I am a metalsmith, maker, and community-rooted artisan working in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds. My practice is rooted in a philosophy I call Rural Organic—art that is “made by these hands,” shaped by the slow rhythms of rural living, and grounded in the textures of natural materials and historic place.
Working primarily with sterling silver, pure silver, copper, and brass, I begin with sheet or wire and let each piece evolve through hammer strikes, forging, metal printing, soldering, fusing, and cold connections. Finishing by hand—filing, tumbling, polishing—imbues every object with a subtle breath of life. I see these processes as more than techniques: they are acts of patience, mindfulness, and presence. Each piece becomes a quiet invitation to pause, touch, and remember.
But my creativity does not live in metals alone. I am endlessly curious, and my studio is shaped by overlapping interests: fiber arts, bead embroidery, dry felting, vintage typewriters, antiques, gardening, and journaling. I see no boundaries between these worlds—everything informs everything else. A row of seedlings in the garden echoes the repetition of stamped metal textures. A weekend restoring a vintage typewriter reminds me of the patience required for hand-forged detail. A cast-iron skillet, seasoned by years of meals, speaks to the beauty of use and endurance—qualities I also seek in my jewelry.
I am also a collector of stories and tools. Vintage manual typewriters are one of my passions: from a 1903 Smith Premier No. 4 underwriter to a 1957 Olympia SG1, these machines inspire interactive projects such as the Public Typewriter Project, where community members are invited to type their own words and memories. These projects honor not only design and craftsmanship but also the human impulse to leave a mark, to write, to connect.
My studio itself is a work of art and love—sunlight-filled, organized, and alive with houseplants, well-loved tools, and even a loyal companion, a busy Border Collie, named Toshiko). It is both sanctuary and laboratory, where ideas are tested, objects are refined, and traditions are carried forward.
Just as important as what I make is where I make it. I am proud to be part of the Wilds Cooperative of PA, a juried artisan, and an early contributor to the region’s artisan brand program. My work has been exhibited across Pennsylvania—from Pittsburgh’s HandMade Arcade and Three Rivers Arts Fest, to Philadelphia’s Manayunk Arts Festival, Wilkes-Barre’s Fine Arts Fiesta, and many regional festivals and pop-ups. I have been honored as Champion of the PA Wilds (2006) and Best Brand Ambassador (2016), and I currently serve as president of the Johnsonburg Community Trust, working to celebrate and revitalize our town through heritage and the arts.
Outside the studio, I find inspiration in the simple rituals of daily life: sketching or watercoloring in travel journals, wandering Main Street antique shops, visiting farmers’ markets, cooking with cast iron, or enjoying a local craft beer. These moments remind me that making is not separate from living—it is threaded through it.
At its heart, my work is about connection: between hand and material, between heritage and modern life, between people and place. Whether I am hammering silver, tending plants, restoring a typewriter, or hosting a community event, I am guided by the same intention: to create objects and experiences that help people slow down, notice details, and feel rooted in the beauty of the everyday.
Pennsylvania Wilds ArtsFest, PA Wilds Conservation Shop Buyer's Market, PA Wilds Virtual Makers Market, LH JAMS JAZZ & ART ON MAIN STREET FESTIVAL, Stars in the Arts, PA Wilds Pop-up Shops, PA Wilds Art Invitational at Lynn Hall, Art in the Wilds and Taste of the Arts.
