When I first began making jewelry, it was strictly a kitchen-table kind of thing, making jewelry for myself. I then started making more and more pieces, and was able to place them in a shop in Minneapolis, where I lived in the late '70s.

When I moved to California, my jewelry making tapered off until I discovered crystals, and wanted to create necklaces to make it possible for people to wear them. That changed when I met a jeweler/teacher in Santa Fe, NM, who taught me the basics of working with Silver.

Around that time, I also met a neighbor of mine who was an accomplished lapidary. I have been a long-time rock hound, so the idea of polishing and working with gemstones was very exciting to me. As a result, my lapidary friend started teaching me how to work stones.

Subsequently, I went on to teach myself how to make pieces of jewelry using wire. (I now use a wire-wrap technique to create many of my jewelry pieces.) Additionally, one of my jewelry-making specialties is creating Fine Silver Etruscan, loop-in-loop chain jewelry.

Almost all my work is one-of-a-kind, incorporating handmade gemstones, and unique combinations of beads. I also create many of my own unique jewelry findings.

I consider my jewelry to be both Artisan and Designer. Much of my Artisan Jewelry is hand made Sterling Silver Metalwork, incorporating polished gemstones. For these pieces, in addition to the gemstones I created, I also search out lapidary work which I think I will be able to use to create interesting, one-of-a-kind pieces, as well as be able to be incorporated into my Etruscan, loop-in-loop chain necklaces.

I also consider myself a Jewelry Designer. While many, if not most, Jewelry Designers have Artisans create their jewelry, I both design, with the exception of the historically-based chain work I do, and create everything I have on my website.