I begin by hand selecting all of the components I use in my designs, always choosing high quality, unique stones, and keeping my eye out for exquisite treasures in my travels. I use a variety of semi-precious gemstones, Czech and German glass, Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls and other natural elements in my designs.

The metal used in my pieces – the chain, jump rings, eye pins, clasps, bead caps, and filigree – is composed of 100% nickel-free brass which is hand-embellished using a meticulous seven step process. This process creates the look of aged brass that has developed its patina over time. While the metal may have a vintage appearance, it is produced from new, raw nickel-free brass. Because the metal is derived from natural raw brass and is embellished by hand, each component develops its own unique look and color. The components can radiate colors which range from shades of light golden brown to a rich, darker brown.

Designing the jewelry is such an incredibly joy-filled process for me. My process of creating a necklace typically goes something like this: I sit in my lovely studio space and begin by selecting a pendant from which the rest of the necklace will be built upon. The pendants I use include one-of-a-kind enamel pendants, hand-carved Italian resin pendants, one-of-a-kind ceramic pendants, one-of-a-kind gemstone pendants, and Bohemian Czech glass to name a few. I then choose a variety of semi-precious gemstones and beads which I intend to incorporate into the piece, envisioning how well the pendant and stones fit together. I continue choosing gemstones and beads until the flow feels right. I look at all of the components together and decide whether to make a symmetrical, slightly asymmetrical or an obviously asymmetrical design.

I then begin my hands-on creating with the pendant, deciding if I'm going to use a filigree to wrap the pendant and if so, which style filigree suits the pendant best. If I don't use a filigree wrap, I often embellish the pendant in some other unique way. I put each of the gemstones and beads on eye or head pins, some with bead caps and others without. Using my hands and various tools, I mold, clip and bend the eye and head pins so that they are ready to be linked together. I then place the stones where I think they'll look best and start connecting them using various sizes, shapes and textures of jump rings and chain. Sometimes, the design falls into place beautifully on my first attempt, but often I edit and recreate the piece . . . a constant refining process . . . until the flow of the design feels right.