About the Artist

Genesis

My jewelry making days began a few years ago when a friend gave me a single quartz bead. I took the beautiful piece to the bead store and had my first jewelry design experience. I loved selecting other beads to compliment my central crystal and was inspired by all of the possible outcomes. I took my precious tidbits home with me and set out to make the most beautiful necklace ever fashioned. That first necklace was a flop - asymmetrical, flimsily strung, and it clashed - but I loved it anyway. That experience awakened me to the world of three-dimensional art and a hobby quickly turned into a passion. I had always been an artistic person, flourishing especially in the dramatic arts, but did not think I was talented enough for craftwork. Jewelry helped me find both a new medium and a creative outlet. Soon I had more pieces of jewelry than a woman could possibly wear on her own and I decided to start spreading the fun around.

Influences

Emphasizing playfulness, unusual juxtaposition, and unique designs I strive to make my one-of-a-kind pieces both fashionable and wearable. I am heavily influenced by inner space and outer space creating bright and colorful pieces resembling DNA or star clusters, like microcosms floating around the neck or wrist. I also find inspiration from toys and cartoon color palettes suggesting marbles, fuzzy bugs, googly eyes, crayons, and other fun objects. I create from my seaside Santa Cruz studio with the help of my affectionate and persistent cat, Madison.