I like to think of jewelry as tiny works of art.
I think jewelry should speak to you;
But more importantly, jewelry should scream to the world exactly who you are.
And if you are anything like me you can be a different person each and every day.
So if you are my kindred spirit, my jewelry just might elevate your style and make you feel fabulous.
I create the glass beads.
Each bead is created one at a time sometimes taking hours.
I use the flame of a torch and I paint with molten glass, with my desert muse whispering in my ear.
I search for just the right gemstones. I am lucky to live in Tucson and have Tucson’s annual International Gem and Jewelry Shows right in my backyard. Gemstones are used to enhance the glass in my work.
I fabricate the metal with texture and passion. I like to keep up with the trends but my jewelry is not trendy.
I am compulsive about my craft. I am driven to learn – new techniques, new products, and new materials.
All together these elements come together to tell my story of the desert which captivates me. I am connected to those who have been here before me. And I pay homage to the earth who deserves our respect.
I create the desert in glass and metal.
For all their austerity, I find the deserts of the Western United States a beautiful wonderland of nature. The awesome uncluttered arid spaces are studded with some of the most beautiful flora on earth. The colors range from muted earth tones to vibrant jewel like hues; and the desert at night sparkles like diamonds.
Art to me has always been an expression of colors and textures. I have been making glass beads since 1997. This craft called lampworking or flameworking allows me to bring the southwestern deserts to life in the form of glass art beads and ultimately jewelry.
My jewelry is about color and texture found in the deserts of the southwest including those wonderful blooms. I add metals to the glass to get my desert colors; and I incorporate hand fabricated metals that have been textured for tactile interest. Working with these materials and gaining inspiration from nature is very exciting. I like to put these elements together in a piece of jewelry that contains eclectic details with a touch of bohemian chic. Each piece tells a story.
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