Over the years I have released several collections that focus on different aspects of the night sky, constellations, the moon and its phases, moon spirits, dreams, and introspection. Ask the Moon to Come is the most recent collection and is, by far, the most cohesive. 

This collection, more than any others, holds deep personal meaning. Ask the Moon to Come ties together threads and memories from my childhood. It connects with a beloved Lady in the Moon story-turned-meditation that has been a longtime comfort, a source of insight and wisdom, and a beacon of hope in dark times. As I was developing the concepts for these pieces, the breath-taking meaning behind Sara Bareilles’ song Satellite Call came to mind and was integrated alongside other inspiration found in Rumi, Hafiz, Sappho, Pablo Neruda, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and more. 

This collection further brings together personal explorations, Self-work, mindfulness practice, and creative research that I’ve done across several years, starting in Portland and continuing again in present day. It draws upon the idea of the moon as a symbol of introspection and turning inward, of the interplay of light and dark, of dreams and archetypes, of the heart and soul, and of cycles and patterns found in life.

This collection also connects to the development of my concept-based artwork. Most notably is the body of work by author Marina Warner, a mythographer and historian known for her writing on feminism, art, history, and especially myths; she draws fascinating connections between these things and shows why some stories and depictions have held such deep meaning or significance to us across time. Additionally, Joseph Campbell’s Hero With a Thousand Faces delves into the reasons that people revisit, retell, and add their own creative voice to the myths. I expanded my knowledge of past beliefs, folk tales, moon spirits and myths with the addition of The Encyclopedia of Spirits by Judika Illes.

Lastly, this collection draws upon more than one area of my art background: ink illustration, graphic design typesetting, and traditional printmaking techniques of relief printing and intaglio were adapted into my jewelry techniques. Flammarion’s 1888 star/meteorology engraving served as an anchor for the moon pieces and was used to imprint several pendants in this collection. 

Perhaps this is all superfluous compared to the visible, tangible pieces or personal connections that viewers will make themselves, but it’s rare that I really dig deep to outwardly share the full scope of my creative process. I felt compelled to communicate the meaning behind this one since it has been a profound experience to research, develop, and create. 

Awake my dear.
Be kind to your sleeping heart.
Take it out
Into the vast fields of Light
And let it breathe.
(— Hafiz)

It was as though the sky
had silently kissed the earth,
so that it now had to dream of sky
in shimmers of flowers.

The air went through the fields,
the corn-ears leaned heavy down
the woods swished softly—
so clear with stars was the night

And my soul stretched
its wings out wide,
flew through the silent lands
as though it were flying home.
 

Bees hold a special meaning to many cultures across time and geography. No matter the origin, the most commonly held belief is that the bee represents the human soul. It is selfless, immortal. 

The Beekeeper series is one of the longest running themes in my work alongside moons, stars, and the ocean myths.

Hand sculpted silver honeycomb components, metalwork, hand forged wire, and honey-warm gemstones are woven throughout this ongoing series.

It was as though the sky
had silently kissed the earth,
so that it now had to dream of sky
in shimmers of flowers.

The air went through the fields,
the corn-ears leaned heavy down
the woods swished softly—
so clear with stars was the night

And my soul stretched
its wings out wide,
flew through the silent lands
as though it were flying home.

This Moons of Jupiter series features metalwork sterling silver or copper wire settings, each of which hold a one-of-a-kind Beadles (beadles.de) lampwork moon focal created by Gail Kops. Some moon focals were two-sided and could be worn with either side facing outward: the full moon, or the crescent moon. Each moon has a starry zircon companion in the sky that shines brighter than the hinted myriad of stars in the indigo night. 

Gail has featured me on her website in the designer gallery! 

The oaks and the pines, and their brethren of the wood, have seen so many suns rise and set, so many seasons come and go, and so many generations pass into silence, that we may well wonder what the story of the trees would be to us if they had tongues to tell it, or ears fine enough for us to understand.

I have oft revisited trees in my work—from Yggdrasil the World Tree, to roots, branches, leaves, and dryads (tree spirits). 

To the elements it came from
Everything will return.
Our bodies to earth,
Our blood to water,
Heat to fire,
Breath to air.

Empedocles was a Greek philosopher who established the presence of four magical elements. These four elements were referred to as "roots" and were identified by the mythical names of Zeus, Hera, Nestis, and Aidoneus. Additionally, Aristotle added aether as the fifth element, the quintessence. 

These open mandala style pendants were handcrafted out of sterling silver with a myriad of gemstones to represent the elements and seasons.

When winds that move not its calm surface sweep
The azure sea, I love the land no more.
(—Moschus)

I have revisited ocean myths three times, each time exploring the depths of the sea, oceanic myths, sea creatures, and the expression of the sea's primordial chaos. 

Psyche exemplifies a woman's search for authentic personal growth, a reminder that the integration of our experiences, however sad or frightening they may be, matures and transforms us, much like the symbol of the butterfly emerging into the light from its dark cocoon. 

I began to explore this overarching theme about ten years ago, revisiting it at various turns along the way. 

I base much of my work on the seasons and life cycles. I like finding the balance point between light and dark, cold and warmth. I love observing the subtle shifts of the earth—and also within ourselves as we transition not just between the months and years, but also through different phases in our lives. 

The Otherworld serves as a journey into fantasy, allegory, metaphor, and myth. Since my creative work so often centers on myths and the ebb and flow of the year, the following quote from The Hero with a Thousand Faces sticks in the forefront of my mind. The author delves into the reasons that people revisit, retell, and add their own creative voice to myths:

"...while all stories have already been told, this is not a bad thing, since the retelling is still necessary. And while our own life's journey must always be ended alone, the travel is undertaken in the company not only of immediate loved ones and primal passion, but of the heroes and heroines—and myth-cycles—that have preceded us."

Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray. —Rumi

These handcrafted fine silver bracket bracelets were typographically set, laser cut onto an imprint plate, imprinted onto metal clay, fired, polished, antiqued with a high-contrast oxidized finish and a distressed “paper texture” finish to the surface of the silver. They were embellished with silk yoga wraps.