I am an award-winning Chicago-based metalsmith and artist. My love of creating jewelry began during a high school trip to Israel, where I sold small handmade bracelets in Jerusalem for a little extra spending money. As an adult, I discovered a love of working with metal when studying metalsmithing at Lillstreet Art Center in Ravenswood.
I make organic, sometimes asymmetrical, always one-of-a-kind pieces - using a variety of metals, wood, and gemstones/vintage glass. I also create custom work, including wedding rings, anniversary bands, and commemorative pieces.
I have three main lines of jewelry:
WOOD WITH METAL INLAY: Each piece is hand-sculpted from a variety of exotic hardwoods, then metal (silver or gold-filled) is added in dot or line inlay. Some also have pearls or gemstones added. Once complete, the wood is sealed with a wax finish.
"ORGANICS" LOST WAX CASTING: I sculpt a piece out of jeweler's wax, then create a negative impression mold out of investment plaster. Then, I cast molten sterling silver into the mold; which destroys it – so each piece is unique. I am inspired by organic shapes, such as vines or roots to create asymmetrical and layered pieces; sometimes adding gemstones or gold accents.
"COILS"/"FRAMES": These clean, simple pieces combine metals (gold-filled, sterling silver, brass or copper) and can have an industrial-inspired coil motif, bringing 3-dimensional curvature to a piece – or geometric shapes formed in unusual combinations with semiprecious stones, pearls, or mid-century vintage glass (usually dated between 1950s-1970s). Sometimes silk fiber is used as the coiling around the metal to add color and a texture contrast. Many of the pieces have mobile parts, so one can spin/rotate/slide sections of the jewelry when worn.
I am also a professional actor, working in both in film and theater in Chicago.
AWARDS
2014: Downtown Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival - Best in Category: Non-Precious Jewelry
2015: Art Fair on the Square (Lake Forest) – Best in Category: Jewelry (non-precious)
2018: Art Fair on the Square (Lake Forest) – Best in Category: Jewelry (non-precious)
2019: Art Fair on the Square (Lake Forest) – Best in Category: Jewelry (non-precious)
2022: Lincoln Roscoe Art + Craft Fair (Chicago) – Best in Category: Jewelry
2022: Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival (Hinsdale) – Honorable Mention
2022: Southport Art Fest (Chicago) – Best in Category: Jewelry
2023: Lincoln Roscoe Art + Craft Fair (Chicago) – Outstanding Achievement
2023: Wells Street Art Festival (Chicago) – 1st Place, Jewelry
2023: Greenwich Village Art Fair (Rockford) – Honorable Mention
2024: Lincoln Roscoe Art + Craft Fair (Chicago) – 1st Place, Jewelry
2024: Prairie Arts Festival (Schaumburg) – 2nd Place in Show
