CV/Bio
After 25 years of showing my designer jewelry at Fine Art shows throughout the upper midwest, and 11 years of being the "jeweler in residence" at wonderful "Lattitudes" in Rhinelander, WI, we have moved family and studio to beautiful Duluth, Minnesota. I am so inspired by this vibrant city and incredible Lake Superior! After moving here during the Polar Vortex of 2013-14, I now have my new studio set-up and in working order, and have representation in the wonderful "Lizzards Art and Framing Gallery" in downtown Duluth.
I am excited to also be showing my jewelry on my website and hope you enjoy my offerings. I have always loved jewelry and the feeling that it brings in wearing such personal expression. As an art major in college I was able to learn the techniques involved in jewelry making and metals, and especially loved lost-wax casting. After marriage and having to find a "real" job, I ended up working in the lab of an orthodontist, where I was able to get my first casting equipment from a dental supplier. I started out making wedding bands for friends and a few customers. When my husband and I took a lapidary class at our local university things really took off! The first time I saw a polished Lake Superior agate, I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, and I still do. While I appreciate the rare and fine, all stones are gems to me in their own way.
We have rockhounded all over the Southwest and upper Michigan/ Lake Superior area and my husband Greg cuts and polishes many of our finds. Now that we live on Lake Superior, we are loving the native gemstones; Lake Superior Agate, Amethyst, Jaspers, Stromatolite, to name a few. You can often find us our combing beaches, dirt roads, and fields for specimens.
However, I select most of the gems I use personally at the Tucson Gem Shows every year, plus take many of the seminars and classes offered at that time. That way I can always keep the selection fresh and offer the new and unique gems and minerals from all over the world!