What I call "Art Jewelry" is jewelry that fulfills a higher purpose than just to be worn and enjoyed by the wearer (although,really, what higher purpose could there be?!). For example, when I want to test different techniques, try out different patinas (oxidized finishes), or experiment with different metals the outcome might be beautiful, but not commercially viable.  The objective is not necessarily to be comfortable or even wearable (although it often is), but to expand my boundaries, learn new things and have FUN!!

This collection was born of my utter fascination with these nifty (if evil-looking) seed pods that float up out of the Hudson River and litter our Riverfront Park with infinite opportunities to cripple oneself by stepping on them.  They are the seed pod of an invasive species of water chestnut, brought here by some naive soul in the 60's, or so the rumor has it, to populate "his little section" of the riverfront.  

They are seriously sharp and poke-y, but endlessly beautiful little objects that get me all excited to make jewelry.  Stay tuned -- more designs to come...

We crafty types are the hoarders of society.  We see potential in garbage. Over my many years in optical product development, I fell in love with the cellulose acetate used in eyewear production, and as a product person, I had access to all kinds of samples.  So every time we cleaned out our sample closets, I rescued the landfill-bound pieces and squirreled them away.  And now I have found a brilliant and fun new job for all this acetate scrap: jewelry!  I heat, bend, carve, polish, rivet, and combine with metal to make pretty stuff to wear.  Mostly one-of-a-kind, but I'm working on new pieces all the time.

The good news is that Cellulose Acetate is considered an "eco plastic".  It is made from the short fibers in cotton, combined with plasticizers and pigments, and rolled out like pastry crust to then cure into the nifty stuff you see here!  If left to the elements it will biodegrade (eventually), so no leaving your pieces out in the sandbox.

The story of the Liam Link.  When my best bud and I were weary mothers trying to entertain toddlers and get in as much coffee as possible, we dragged our boys (4 in total) to the local coffee shop.  Amid the muffin crumbs on the floor I found a glorious metal object that looked as though it had been on the ocean floor for decades. Turns out that my friend's 4-year-old son Liam had found this treasure in the park, it having washed up from out of the Hudson River.  I marveled at his eye for cool shiny things, and asked permission to borrow it long enough to make a mold. The Liam Link collection is my collaboration with him, and a popular component in my Jewelry.

Behind the scenes, things look a little different. It's often a mess and sometimes a bit overwhelming.  But it's the sum total of everything I've ever wanted in life, mess and all.  Take a peek...