1.How would you describe the art that you create?
For a long time I created bold jewelry that was solidly infused with strong nomadic tribal influences… then I moved onto to produce a delicate and refined approach to my jewelry, becoming seduced with texture, almost immediately fabric elements where incorporated into my jewelry. Once this transition took place it sent me on a journey to respect the strong nature of fabric and thread and before long my path as a mixed media fabric artist begin to unfold… my fabric art tends to have the common echo’s of my jewelry as I find that I tend to create a time worn appearance by altering new fabrics to lead people to believe that my creations were created century’s ago. Whilst leading them to dream of the future just as much as the past. I employ words and poems in most of my fabric work as a way to add impact and texture. The color red alongside the heart figure often travels from my jewelry to my fabric work as a reminder that we are all strong, courageous and brave.

2.How has being an artist impacted your life?
When I am fully engaged in creating I am at my best. My art has allowed me to be the strong courageous person that I have grown to be. Art has truly given me wings to fly!

3.What is your first creative memory?
As a young girl I spent a great deal of time daydreaming in the yard mixing magical potions out of seedpods with dirt and water. But as I teen I was fortunate to go to a school that had a full art department that included a fully stocked jewelry studio where I would spend much of my time learning my craft and testing out new ideas.

4.How do you stay inspired?
My method for creative works a little like this: I infrequently produce art daily however I will be thinking about it. I allow inspiration to build up within myself then when the time comes and I have a fully formed idea that needs to be worked out then I will spend a vast amount of time in my studio… days or weeks working until I have exhausted all the possibilities. I am so fortunate that my family is understanding and allows me this huge extravagance!

5.Who is/are your hero(es), and why?
My mother has always been my Hero. She was a single working mom who fully supported my sister and my self. She did not always make it to school and sporting advents when I was growing up, however she instilled in me the knowledge that I could be and do what ever I want to be… all I had to do was try. And she was right! Have the courage to believe in your self and amazing things will follow!

6.What advice would you give to new artists, or those exploring a new artistic medium?
Learn about your craft. Obtain understanding about what you want to construct. Take a look around study what others are doing and see what is out there… Use your eyes but follow your heart! Don’t let any one tell you that you cant because you can!

7.What three tools or supplies could you not live without?
Hands down I adore my sewing machine! And I could not be without my jewelry tool set (round nose pliers, chain nose pliers and flush cutters) and last but not lest my leather punch that has been by my side from when I was about 12. (I use this tool to punch holes in just about everything!)

8.Aside from creating art, what do you do in your spare time?
I have a passion for teahouses, museums and traveling with my family.

9.What is your favorite quote?
Let the beauty you love, be what you do. ~Rumi

10.What would you try if you knew you could not fail?
I view life as a journey and sometimes we discover that we can learn more from our setbacks… “Fail” is not in the equation for me. I believe that our successes are measured by are joys just as much as our sorrows. once we set our self up to view life as a passage and trust in our self the obstacles the appear before us are quite small compared to the essence within us.