Inspiration: My father's jewelry making

Two of the questions I'm frequently asked are: "How did you get started making jewelry?" and "What are your inspirations?"

Although I didn't start making jewelry until my late 20s, I was raised surrounded by my dad's art, including his handmade jewelry. My father made several pieces of jewelry - most memorably, my mother’s wedding ring. He carved it from wax, then lost wax cast it in gold. It’s a wide band, thick and abstract. I grew up with that being the definition of  jewelry - not some mass produced setting with a standard diamond.

In fact, my mom just didn't have a lot of "typical jewelry". The jewelry I grew up seeing was that ring, and the other really unique things that dad made. So. the jewelry "norm" in our household was more distinctive, artful, almost esoteric. I'm grateful for being steeped in this jewelry making tradition. It has allowed me to go beyond designing pieces that look like what's on TV or sold in chain jewelry stores, and, instead, design nature-inspired jewelry that prioritizes self expression.

My Botanic Collection echos the natural, organic designs that my dad created. I'm proud to create jewelry that honors my origins, and to make unique pieces that create meaning and significance for your life.

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