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My work is created using vintage postcards from the 1940’s, resin and sterling silver. The images I choose are of our favorite tourist destinations and scenes in America. Each piece of jewelry is individually designed. Postcards are cut and set in bezels that are made to fit each piece out of sterling silver. Resin is poured as a finish giving it a glassy surface. The process is labor intensive and complicated. Every piece contains a section of real vintage postcard and is therefore one-of-a-kind.
My inspiration comes mainly from the postcard images, but also from Victorian era jewelry created in Europe. Travelers in the late 19th century could buy what was called souvenir jewelry in places like Rome or Paris, created by designers such as Castellani and Giulliano. I also get inspiration from ancient Greek classical design. The same Greek style elements were incorporated into Victorian era jewelry designs of the mid to late 19th Century. Designers of the Victorian period were heavily influenced by Greek designs and copied many of the ancient pieces. Their work draws heavily from ancient Greek masterpieces, but includes a whimsical quality or conversely, a dramatic sentimental appeal. I find these twists to be the most intriguing and I have adopted them and pushed them even further in my work.
I grew up in Houston, Texas and attended University of Texas at Austin. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art (metal and ceramics) in 1992. I later attended Austin Community College in 1993 where I learned welding. I went on tom make and sell metal furniture with handmade tile work. In 1994, I attended a somewhat life-changing workshop at Haystack Mountain School of Craft taught by Tim McCreight, a leader in metalsmithing art. The knowledge and inspiration I gained there led me to begin making jewelry as I found I had a fondness for making smaller and more intimate objects. From 1995 to 1999 I was an assistant to Sunyong Chung at Ginko Studios in Austin where she creates handmade colored porcelain dinnerware. I learned
a great deal from her about running a successful craft studio.
My current business is “Baby Jane”. I produce from a 400 square foot studio behind my house where I make all my jewelry as well as sculptural work. I also teach Art Metals at Austin Community College and I have found this experience to be very rewarding.
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