Country: USA

Design/Expertise-related information

What technique(s) are you particularly focusing on?
I primarily work in steel wire, incorporating crystal and found objects.

Since when have you already been holding workshops?
Since 2003--my ten-year anniversary will be in 2013!

What fascinates you about using SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS?
How SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS continually keeps to the pulse of color, shape, and cut. There are always exciting new elements on the horizon which makes working with this brand so fabulous!

What is your favorite SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS color?
I love, love, love the new Gemstone Pearl colors! Yummy!

What is your favorite SWAROVSKI ELEMENT and why?
I love the Pegasus Pendant art. 6150! It’s so bold!

What was your first experience designing with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS?
Before I became an ambassador, I wrote a book on up-cycling vintage costume jewelry (Vintage Redux, Kalmbach Publishing Co.). I found a bunch of vintage SWAROVSKI chaton elements in matte pastel and fell in love! Those pieces found their way into my next book, Steel Wire Jewelry!

What is your favorite design you have ever created with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS?
My Rocking Monday Bangle in the 2012 issue of SOUND!

Personal information

What are your hobbies?
Flea markets, estate sales, rummage and garage sales are my favorite things! I love skulking around looking for old things and oddities!

How would you describe yourself in three words?
Warm, friendly, goofy!

What would you definitely take with you on a lonely island?
My family first; my jewelry making stuff a close second!

What is the first thing at the day you usually do?
Check email, texts, and Facebook from my iPhone in bed!

What is your motto of life?
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." - Goethe

What advice do you have for new SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS enthusiasts?
Your first priority is to create, create, create. The rest will come to you!