I grew up in the mountains of North Georgia. My dad made reproduction antique furniture; my mom worked with the mentally ill. I loved the woods, exploring the mountain every chance I got. There was a stream over the ridge from our house and it was my favorite destination. It was fun to explore the stream as a child, then I sought solace there during my angsty teen years. The mountain was so key to my development, from taking refuge in it to the loneliness of its remoteness, that I’d be a different person had I grown up elsewhere.

Returning to nature has been a constant in my life. Since leaving the mountain, my relationship with it has shifted. It now takes more effort, but that same connection remains.

It makes sense, then, that my jewelry is inspired by nature. Some of my designs are direct representations of an object from nature, and in my Botanic Collection. Others are more representational interpretations, as in my Joy Collection.

I have a bit of wanderlust, having lived in Atlanta, San Francisco, Boulder, Denver and Tucson since leaving the mountain. I’m currently in Tucson, but imagine a return to California is in the cards.

Wherever I am, my jewelry will tell the story of the landscape and journey that it provides.

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