My passion for jewelry lies somewhere between contemporary and fine jewelry. I try to include elements from both worlds in my process.
I was born in Frederick, Maryland, and for as long as I can remember I have been an artist. It wasn’t until quite a few years after receiving my Bachelors in Fine Arts from James Madison University that I really found my passion in metals and jewelry. In this, I am happy to say that I exist as both an artist and a craftsperson.
I began working at the Baltimore Jewelry Center as a Youth Instructor for the After School Program in 2017. Our Workforce Development Program now hosts multiple youth programs. Working so closely with kids and teens helps to remind me of why I wanted to be in this field - the simple thought that jewelry is fun.
My production work is meant to be just that. It is fun to design, to make, and should be fun to wear. In contrast, my custom work, mostly engagement and wedding jewelry, usually holds a lot of emotional weight. I enjoy working with non-traditional gems and urge my customers to think deeply about where their materials are coming from. My favorite pieces to work on are those that include materials sourced from vintage jewelry (specifically where gemstones are involved).
The bulk of my work makes use of base metals, such as copper or brass, and powder coating in order to keep things affordable. However, you will find flashes of yellow gold or the sparkle of gemstones in my higher end pieces. The goal remains the same whether the jewelry is gold or copper - make something that you enjoy and others will enjoy it with you.
I now reside in Baltimore, Maryland, with my partner, our dog, and our two cats. I still work as an Instructor and Youth Program Leader at the Baltimore Jewelry Center. Teaching allows me to share not only my techniques and knowledge of the craft but also my ethics and ideas about the world of jewelry in general.