It all goes back to a very small child with a very understanding family; a great aunt in particular who gave me not one, but twelve colored stone rings (like the kind you used to get in gumball machines) in a box when I was about five years old. To say it was the best gift ever might cause a rift with other friends and family, but it was HUGE.... and started little me down a path of interest in jewelry that led to many pricey classes at a local craft guild and finally applying for a scholarship to study the subject at FIT, Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

That intensive program led to almost a decade of working behind the scenes in a number of costume jewelry houses, crafting up looks based on the lead designers of the time. Some were worn only on the runway, and others ended up at major department stores or even QVC. While some inspiration, especially for the teen lines, came from television shows of the time (like Friends and Seinfeld), so much more came from having access to the great museums of New York City, and the amazing jewelry districts (from 34th street - costume heaven - on up to 47th street, home of diamonds and fine jewels) to the remarkable jewelry retailers, many of whom had flagship stores in the city: Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, Bulgari, Tiffany, and many others.

After returning to Dallas, I began making my own line of jewelry, selling in local shows and on Etsy. Fast forward through several years when I gave jewelry a break and worked on hypertuffa pots (always crafting something!) and running a shop called Makers Connect for four years, I am now happily back doing what I enjoy the most; making jewelry. I hope to grow the business over the next few years and look forward to continuing my relationships with the many wonderful craftsmen and women I have met along the way, assisting and supporting them as well as I am able. I know that karma always returns the favor, and so it goes. Thanks for reading my story. Hope you have something that makes you as happy to do with your time!