My love and passion for my craft is as strong today as it has ever been! I grew up in western Michigan. After serving in the US Army, I accepted an invitation to move to Montreal Canada for a short period of time. There I was introduced to the jewelry industry. I return to western Michigan where I had the golden opportunity to serve a European style apprenticeship for over five years under noted L
atvian Master Goldsmith Hugo V. My training covered many facets of the jewelry industry. I was trained in handcrafting, repair, restoration, stone setting and much much more. I was most fascinated by and engaged in the crafting of traditional Latvian style jewelry that dates back to approximately 1000 years BC. Latvian designs are most notable for the wide range of heavy wire braiding, wire twists, and patterned engraving, along with the use of Baltic amber. After my apprenticeship I moved to Oregon where my design concepts and gem selections vastly expanded. I displayed my jewelry work in art shows and exhibitions along the West coast. I worked with everything from diamonds to Jasper, and in both gold and silver. I also worked with local artists and native American craftsmen while there. It's worth noting that several of my pieces were purchased and featured in the Vancouver Art Museum in Canada. (1975)
In 1977 I began working in the New York City diamond district where many of my designs were featured in a prestigious New York jewelry manufacturing firm's catalog. Working in the diamond district taught me all forms of production manufacturing, diamond setting, mold-making and casting on a very large scale. I also had the privilege to participate in advanced platinum crafting and design seminars sponsored by major platinum refiners
In the early 1980s I returned again to Western Michigan to live, work and raise a family. I owned and operated a retail store and design studio in Kalamazoo for over 16 years. I have had many of my jewelry items featured in local West Michigan magazines. When I closed my retail store in 1998 I moved to Holland Michigan, where I have worked for other local retail jewelers until recently.
2016 brings me back to full self-employment which is very exciting to me and my family. I am using all that I have learned in my travels to guide me in producing new and unusual items for today. My designs range from traditional to abstract wearable art, from serious to whimsical, from grand to small, from one of a kind to limited editions. I have many unusual and unique cut gems that I have picked up through my travels and now have the opportunity to craft jewelry featuring them. I have studied some gems and minerals for long periods of time until just the right design reveals itself to me. An initial concept may be worked in wax in a dozen variations until the flow of the design truly reflects the flow of the gem, and I can find the "zone" for carving. Though I mostly craft from my imagination I also love working with potential customer’s specifications to develop their desired piece, or to pull from them the design they are feeling but can't express. Many times this has taken me into design areas I would never have thought to go. I do thank everyone for their support! Large and small it does mean so much to me.
