Many years ago I was a pottery student at Homerton College, Cambridge. I made mostly non-functional handbuilt sculptural pieces, most of which do not survive to my knowledge. I did some pottery over the years, but mostly a lot of different crafts, while raising a family in various parts of the US. Then, while on sabbatic in New Mexico in 1998, we went with friends to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. I realized I didn’t just want to buy silver jewelry, but learn how to make it.
On my return to Minnesota I enrolled in a wonderful Jewelry Manufacturing and Repair Program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. There I learned an enormous amount from some extremely talented instructors and also from fellow students. Since graduating in 2001, I have been making mostly silver jewelry, using unusual stones from around the world. I am fascinated by historical jewelry forms and various kinds of ethnic jewelry. |