Throughout my life I have had a passion for making and creating things AND I've always loved rocks.

In my youth you would find me looking for agates on the shores of Lake Superior. I was even attracted to the plain looking wave shaped rocks covering the shore.

I've left collections of rocks wherever I've lived. If you ever visit me in New Mexico you will see piles of rocks littered throughout our yard left over from every rock hounding trip I've taken in this area.

I come home from vacations with bags of rocks that I intend to use in jewelry. (Peek in my studio closet!)

My stone buying trips are as much fun as my rock hounding trips..

Two things sparked my passion for designing and creating jewelry. The first was a short class on making earrings at a local bead store in Silver City, NM shortly after I moved here.

The second thing was a friend in Louisiana handing me a handful of gar (fish) scales and asking if I could make some earrings for her. Those two experiences and the fact that I had recently retired from my elementary teaching job all ignited that passion!

I've also had a big love for the outdoors. I've spent many hours hiking, biking, backpacking, rock hounding, canoeing and kayaking in many beautiful outdoor spaces.

I hope to bring some of the beauty Mother Nature has provided into my jewelry designs. I also always loved southwest and native designs. Moving to a beautiful spot in the southwest has increased that love.

The jewelry I create is mainly casual in design. I also don't add a lot of "fluff". I prefer a more simple design that doesn't take your eye away from the beauty of the stone. It's really all about the stone. Most pieces I design are pieces you would like to wear every day and not just on special occasions.

I like to create with leather, copper, silver, natural looking gemstones, wildflowers and resin. I find my work is continually evolving as I develop my style.

My studio is in the beautiful Burro Mountains just outside of Silver City, NM. I work in a wonderful private space. It's actually our guest house. It's a place I can't wait to get away to. I love to lose myself in creating with so many wonderful materials.

My work table has a view of the distant Mogollon mountains and my bird feeders which are constantly full of life. I'm often surprised when I look up to see several deer, fox, javalina or some unusual bird just feet from my window.

Besides selling my jewelry creations here on Etsy, I'm active in the local arts community. I sell at the local farmer's market and other festivals, rock and gem shows statewide.