At
the age of 18 I discovered metal, torches, hammers and steel forms.
The ability to move metal fascinated me. I had found my calling: a metalsmith.
Traveling down that path led me to Bradley University and the tutelate
of Jame Melinda. After two years of study at Bradley, I traveled to
the University of Illinois where I studied under Tom Reardon, Don Frith
Allen Mette and graduated with a BFA in metalsmithing. Finding myself
lacking in experience in industrial production and manufacturing of
wearable art, I proceeded to Texas Jewelry Tech to study jewelry technology
and gemology. Having aquired a certificate in gemology and learned all
all I could in the classroom, I traveled east to work. I landed a job
with Marley Simon in Baltimore, Maryland. There I created his designer
jewelry. This experience gave me a hunger to make my own designs. In
1988, my parents offered to help me set up and produce my own work,
so I moved to Houston, Texas, and produced my own jewelry for eight
years. Tired of the heat and humidity in Houston, I moved to the Treasure
Valley, where I am currently working and residing. |
