I am a jewelry artist and metalsmith working primarily in silver and enamel. For as long as I can remember, I've been interested in art and especially jewelry. I was lucky that making art was encouraged in my family. As a child, I was introduced to both fine and art jewelry at a young age on visits to Potter and Mellen, Inc., where I would gaze at the work in the cases with curiosity and awe. In middle school, I joined lapidary club and made some of my first "real" jewelry pieces by cutting and polishing stones to fit into prefabricated settings. In high school, I took some jewelry classes at the Cleveland Institute of Art and pursued jewelry making in my senior art class. And so, it made total sense to follow with a BFA with a concentration in metals and enamel.
Since 2000, I have been working extensively in Precious Metal Clay and regularly teach classes and workshops in both metal clay and traditional metal smithing. I was fortunate to arrive early on the scene as metal clay was finding its way into the jewelry vocabulary. Because of this, as I grew my expertise, I was able share my knowledge by writing articles and presenting at conferences. Images of my work have been published in books, magazines, and included in various presentations. I create one-of-a-kind, custom designs, and production jewelry available in select galleries and at fine craft shows.
Artist's Statement
There is something magical about the way colorful enamel, metal, and light can be combined. When I make jewelry, I like to think that I'm translating positive energy into joyful objects. I think about the eventual wearer and hope the the piece will bring them joy. Making art is exciting to me, it's an electric feeling. I always look forward to seeing what the art-making will bring.... as if I'm a conduit for creative energy, open-minded and eager, awaiting the next inspiration. When someone says "these are my favorite earrings," I actually hear "I feel good (happy, joyful) when I wear these." Creating things that make people happy makes me happy.
Author/Contributing artist: Metal Clay in Color compiled by Mary Wohlgemuth; Art Jewelry Magazine articles: "Flora and Fauna Pendant and Earrings" (May 2013); "Achieving Enamel Transparency by Catherine Davies Paetz and Bill Helwig" (Winter 2010); "Five Ways to Inlay Bronze and Copper Clays" (Nov. 2009); "Water Works" (water etching September 2006); Studio PMC articles: "Mold Magic" (Fall 2003); "The Art of Teaching" (Spring 2007)
Published images of work: The Art of Metal Clay (revised) by Sherri Haab; Making Metal Clay Beads by Barbara Becker Simon; Pure SIlver Metal Clay Beads by Linda Kaye-Moses; Magical Metal Clay Jewelry by Sue Heaser; Enameling on Metal Clay by Pam East; New Directions in Metal Clay by CeCe Wire; PMC Decade by Tim McCreight; PMC Guild Annual - Exceptional Work in Precious Metal Clay edited by Jeanette Landenwitch: 2007, 2008, 2009 (acted as juror-images on juror pages), 2010, 2011; Art Jewelry Magazine gallery; Studio PMC gallery.
Since 2000, I have been working extensively in Precious Metal Clay and regularly teach classes and workshops in both metal clay and traditional metal smithing. I was fortunate to arrive early on the scene as metal clay was finding its way into the jewelry vocabulary. Because of this, as I grew my expertise, I was able share my knowledge by writing articles and presenting at conferences. Images of my work have been published in books, magazines, and included in various presentations. I create one-of-a-kind, custom designs, and production jewelry available in select galleries and at fine craft shows.
Artist's Statement
There is something magical about the way colorful enamel, metal, and light can be combined. When I make jewelry, I like to think that I'm translating positive energy into joyful objects. I think about the eventual wearer and hope the the piece will bring them joy. Making art is exciting to me, it's an electric feeling. I always look forward to seeing what the art-making will bring.... as if I'm a conduit for creative energy, open-minded and eager, awaiting the next inspiration. When someone says "these are my favorite earrings," I actually hear "I feel good (happy, joyful) when I wear these." Creating things that make people happy makes me happy.
Author/Contributing artist: Metal Clay in Color compiled by Mary Wohlgemuth; Art Jewelry Magazine articles: "Flora and Fauna Pendant and Earrings" (May 2013); "Achieving Enamel Transparency by Catherine Davies Paetz and Bill Helwig" (Winter 2010); "Five Ways to Inlay Bronze and Copper Clays" (Nov. 2009); "Water Works" (water etching September 2006); Studio PMC articles: "Mold Magic" (Fall 2003); "The Art of Teaching" (Spring 2007)
Published images of work: The Art of Metal Clay (revised) by Sherri Haab; Making Metal Clay Beads by Barbara Becker Simon; Pure SIlver Metal Clay Beads by Linda Kaye-Moses; Magical Metal Clay Jewelry by Sue Heaser; Enameling on Metal Clay by Pam East; New Directions in Metal Clay by CeCe Wire; PMC Decade by Tim McCreight; PMC Guild Annual - Exceptional Work in Precious Metal Clay edited by Jeanette Landenwitch: 2007, 2008, 2009 (acted as juror-images on juror pages), 2010, 2011; Art Jewelry Magazine gallery; Studio PMC gallery.