I’ve always lived by the sea, but moving to the subtropics has influenced the forms I draw and forge in my jewelry. I combine natural shells and the imagery of creeping vines, foliage, and lush flowers to speak of the environment that surrounds me. I build settings for shells and stones out of gold sheets and wires. I sculpt the silver by forging round sterling wires on an anvil to achieve a fluid sense of motion. Traditional blacksmithing techniques and hand tools are the foundation of my metals practice.