Studio 44 Jewelry

Artist Profile

I most enjoy the process of designing a new piece: thinking about color, balance, texture, and form. I have spent many hours searching gem shows to find distinctive gemstones to include in my work. Each piece that I make is the culmination not only of this searching, but of time spent imagining many variations leading to the final design, and of the actual creation of the work.

I’ve been interested in gemstones since my first childhood rock collection, and I’ve loved jewelry for as long as I can remember. I am a Certified Gemologist SCC, and am constantly learning new techniques and creating new jewelry designs.

Education

Certified Gemologist, SCC

Santiago Canyon College, Orange, CA • Completed 2007

Jewelry Fabrication

Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA, Fine Arts Department
I have also been fortunate enough to take specialized workshops with Michael David Sturlin, Cynthia Eid, and Jay Whaley.

Graphic Design Certificate Program

University of California, Irvine, CA • Completed 1993

Bachelor's Degree (Computer Science & Business Management)

Rice University, Houston, TX • Graduated 1984

About the Work

What I do is known as "fabrication." A piece of jewelry begins with a flat sheet of metal (usually sterling silver), wire, gemstones, and an idea. The piece is then fabricated from these raw materials. The techniques include:

  • piercing (drilling holes),
  • sawing (using a jeweler's hand saw to cut the desired shape from the sheet metal),
  • soldering (one of the common ways to connect pieces of metal),
  • hammering (to shape and texture),
  • and an assortment of other methods!