ARTIST STATEMENT: When I’m making a piece of jewelry, I think about rhythm and balance. But I also like unexpected details: things that move, flash, hide or surprise. Using precious metal forms, fine gems and small diamonds, I aspire to find that surprise in each piece I make. Having no formal education in metalworking or jewelry design forced me to learn by trial and error. It also gave me the opportunity to use tools in untraditional ways and to develop my design sense separate from an instructor’s influence. Challenged to draw, I’ve always worked directly with metal to express my ideas. I’ve been a studio jeweler for the last 45 years.
SELECTED AWARDS:
American Craft Exposition – Glencoe, IL, Best in Show, 2019
International Pearl Design Competition, Award of Commendation, 2011
Niche Award, Finalist for 2011 Award
American Gem Trade Association, Spectrum Award, 2001
American Gem Trade Association, Manufacturing Honors, 2001
Platinum Guild International, Platinum Honors, 2001
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, Judges Choice Award, 2000
Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Jewelry Award, 2000
Portland Arts Festival, Jewelry Award, 1999
Hoover and Strong Award for Design in Precious Metal, Richmond Craft Show, 1991, 1995, 1998
Michael Bondanza Award for Excellence in Jewelry/Precious Metals, Philadelphia Craft Show, 1988
SELECTED JURIED CRAFT FAIRS:
American Craft Council Fair, Baltimore, 1976 – 2020, 2022 – 2023
American Craft Exposition, Evanston & Glencoe, IL, 1984 – 2005, 2007 – 2019, 2022
Charlotte Contemporary, 2015, 2016
Coconut Grove Arts Festival, 1990 – 2002
Philadelphia Museum Craft Show, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1997
Richmond Craft & Design Show, 1975-2003, 2007 – 2019, 2022
Smithsonian Craft Show, 2010
Smithsonian Craft2Wear, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2019
Museum of Art and Design LOOT Jewelry Show, April 2019
SELECTED GALLERIES:
Alesia, Kirkland, WA
Compliments, Kennebunkport, ME
Deva, Winston-Salem, NC
JJ Necessities, Santa Fe, NM
Laughing Dog Gallery, Vero Beach, FL
Max’s, St. Louis Park, MN
Susan Hardin & Co., Banner Elk, NC
Unique Boutique, Mashpee, MA, Naples, FL, Delray Beach, FL
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, University of Virginia, 1973
Education in metalsmithing and jewelry design:
3-day workshop with Ronald Pearson, 1977
3-day workshop with Hekki Seppa, 1979
One-week stone-setting workshop at the Revere Academy, 1984
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
American Craft Council, Trustee, 2008 – 2016
