The first jewelry I remember making was with twist ties that came with sandwich bags before they were the fold over type. I stripped the paper off the wires and replaced it with little sleeves made from paper that I had colored, to my specifications, with either crayons or colored pencils and cellophane tape.

I stored the wires and their interchangeable covers in a matchbox that I’m certain I lined and covered in some fashion, though I don’t remember exactly how. I was not, at the time, allowed to wear earrings and I did not have pierced ears so I just squeezed these make-shift hoops onto my ear lobes while riding the bus to school, selecting the paper sleeves to cover the wires that matched whatever outfit I was wearing to fourth grade that day. It wasn't about having earrings to wear. It was the making that I loved.

Experience:

• Designer / Jeweler / Metalsmith, Portland, ME, 1987-present. Professional craftsperson, designing, producing and marketing original work thru juried national wholesale / retail events , local and online markets.
• Fore River Gallery, Portland, ME 2012 - present. Partner in four person co-op gallery.
• 9 Hands Gallery, Portland, ME, 2007-2012. Founder and Partner of 3-5 person co-op gallery, noted in local press for unique business plan and administrative practices.
• Instructor, Portland, ME, 1987-present. Teaching individuals and classes in my studio, at Maine College of Art, Portland Pottery, Haystack Mountain School, Phoenix Glass Studio, and Metal Kitchen, NYC
• Manager, Charlotte's, NYC, 1984-1987, a premier catering and event planning company
• Assistant Manager, Handcrafters Gallery, Portland, ME 1982-1984, (presently Abacus)

Education:

• BFA, Maine College of Art, Portland, ME, 1982, Jewelry / Metals, Dean's list, recipient of Doris Dean Scholarship and Eudolia Gross Award for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution of Self.
• Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC, 1978-1980, Eight week Concentration in Metals, three summer sessions in Sculpture
• University of Maine, Orono, ME, 1974-1978, art major, liberal arts studies

Continuing Education:

• Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME, 1987 & 2004. Three week session in metals and two week session in lampworking. Weekend workshops in metals and fibers.
• Parsons School of Design, New York, NY, 1983. Jewelry Rendering and Illustration

  Publications:

• Editorial Coverage in the following periodicals: Jewelers Circular Keystone, Metalsmith, Cigar Aficionado, Glamour, Ornament, Bead and Button, Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors

Community:

• Alumni Council, Maine College of Art, 2009-present
• Maine Crafts Association, board member and secretary of board 1997 - 2000 member 1987-2000 Community Metals Workshops, organizer and administrator 1989 - 1990

Travel:

• 2012 Three week residence in Delhi, India as medical companion. Textile and gem research in Delhi and Jaipur
• 2005, Two week glass bead and pate de verre workshop and travel in southern France
• 2000, One week outdoor adventure in Costa Rica
• 1996, Three weeks travel and trekking in northern India
• 1990, Two week safari and study of personal adornment in Kenya and Tanzania