“Right now, I am working on metal-worked jewelry. The process of creating a piece starts out with sketches. I start out with a design on paper, and then I cut out that design and put it on a metal sheet. Then I begin to transfer that design onto the metal. I cut it out myself – I want my pieces to have a handmade look. I want them to be unique.
With jewelry making, it’s a lot of investment on your tools. My room is just full of different types of hammers and different types of saws and files and mandrels. Different types of solders. It’s a very long process, but it’s enjoyable for me. I find it very therapeutic when I can create my own jewelry and create other people’s jewelry.
When I collaborate with someone, I begin with meeting with them and asking what they want for a piece, what it’s for. A lot of times there’s a special meaning behind it, like engagement rings or whatnot. I collaborate with the person; It’s not just me telling them what their design is going to look like. I try to incorporate their ideas into it. Then we create the sketch together. Sometimes we talk about the meaning of stones, how some stones mean empowerment for women. They tend to really like using moonstone, and that’s why I like to use it. A lot of times it’s really cool to work with a person in making their piece come to life.
Thinking back on my memories as a child. I was seriously most inspired by the creators in my life. Those were the people I looked up to. My grandfather’s a painter, my uncle does pastel painting. I saw a lot of that growing up, but it wasn’t until I got into high school that I really started to understand and really get into my artwork. My teachers were the ones I looked up to. I was just very inspired by them. I wanted to do that with my daughters, to see that it’s OK to be creative and make it your passion. I want my daughters to see me doing this for myself, doing something that makes me happy.
I lived in L.A. I lived south of Houston. I just didn’t find that community there, the ‘people piece.’ There weren’t people there who wanted to support you. People were just out for themselves. They weren’t out there to help a group of people grow. I think that’s why I appreciate Goshen. We want what’s best for one another. That’s why I moved back to the area. I wanted to raise my daughter in that kind of environment. It’s just really supportive for artists, and I appreciate that so much. I’ve seen so much change over the years. There’s more to offer now and it’s so awesome and I want it to keep going.”
