Expressing Life

I've always "had" to make something, and that need to create is what defines "living" to me.

Two things - "creating" and "life" go hand in hand. For me one does not exist without the other.  Creative works always come from interacting in life, people, places, events, roles, circumstances or family.  I've been blessed with many wonderful people and opportunities in my life and I've been able to live in some amazing places - not all with running water, solid walls or regular electricity.  I've participated in some of the hardest challenging life situations and some of the most fortunate - both have been a source of inspiration and understanding.

Along the way I've been to University and completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts Degree with a major in photography and minors in Fine Art and Ceramics.  I've studied and taught Fine Art and Photography and exhibited in many galleries.

When it comes to creating jewelry - it's not work - it's play.  I respond to the collection of components in my studio in a very intuitive, spontaneous way.  Very rarely is a piece pre-thought or planned most often I walk into my studio, stand in front of hundreds of compartments full of treasures, look and pick up components and put them together.   It's one of the least complicated things in my life. I love how immediate the creations are, how the textures, shapes, colours combine and compliment one another - a picture of life - of interacting.

The process of making jewelry brings me a lot of pleasure - part of that pleasure is knowing that the creations are treasured and worn by people all over the world, in all kinds of circumstances.

So as always I say - "Enjoy"

Jo