HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH YOUR JEWELRY IDEAS?
Everything and anything can inspire an idea for a piece of jewelry. I can see a design on a cement truck, pass a beautiful flower, or walk by a really cool building and I’ll just start thinking about translating those images into small “works of art”. I really love making one-of-a-kind pieces because I really let my imagination go.
WHAT KIND OF MATERIALS DO YOU WORK WITH?
As far as metals go, I work with Sterling Silver, 14kt and 18kt gold and occasionally I will add touches of copper. I’ve worked with sterling silver for many, many years, but it can be very temperamental. Once I started working with gold, though, I was hooked. Gold is so nice to work with and as much as I love silver, gold polishes beautifully. I work with many different semi-precious and precious stones and I like to set them according to the design of the piece I’m going to use those stones for. I also use Moretti and Bullseye glass, two “soft” glasses, for my lamp worked beads.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A DESIGNER?
I love creating. I look at creating art as my therapy for life. Whether it’s making a new piece of jewelry, painting a figure in oils, cooking a delicious meal or trying something totally new, I love making things. Sometimes I’ll get an idea, while I’m out and about and I can’t wait to get back to my studio and make that idea in a really special creation. It’s so satisfying to see an idea I’ve had come to life.
HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR CLIENT TO FEEL WHEN WEARING YOUR JEWELRY?
I feel like jewelry is an extension of your personality and every person should feel special and comfortable in the jewelry they wear. I want the person that wears a piece of my jewelry to love it whether it’s the first time or fifteenth time they’re wearing it. I want them to know how much time and care I’ve put into making that piece of jewelry and to know I put a little of myself into everything I make.
DOES YOUR WEBSITE SHOW ALL THE ITEMS THAT YOU SELL?
Our website only shows a small portion of what we sell in our store. We have a wide variety of jewelry pieces in our store, many of which are one-of-a-kind items and limited-edition pieces. Come by the store to see all we have to offer.
DO YOU DO ANY CUSTOM WORK?
We do custom work. We would meet with a client and work out an idea, whether it’s designing a ring using a special stone or creating a pair of earrings you’d like to have made to go with a necklace. If we can do it, then we will create it.
WHAT ARE YOUR POLICIES FOR REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES?
I want everyone to love the piece of jewelry they’ve either, bought for themselves, or purchased as a gift. It’s such a good feeling to see someone wearing a piece of jewelry that I made and see how great it looks on them. If you’re not happy with an item, bring it back. Sometimes things just need a little adjustment, so come and see us and we will work with you on making it fit and/or feel better. If that does’ work or you want something different, we offer full refunds and exchanges within 21 days of purchase of your unworn jewelry.
DO YOU SELL ANY ITEMS IN YOUR STORE THAT ARE MADE BY OTHERS?
With the exception of the basic chains and some clasps, we make everything in the store.