and expansion. Sometimes I scream and sometimes I cry.

My deepest desire is for the pieces to reflect beauty in all its forms and help the wearer, as well as appreciative observers, to remember beauty everywhere.  I hope that you’ll find them so.   Enjoy!