I am an artist, and designing jewelry is my passion. My jewelry career
started in the Chicago area in 1975 working with a 5th generation
jeweler in a full service family store. We created custom-made pieces,
fabricated and cast designs, and it was an exciting time for me as I
felt the sky was the limit and business was booming. It was a highly
creative time when I also painted in oils almost every evening, creating
many paintings that I sold. In 1981 I moved and worked for a fine
jeweler (Herman Hiss & Co.) in Bay City, Michigan for many years. In
1990, I moved back to Northern California where I originated. Over the
years I have been fortunate to work with many fine designers and
jewelers. Along the way I learned to photograph my own pieces and
offered jewelry photography to other jewelers. I incorporated several
skills into a wholesale jewelry design business that ran for 10 years as
Phases Design Studio, with the main focus on pearl designs. October 2003
I opened a store under my name located in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California,
offering unique designs from several jewelry-artists including my own
pieces.
My approach to making jewelry is basically to create a balanced design with clean, precise lines that is unique and comfortable to wear. Most of my designs are contemporary with smooth lines. Simple design does not necessarily mean it is easy to create. I strive for precision with quality craftsmanship. I believe we are inspired by others and by nature but it is important that we find our own style and be original and true to ourselves as much as possible. Once you tap into that process of originality, unique and harmonious ideas flow easily. Many of my designs are built to accommodate pearls and I also work with an array of colored stones and diamonds.
Outside of the jewelry arena, my life is balanced with family, friends, gardening, painting pictures, photography, pets, and wildlife. I once was a volunteer for a wildlife rescue center where we rehabilitated mostly raptors and released them with a good success rate. I found that I work well with animals in general and developed a way to communicate with dogs through sign language. We are guardians to animals and we earn their respect through love. Of course it helps if a dog knows that you are the Alpha of kindness. Needless to say, animals play a part in my jewelry designs periodically. I have always been attracted to birds or winged insects and sea creatures. Most of my animal designs are stylized and depict the essence of the animal.
I can truly say that I love designing and making jewelry. It is my desire to share happiness with people through the art of jewelry.
