I’ve always been an artist and enjoyed making things with my hands. I got my BFA in Crafts from University of Illinois with an emphasis in Glass, learning glassblowing, casting, fusing, and slumping. I was one class short of a double major in Metalsmithing, and that was the direction I went after graduating and started my own jewelry business. Years later I decided to stay home to raise my kids, putting my company aside and instead pouring my creative energy into finger paint, playdough, and washable markers. In 2022, they were both teenagers (and taller than me!), so I decided to take a little time for myself and signed up for a ceramics class at my local park district. It took me a minute to remember how to throw on the wheel and I was not very good, but I loved how it felt to make things with my hands again. I signed up for more classes in more locations, practiced with different instructors, learned new techniques, and practiced some more.

One day, I took home a few pieces that were in the right stage of drying, and carved and stamped designs into them with things I found around the house. This was the moment for me. I loved it! I found that I could put all the doodles, mandalas, nature- and architecture-inspired ideas I have in my head onto the clay. It was SO satisfying! Carving clay and creating designs is amazing and I want to do it every day. I hope you will come on this journey with me as my designs evolve and change. Let’s see where it goes!