A bit about my creative journey...
When I was a tot running around the woods and beaches of northern Minnesota, one of my favorite things to do was hunt for agates. Every pocket, drawer and cigar box I had was stuffed with them. I loved rocks. I loved trees. I loved everything outdoors. Luckily for me, my mom and dad were happy to let their kids run free outside, so our da
When I was a tot running around the woods and beaches of northern Minnesota, one of my favorite things to do was hunt for agates. Every pocket, drawer and cigar box I had was stuffed with them. I loved rocks. I loved trees. I loved everything outdoors. Luckily for me, my mom and dad were happy to let their kids run free outside, so our days were filled with adventures. I spent every minute I could exploring the forest or wild lakeshores near our house. I collected birch bark, watched dragonflies hatch and investigated toad holes. I was completely a part of the world outside my house, and that connection has stayed with me throughout my life. My strongest influence and my greatest ally has always been nature.
Years ago, when I first started exploring metalsmithing, I was captivated by the tactile nature of the material. I loved forging silver and copper using my hands and a few tools, and I loved working with stones. I wanted to convert the images in my mind—usually images having to do with nature—into an object I could hold or wear.
Today I live and work in rural Minnesota, next to the beautiful St. Croix River. During the summer, I move my studio east to an old farmstead in upstate New York. Surrounded by the extraordinary beauty of both of these environments, it's impossible for me not to create. I strive to impart my love of nature into my work, and I hope that people feel and share that sense of meaning when they wear my pieces.
