"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" The John Lennon quote captures how I became a jeweler. I was always interested in fishing and everything sea life (my hero= Jacques Cousteau, 1970's), so I set out to become a marine biologist. I worked my way through college with a business partnership, crafting simple jewelry and polishing opals. One day my partners jewelry was stolen and I left college to take a job and repay him. At the time I was devastated. I now feel that this "disaster" became God's way of redirecting my life. I accepted a jewelry apprenticeship. I had no idea how rare these positions are. I fell in love with the process of designing and then forming jewelry in metals. This launched my 40 year career as a gold and silver smith. Today, my interest in nature and sea life is as strong as ever. Now my designs reflect this. I hope that my jewelry will serve to inspire an appreciation of the grace and beauty we see reflected in nature.
Inspiration
When I first came here from Germany at age 13, I was awestruck by the lofty peaks of the Sierras and the expansive beauty of the sea. Now living in Portland the majestic Cascade mountains and rugged Pacific coast inspire my jewelry designs. In fact, when I’m not here at my studio you might find me with a fishing pole or hiking stick in hand. Among my creations you will find salmon and whale rings, eagle pendants and many other sea life, wildlife and North West designs. The elegance, flow and beauty of nature also inform my approach to more traditional fine jewelry. My aim is to design art that is alive and tells a story. I craft jewelry in silver and gold and set it with unique gems from around the world. Some I cut and polish, such as exotic opals, South West turquoise, fire agate and black jade from Wyoming. If pearls are your passion, you will find Tahitian and natural Mississippi River pearls in round and unusual shapes and colors. 40 years of custom work in California and Oregon have equipped me with the skills and techniques to craft your wedding ring, anniversary ring or pendant for that special occasion.
My Creds
I’m an accomplished jeweler, designer and instructor and bring 40 years of experience and inspired passion to my designs. After completing an Apprenticeship, I received further training from the Revere Academy in San Francisco and was instructed by the renowned Dieter Mueller-Stach, at CSULB. It was here that I earned a BA in Speech Communication. Over the decades I have had the privilege of teaching in several Jewelry Arts programs, both at Art Centers and at my own studio. Finally I was the 2nd jeweler in California to become a Certified Senior Bench Jeweler in Jeweler's of America's esteemed program.