I am a jewelry designer who loves almost every craft imaginable. I started making jewelry like so many others, for family and friends, in the late 80's...wow so long ago. That merged into learning more about gemstones which lead me to join a local gem and mineral club. This I highly recommend if you are so inclined. At the gem club I learned how to make gem trees then I started teaching gem tree design. In an effort to make my teaching easier, I created written instructions which then turned into a book. I love writing tutorials but struggle to finish them....always have big ideas and am always thinking about the next book.

Okay, back to jewelry. I love making jewelry and it turned from hobby to business when I realized I had more jewelry than I could ever wear and just couldn't stop creating. Really. I needed to fund the obsession to buy more stuff. This lead to selling at craft shows, consignment, home shows and now on-line. 

I'm constantly learning new techniques and as fashion changes so does my taste in what I like to wear and create. In the late 80's it was all about pearls and beads just strung or knotted on silk. Now we have all kinds of metal work, wire work, wonderful selection of gemstones, lampwork beads and mixed media. The list just goes on and on. One of my favorite mediums to work with is wire. I love fusing fine silver and soldering sterling, copper and brass. Mixing those same pearls and gemstone beads with hand forged links just brings the jewelry to a new level. I realize most people love symmetrical designs but for the past couple of years I have gravitated to asymmetrical designs that are balanced but not perfect. You will probably see a lot of that in the jewelry gallery.

I feel that teaching jewelry and gem tree design is really my calling. It really is the best feeling when you teach someone a new technique and they can make something for themselves or others for gifts. 

This is one class at a Northwest Federation Gem and Mineral show where I taught gem tree design. Normally I just demonstrate gem trees at the gem and mineral shows but I had so many people that wanted to learn I started teaching classes.

If you are interested in learning how to make gem trees and live in the Pacific Northwest, I teach at Shipwreck Beads monthly. It's a great hobby for young and old, male or female. 

The photo below shows my award winning trees at the American Federation show where I obtained my Masters in Gem Tree Design. I'm always asked  which tree is my favorite and obviously it is the one you want to purchase.