Jewelry
Metalsmithing
At 18, I began taking metalsmithing classes at NMSU, with the desire to learn to set stones that I had cut and cabbed myself. I took a metalsmithing class every semester until I had taken them all, and after that I took independent study. I was able to help teach some classes and explore designs and techniques that I was interested in learning.
I really fell in love with a technique called lost wax casting. It is generally used in large-scale jewelry production but also provides a way to transform organic materials into precious metals.
Prickly Muse
Growing up in the Sonoran desert, I was always fascinated by the unique plant and animal life. After having learned to cast I started to look at the plant life surrounding me in a whole new way.
The first plant material that I focused on working with was the decayed structure of the prickly pear cacti (opuntia spp.). I found a few pieces on a hike and immediately started to experiment with the material.
Succulents and Such
On a visit to a plant nursery, I was inspired by all the interesting textures and forms. I also noticed some made great casting candidates. Soon I began growing crown of thorns, orchids, and various succulent to cast in silver and bronze.
Casting Calls
Soon the technical challenges of casting and the pleasure of alchemy, of transforming organic to inorganic matter led me to create an entire one-of-a-kind series of silver and bronze succulent and opuntia jewelry often embellished with precious and semi-precious gemstones and bronze cast statues.