Bio

Artist Statement: My jewelry consists of mixed metals such as copper, brass, bronze, sterling and fine silver. To create my 'fire painted' jewelry I use a torch on a jewelry grade copper sheet in an 11 step process I have developed over 14 years. I guide the flame to bring out the glorious patterns and luminous hues naturally hidden in the copper. There are no patinas used. I search the fire painted sheets and select where to hand cut my shapes then using a jeweler's saw or shears, cut my designs from the sheet. Many times I incorporate semi precious gemstones and set them in fine silver to complement the colors in the copper. I implement hot and cold metal-smithing techniques such as soldering, bezel setting, riveting, wire-wrapping and torch fusing.

Although I have mastered the technique of guiding the flame, no two pieces may ever be duplicated due to the wild nature of flame on copper. It truly has a mind of it’s own. My love of color and shape guide my inspiration and I love the anticipation of surprise every time the colors emerge. 

Gallery: 
The Roycroft Copper Shop, Chur Gallery,
East Aurora, NY

Artist Bio:  
University of Hartford, CT, Art School.
BA Fine Art, Magna Cum Laude,1986.
Concentrations in Painting and Sculpture. 
Independent Study w/ Master Pastelist Albert Handell.
Metal-smithing studies with Sharon Jeter. 

Selected to design & create jewelry for 2019 & 2021 inductees of: 
The National Women's Hall of Fame, Induction Ceremony.
September, 2019 & September, 2022 

Art and Fine Craft Show Awards in Jewelry Category:

Best in Category:
Venice-Nokomis, FL 2020
Corning, NY Glassfest, 2019
New Hope, PA Fine Art and Craft Show, 2018
Artists Row, Rochester, NY 2017
Saucon Creek, PA, Fine Art and Craft Show, 2017

Third in Category:
New Hope, PA Fine Art and Craft Show, 2017
Lewiston, NY Fine Art and Craft Show, 2017

Honorable Mention:
Hot Works, West Palm Beach, FL, 2020
Colorscape, Norwich, NY, 2019
Syracuse, NY ACU Fine Art and Craft Show, 2018
100 American Craftsmen, Keenan Center, NY 2017

2019, Arts Beats & Eats, Royal Oak, Michigan. 
Voted Customer Favorite, 3rd place of 180 National Artists.