About

I always wanted to be an artist, but instead I became a journalist. Working as a photographer and writer satisfied my creativity in many ways, but on my days off I explored different genres. Jewelry – small, wearable sculpture – has always fascinated me. I began my exploration of the art form in 1994 when I took my first class at the Peoria (Illinois) Art Guild, where I learned how to solder and manipulate metal. Over the years I have traveled far and wide to broaden my skills, taking classes in stone setting and wax carving in the New Approach School of Jewelry in Virginia, and growing artistically at intensive two-week seminars at the nations most revered craft schools – Haystack Mountain School of Craft in Maine and Penland School of Craft in North Carolina.

Because jewelry is an intimate artform which adorns the body, tactile elements from nature inspire my work. In addition to my interpretation of natural shapes, actual foliage is often incorporated into designs – that tiny leaf was once a living thing, immortalized through the ancient process of lost wax casting!

I hope you find something you love, because each piece truly does come from the heart.

-Leslie