My Latest Designs

While everyone else in the world was watching the Super Bowl, I was in the basement working in my studio. This is a custom order for a friend who wanted to surprise his wife after their daughter was born. And the colors are nice for Valentine's Day too.


The chocolate brown jasper "chicklets" work well with the link pink Rhodonite nuggets and light rose Swarovski crystals. I hope she loves it!


And since Valentine's day is right around the corner here is the "My Michele" necklace inspired by a friend that spotted these cool hearts at a bead show in Louisville. I made the heart into a pendant and used faceted garnet rondelles and onyx. I made a similar version for myself, as she bought me a heart too.

Latest Design Challenge

A friend from college asked me to create a necklace for her mom with beads that her mom had already purchased. They just wanted me to design the piece using only the beads they purchased and then string it. She brought me a bag filled with chocolate brown and white jasper. There were three different styles of beads: round, flat asymmetrical, and larger faceted chunks.

This was a fun project for me as it's not what I would normally create. Again, sometimes we get into a rut of designing the same/similar styles, or things that ~we~ like because that's what we know! And there is nothing wrong with that. But I love when I get a design challenge as it gives me the opportunity to grow as an artist and try something new.

The best part is when I was finished, I was told that the necklace was exactly what she had in mind. Mission accomplished!