I live amidst the beautiful wooded environment of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in northern California. My jewelry designs reflect the small wonders that I encounter in my daily life. As a professional wood sculptor in the past, I like dimension in my work. I do a little bit of wax work, but I prefer working directly with the metal. All of the shapes in my current work are formed through chasing and repousee'. I use shakudo and gold together for their wonderful contrasting qualities, and I cut most of my own stones. Details are important to me, so I strive for excellence in my craftmanship and I design the back sides of my pieces to be as beautiful as the fronts. Often I set stones in hidden places, create original clasps, and make each chain individually.