About the Artist
Using sterling silver, semi-precious and precious stones, my line is a balanced vision of organic and modern. Imperfections and irregularities that mimic the course of nature greatly inspire me. There’s always some small detail of a plant that I can look at; I love the growth structure and how each tiny petal is attached. I wanted to design jewelry that could be worn with my favorite old pair of jeans and a comfy tee, yet would be the perfect compliment to a more dressed up look. That is Lichen & Lychee.I am an emerging jewelry artist reentering the field after a post-art school hiatus in the professional world. In February 2010, I began my transition back into the arts with the goal of building a full time, successful jewelry career. In that short time, my work has been accepted into several local boutiques, included in two upcoming books published by Lark and the focus of a recent article in the Seattle Times, NW Source. I’ve enjoyed participating in numerous group shows, auctions and sales on both the east and west coasts.
I have enjoyed making things for as long as I can remember but first got turned on to jewelry making while still in high school. Back then, my stepmother and I would take art classes together and I have her to thank for introducing me to ceramics, textile arts, and metal working. I owe her a lot for those classes, especially the metal working class she let me sign us up for at the Worcester Center for Arts and Crafts in Massachusetts … she hated it but I loved it and have never turned back. I went on to concentrate on jewelry design and metal working in college where I earned a BFA in fines arts at Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA. While in Boston, I worked for many years as a professional jeweler and refinisher of fine watches.
I find inspiration for my designs literally everywhere: plants, antique botanical prints, vintage textile design, architecture and contemporary graphic design. I love clean shapes, dirty textures and unexpected juxtapositions, non-traditional materials, and very traditional craftsmanship. I have a strong interest in sustainable design, craft culture and fashion. When I’m not making jewelry, I enjoy yoga, dancing, traveling, cooking Japanese and Thai food, and spending time with my lovely man, Orion and sweet cat, Rue.
