How did you get interested in creating art?
I grew up in a household where both parents were creative. My father was a furniture maker and award winning wood sculptor. So the interest was there for as long as I can remember.  But what really got me interested was when I met a guy who had his own little gallery space and where he designed and created one-of-a-kind jewelry. I had never seen anything like what he was doing. I asked if he would teach me how to do it and he said yes!

Where/how did you learn your craft? Who helped you along the way?
My husband gets sole credit for helping me along the way. I have no official training. My education was through an apprenticeship that turned into a partnership and 20+ years working and perfecting my skills.

Who are your biggest influences?
My husband’s work is inspiring. It’s organic and flowing. His techniques and particular way of doing things sets his work apart from everyone. I also find myself influenced by architecture. Not one designer in particular though.

Was there a tradition or practice that was passed down to you?
Yes, my father taught me woodworking and basic jewelry production.

What personal experiences have shaped your creative practice?
I think growing up in a creative environment set me on my path. I was artistic as a child and loved to draw. In jewelry design it’s common to draw a design first and is often very helpful to have a complete idea before creating. My father was a woodworker, sculptor, jeweler, and photographer and being his favorite child, and he being my favorite parent, I chose to hang out with him in his studio rather than stay in the house and clean. I helped when and where I could. I learned to read his mind and grab the tools he needed before he had to ask for them. In all things, my dad always let me try my hand at what he was doing and in that I learned a great deal of skills and knowledge. Mostly, it peaked my interests in working with my hands and creating.

What work are you most proud of that you've created so far?
That would have to be my Saul Bell Design Award pieces. It’s the most prestigious - as well as the only international jewelry award - any jeweler can win. And I won 3 years in a row, then again in 2020. This competition has 2 rounds of judging. The judges are experts in the jewelry world. For my work to have been judged by my peers and contemporaries and having won with each entry is an honor and achievement I had never dreamed of. My 2020 winning design is part of this exhibition.

How has your career developed?
I started out with bare minimum knowledge of jewelry production and have, so far, won every award a jewelry designer could win. I’ve built long lasting relationships with collectors and have a well established business.

What do you enjoy the most about being an artist?
Being self-employed, I get to call my own hours and go for bike rides when the weather is good. I love to cook. It’s my other passion - in another life I was a chef, so I need lots of time for prep. Living and working through this pandemic has been confirmation that being able to have a home based work situation is one of the best things about self employment. Quarantining life is not so far from our everyday life.

What do you find the most challenging about being an artist?
The flip side of the above answer. Being self-employed there’s no guaranteed income or benefits. And you have to wear so many hats. I can’t just create my art. I have to be a business person, sales person, etc…

What do you want viewers to take away from your art?
My favorite feedback is “I have never seen anything like this.” I have endeavored to be different with most things in life. I’m bored with “trends” or what’s hot now… I’d rather stand out than conform to the norm.

How does tradition and identity inform your work?
I have a diverse heritage. I am quite proud of who I am and whom I come from. My work doesn’t identify with what “native jewelry” is but it does reflect an intense commitment to precision, quality, wear ability and uniqueness, attributes that could easily describe both sides of my lineage. 

How does your work comment on current social or political issues?
It doesn’t. Or at least, I haven’t ventured there yet.

Do you make art full-time, or as you can?
FULL time, all the time. The creative process doesn’t rest.

What are some of the greatest challenges you face in making your work?
I think the greatest challenge is to educate people on the difference between mass production jewelry like in Zales and my hand made one-of-a-kind jewelry. People do not understand the skill, time, money, energy, TOOLS and equipment it takes to create award winning pieces. If I only designed pieces, then sent them off to China or Thailand to have made, I could offer it at low prices and mass produce them. But I am hand picking center and accent stones. I’m alloying 24k gold into 18k and rolling it into sheet form or drawing down wire. Hand shaping, hand setting and finishing and photographing, as well as selling my work. I. Do. It. All. One of the worst things is how often Jewelry is passed over as being considered an art form. We can be lumped into so many categories. But rarely does the creative process be given the same status as paint, sculpture, pottery, etc…

What outcomes would you like to see from this show?
I would love to connect with the people of Michigan. I am from there but my work is not well known in my home state.