Tennessee

Sarratt Arts Program – Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts – Gatlinburg, TN

Penland School of Crafts – Spruce Pine, NC

I have been making art in some form or fashion for most of my life. But while I have explored a lot of different mediums, eventually my path led me to take a class in metalsmithing at Vanderbilt University and, since then, I have focused most of my energies there. After initially taking a class in cold connections, I fell in love with the medium and have since taken other classes that covered soldering, both traditional and alternative stone setting techniques, low tech surface preparations and enameling. In 2017, I was selected to participate in the most recent session of the Master Artist Apprentice Program that is jointly sponsored by TN Craft and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

I am fascinated with the myriad ways that metal can be manipulated and connected to not only other metals, but also entirely different types of materials, to bring an idea to life.

And, in all honesty, I think I am equally in love with the tools. It is just amazing how satisfying it is to be able to take a good tool in hand and use it to create something real that reflects what started out just as an idea.

I primarily work in sterling silver and my jewelry tends to be fairly whimsical. I particularly like incorporating elements that move as well as stones and, at times, text and found objects. I have always tended to choose the jewelry that I wear based on its ability to help me creatively express some aspect of my personality. I approach making jewelry in much the same way. But while I definitely want the pieces that I create to say something about me, my hope is that whoever wears them will do so because it helps them make their own statement about who they are.