Hello from the Bench!
This is where it all starts. Jewelry making is my first love. My first metal arts class was over 20 years ago, while I was working as the Jewelry Buyer at the Phoenix Shop in Big Sur. After work, I would drive into town and learn about making jewelry.
Leaving the Phoenix Shop, I went back to school, studying in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Jose, where I got a BFA in Spatial Art. That’s academic for Sculpture or 3D Art. My degree is in sculpture, but I packed in as many painting, jewelry and printmaking classes as I could, while I was at university.
With two elementary school aged kids at home, and a small ranch to run, I knew I had to take full advantage, while I had access to the SJSU art department. You know, everything over 12 units is basically free, if you can smoosh it into your schedule.
Getting it together
My studies of Art History, California history and the beauty of our natural surroundings in the Monterey Bay area are inspirations for much of my work. Metaphysics do play a part, as well. ;)
My interest in form and surface are reflected in my pieces. Everything is handmade and either one of a kind or limited production, made with responsibly sourced materials, including recycled precious metals.
Change in the weather
Over the past few years, I have made a gradual, but now complete move away from large scale metal sculptures and toward more intimate, small scale metal and art jewelry pieces.
Believe me when I say that I could go on and on about how I made the decision, and why it’s a good one. Suffice it to say, the required equipage and climactic expense of large scale metal sculptures made me rethink my approach.
In 2020, it is actually possible to create fine jewelry utilizing only recycled or fair mined metals. Further, by knowing where ones stones come from, and buying only from reputable sources, an artist can create treasures for adorning oneself or ones space, with minimal planetary impact.
Now
As a jewelry designer, I am aware that extracting gold, diamonds and even silver have had and continue to have a devastating effect on people and the earth. For this reason, I use recycled precious metals and make every effort to use only ethically sourced stones, and even some really nice lab created stones.
Each piece is a meditation. Every thing is fabricated by hand, unless otherwise noted, and finished in the most energy and resource efficient method possible. Whenever possible, pieces are photographed in natural light to show texture and the truest range of color.
Custom Work
Are you interested in something that has sold? Or, do you wish something had a different stone or something like that? Contact me about a custom order.
All the best,
P.S.: Here are a few reviews, in case you’re interested.
