The other morning, after waking up from having a nightmare inside of a nightmare, I realized a something. I have been spending too much time pushing in the wrong directions. Some of it is business related, some of it is personal, but what it comes down to is the need to pull back.

The internet is a strange place--it is so easy to believe that in order to be known in "the world" you have to spend all this time putting yourself out there on the internet. I am trying to find a balance. And in order to do so, I need to focus.

I need to be making, exploring, living. Not in this virtual world, but outside. I have to pull back in order to push forward (like a slingshot). I have to let things go, focus on others, and move forward. Mostly, I need to simply live in the real world for a while.

I hope you are living, making, and exploring as well, because there is a whole wide world out there just waiting for you. Go get it.

...they add up. The to-do lists, the obligations, the chores--they can quickly overwhelm you, if you let them. Sometimes, you just have to step back, and take a moment.

Take time to breathe.
Most things can wait.

Take time for friends--whether in a phone call, a text, a short visit, or one that lasts all day.

Many of the lessons I carry from my father are ones I learned after his passing. Or ones I didn't even know that I had learned until he was gone. Yesterday, I spent the day with one of my oldest friends, Kari. As she and I made our way around town eating lunch and visiting Powell's, followed by walking through a very windy Forest Park, I reflected.

One of my father's friends said at his memorial service (almost 10 years ago) that one of the best qualities my dad had was making time for people. He made time, and he made you feel like that time was the most important thing for him. He was present.

Yesterday felt a lot like a similar Thursday a couple months ago, where another friend and I wandered Portland, running errands, eating, laughing, and processing our emotional ups and downs. Both days spent with friends visiting from out of town. Both days completely set aside for those ladies. I do that. I clear my time for the people I love.

I invest in those who invest in me.
I take time.

And more and more, I realize how important it is, because you never know when that will be the last time you see that person.

Let's all be a little more present.

This is happening.

The Halite is here.
The new pink notebooks are on their way.
There will be trips to equestrian stores for salt licks this week (and somewhere to pick up carving tools).
And copious amounts of salt will be purchased.
Possibly a trip to the coast for saltwater.

This is happening.

When Sonya passed away, I wavered. Then I stood firm. The notebook we shared, which she had at the time, has gone missing. I wrote down everything I could remember that we talked about, and I have a few pictures of the notes as well. I started developing ideas. Then I wavered again.
Finally, I listened to the podcast on Bench Talk Radio--an interview with Rachel Timmins and Brigitte Martin, the founders of Co:operation: Garnish.

I thought, "Is this hopeless? Should I just...give up?" But then, the interviewer asked about the ration of collaboration between two artists. Is one person putting in 10% and the other 90% okay? It is. It is still a collaboration. In Sonya's absence, I can still move forward and bring our designs to light.

Her fascination with ancient roman jewelry, my (well, our) love of clean lines. We talked about necklaces, neckpieces, something for the shoulders. She had drawings of cameos in her notebook. She talked about tears, salt of the body.

This is happening.

Next week, I will be participating in OCAC's Annual Holiday Sale!!

All proceeds go towards student scholarships. Come on out, get your shopping done, and support our students! I was one of those scholarship students, and I can attest that I would not have finished my degree if not for the assistance I was given.

There's always amazing art for sale made by OCAC's Students and Alumni. Hope to see you there!!

Artists are notoriously attached to their work. I think it is really only with practice that we learn to detach. I realized the other day, as I was finishing up some orders from my clearance sale, that I had finally reached a place of truly saying goodbye to old designs.

In the past, I've always wanted to leave some of them behind, but I loved them so much that it was hard to.

I still love them. They are part of me! These designs, much like friends, have made me into the person/artist I am today.


For instance, my Flower Earrings are actually the very first earrings I ever designed. I worked diligently on them in my first year of Jewellery & Metalsmithing in Australia, taking on feedback, and improving them.


Similarly, my Seed Pod Earrings have always been a staple. These were made with the first matrix die I ever made during my production class at UniSA. I have always loved the design of the hook and the movement it lends to the earrings. Honestly, I wear my own pair of these most days of the week.

These, and other designs, have a huge place in my heart.

But as I was standing there in my studio, packing things up, I finally felt this sense of relief at letting them go. I am ready to move forward. It is a difficult step to take--I see artists and musicians go through this often. They get stuck in a certain format and can't truly move forward. I never want to be stagnant. I think it takes serious guts to move out of what you and others know of your work--to break boundaries. And I cannot truly express how infinitely rewarding it is to give yourself permission to do so.


New things are in the works. This is a shot with a mix of old and new work on my desk last week. I am striving for cleaner lines, focusing on shapes, form, and a few one-of-a-kind pieces along the way. New things are on the horizon and I couldn't be more excited!

I am looking at colors, fibers, metal, forms. I am seeing things in a new light. The last three years of being in school and finishing my (2nd) BFA have definitely changed my view of things--my love of fashion and couture was reignited during my thesis year, as was my passion for indigenous adornment from across the globe. I can't wait to show you what's next.

You may have noticed a few new things happening lately.

New shapes.

New inspirations.

New goals.

Over the past three years, my little Etsy Shop has puttered along, kind of in stasis. Now that I have graduated, I find that the more time I spend with old work, the more I realize I have changed. A lot. It's a good thing! I'm excited for all these changes.

And changes generally mean....out with the old, and in with the new.

So, I am having a clearance sale! Starting midnight tonight (Friday a.m.), everything in my Etsy Shop is 50% OFF for one week. It's time to shake off the dust and begin anew!

This week, I embark on a new journey. Rather, a new leaf in a continued journey--because what else is life? My work schedule as Studio Manager at OCAC has changed, which now allows me a lot more time to work in my own studio!

This means new beginnings in a whole host of ways--new routine, new studio, new designs, new business identity, new contacts--the list goes on. Over the past 3 years of finishing my Bachelor's degree, my little business has floated around, rather static, with little ups and downs. Now, when I see things like my stone collection, or old designs, I realize how much I have changed. I have been transformed.

Everything feels so fresh and lively, so full of hope. I have much more confidence in myself and my abilities. I know that if I want to source and use a ton of fiber in my designs, I will figure out a way, and they will be beautiful. I have faith in my own aesthetic.

I know that if I want to create a conceptual series relating to salt, that I can. Nothing can stop me.

I am open to new ideas, more determined to make things work, and I have a better grasp on just what it takes to do that. The future holds so much possibility, and I cannot wait to show you what's next.

A month ago today, my dear friend Sonya Scott unexpectedly took leave of this world. She had only been in my life for a handful of years, but she had an enormous impact. Not only that, but she was one of the only women I have met who I have instantly connected with and felt immediately close to. Being with her felt like being at home.

Sonya and I met over facebook--she contacted me in early 2010 to invite me to be in a group exhibition in Sydney, Australia (she was from Australia, which definitely factored into our connection). The exhibition was titled Reality Vs. Illusion and challenged me to flex my conceptual muscles and work with something I'd been wanting to explore for a while--my dreams. Over the months from invitation to the opening of the exhibition, we corresponded regularly, and continued to do so after the exhibition was over. I believe in the package that I sent over with my pieces, I included a pair of my Flower Earrings, as a little "thank you." Months later, I received a package from Sonya containing a gorgeous neckpiece from her Marked exhibition at Gaffa--I was stunned! Not only by the beauty of this piece, but because she had made interconnected links out of chalk. Woah.


That was the thing about Sonya. She was this beautiful, fiery little redhead who was never afraid to try something new, and always did so with this forward momentum. She was a force to be reckoned with, truly. She was proud of her Sydney roots and held on to the edginess that she loved about that place. She was a woman of vision, filling her life with creative people and projects. In Sydney, she joined up with &Company, as well as Gaffa Gallery. She taught, helped create collaborative maker spaces, and created exquisite work of her own that always left you in wonder at how it was made and the beauty and perfection of each detail.



When Sonya emailed me a while ago to say that she would be coming to the States, I was ecstatic. I couldn't wait to finally meet this girl in person! And when we finally did meet, my heart filled with even more love for her than before. We would skype while she was in Seattle, meet up when we could (us visiting there, or she and her partner visiting here), and then skype more when she was in Australia. I was doubly excited when she fell in love with her long-time friend Gabe, who she had been staying with in Seattle, and decided to move to the States. Gabe and my husband got along wildly and I was so excited to have this beautiful person in my life for longer.


The last time I saw Sonya was a few days before she took her own life. She and her husband came to Portland for the day--he worked and she and I spent the day together. We met up for coffee, chatted and schemed. We were working on a collaboration for an exhibition called Co:operation Garnish and had been sharing a notebook of ideas--I would do some ideation, then send it to her, and vice versa. So we were finally able to brainstorm together--about salt, roman influences, trade, neckpieces, etc. We perused Powell's Books and bought matching books on salt, and explored the art area as well. Then had a wonderful lunch at Dick's Kitchen, where she laughed at the "American" portion of gluten-free carrot cake. "I thought I was going to get a Sydney portion!"


We walked up to The Meadow on NW 23rd while talking about the differences between Australian and American architecture. "What's with all the wood houses? You guys are insane! They'll just burn up!" I joked that all the brick houses in Australia look alike (well, in Adelaide at least). At The Meadow we explored the different salts, investigating their structure, crystal size, location, and how they were colored. We tasted vanilla salt, which had many layers of flavor, and gawked at all the labels on the wall of chocolate. Then, we hopped next door to Barista, ordered some tea (chai for her, jasmine for me), and sat outside for more brainstorming. It started raining at one point, which neither of us were prepared for clothing-wise, but we stayed. There was enough tree cover to shield us from too much rain, allowing us to just watch and listen and laugh a bit at how we managed to stay dry.

I will always cherish that day. There are stories from it that catch me off guard now. I'll see something in passing and be transported back to those conversations. As much as my heart has been absolutely shattered by losing Sonya, I try to remember the gifts she gave me. The gift of more critical thought in my work and in my practice. The gift of running (she roped us into a 5K earlier this summer, which pushed me to train like never before). A wonderful friendship with her husband, Gabe. The gift of abundant connections, new perspectives, and focus.



I will be continuing with our project. I am working through the research, which is fascinating and painful at the same time. The notebook has gone missing, so I have written down every little detail I can remember of those conversations. My hope is to live up to her standards, her expectations--her drive and innovation.

There are so many more words I could say, and yet at times it feels there will never be enough.
To lose someone as incredible as Sonya is a hard loss to navigate. And yet, it is all one can do.

I pray that somewhere, she knew how much she was loved, and find peace knowing that now she is finally free from the pain she was in. And each day, I tell me husband how much I love him, and hold him a little closer. I hug my friends a little tighter. And I reach out a little more.

Peace be with you, dear friend. You are always in my heart.

Perhaps it is the changing seasons, but maybe it is something more. I can feel things changing within me.

I haven't been journaling, although I know I should. Time has been a precious thing around these parts lately.

Summer has wrapped up nicely. School has started again (not for me--yay!!) and it's been fun seeing all the new students, as well as returning ones. There have still been adventures--archery, hiking, ventures to the coast (on what was a 90+ degree day in Portland...and it was 20 degrees lower than predicted at the coast). September will be full of birthdays, weddings, and more adventures. I'm definitely looking forward to the slower seasons of fall and winter.

The studio is coming along, slowly. Between working two jobs, working out at the gym, and housesitting, I have rarely seen the inside of it. Yesterday was going to be a big push to get it finished, but we were waylayed by having to take our Siamese cat, Sammy, to the ER Vet. We spent 6 hours there. Today is full of two more vet visits, including one to an internal specialist.  Admittedly, I am struggling to maintain my normal levels of positivity while watching my cat suffer.

In other news, I have been thinking more about my business lately, and all the little things that make it tick. Rather, WILL make it tick. Which social media venues to concentrate on, redesigning my website/blog/etsy, etc. Retailers to pursue, designs, etc. Dave suggested putting wood laminate flooring down in the new studio and for half of yesterday, it was all I could think about. But, I'll be quite happy to just clean and seal the concrete floor and get set up again. Waiting to get set up is giving me the itchies to get working again!

Additionally, I have been thinking about salt. I am pairing up with a good friend (and metalsmith) to collaborate on a piece for Co:Operation Garnish--we are very excited!

More soon!

Summer is winding down here, and with those changes also come new beginnings. Specifically, a new studio for me! We are lucky enough to live in a 4-plex that has studios in the converted garages--one of which I have taken over and am in the process of painting. Admittedly, it's been a long process trying to fit painting in between two jobs, managing apartments, and working out so much. We finally have the coat of primer up and soon will start on the wall color--a beautiful white.

When I first walked into this studio, it was all plywood walls. My hopes of moving in right away were dashed--I knew immediately I needed to make this space my own and make it beautiful. Painting it white cleanses the surface, creates a canvas to build upon. Creates light.

(And living in Oregon, light becomes extremely important come Fall, Winter, and Spring.)

DW has been helping out a lot--caulking cracks and gaps, patching and sanding, installing base trim, and painting. I am so blessed to have such a supportive husband and partner--hopefully he will join me in the studio, working on his own projects.

After we finish painting the walls, I can move my bench in (and paint it before it's in its final place), as well as my hydraulic press, stump, and soldering station. I can't wait to get back to work again!

Thank you for reading.

If you know me well, you know that I am a Jill of All Trades.
Metalsmith, woodworker, nanny, house-sitter, pet-sitter, studio manager.
It all started when I returned to the U.S. from Australia and came back to school. I started nannying, thinking it would be a temporary gig (9 years later....), and slowly families started asking me to watch their pets and homes.

Staying in someone else's home is always a bit funny. There are quirks in each one. Kitchens without salt. Freezers without ice. Fridges without hot sauce (?!). Finding dishes, pots and pans, and cooking utensils can be an adventure. And there are plenty of weird noises at night.

This week I am staying with two adorable, fluffy black and white cats named Fig and Quince. They are lovely boys. The house is quiet and comfortable, with a HUGE back yard and lots of light. As much as I miss my husband and kitties, I love these weeks. I need these times to just be. Here, I cook for myself. I clean up after only myself. I boil eggs, make too many cups of tea, randomly bake things like rhubarb peach cobbler. I catch up on emails, phone calls, and books.

I sit in quiet.
I read.
I don't speak a word.

All I can hear is the kitten boys snoring and the whirring of the central air system.

Right now, this is bliss.

Inspiration comes to me from many corners of my life. I was recently tagged in a 'blog tour' by Amy Tavern, a friend and fellow metalsmith. I have admired Amy's work for many years--not only the end products themselves, but the process that she works through to get there. In more recent years, Amy has branched out in her use of materials and media, bringing her work and concepts to new levels. She recently completed a journey to northern Europe and residency in Iceland.

You can find her blog here and her blog tour post here.


Now, onto a few more blogs that I turn to for inspiration. As I said, inspiration comes to me from many corners. The blogs I read generally have little to do with my own artistic practice--I read them because they bring me joy or beg me to be more introspective with myself. I learn from them. I find comfort in them.



Jillian Lukiwski is a fellow metalsmith (The Noisy Plume) and friend who I have been in touch with for a few years now. Not only do I love Jillian's use of materials and imagery in her metalwork, but in her photography as well. I find so much vibrancy in her words and images--I often save time just to sit and soak it in. If we could all live life the way this firecracker does, the world would be a very different place.

You can find her blog here.




Brittany Chavez is a friend from Oregon College of Art and Craft that I met a few years ago. One thing I love about Brittany is her openness. She is a photographer and writer and has this spectacular talent of being able to make the mundane beautiful. Her writing is honest and vulnerable, often exposing things that people won't normally talk openly about. It is like a breath of fresh air.

You can find her blog here.


Sonya Scott is an incredible metalsmith and designer from Australia. In 2010, she curated a show called Reality Vs. Illusion for which I made three lockets. Sonya has an incredible design sense, and her work is subtle and effective. Her most recent exhibition work, Dripstone, tackled personal subjects beautifully and I cannot wait to see what she creates next.

You can find her blog here.

Thank you for reading!

Real life has been filled with many things...

Friends, who have barbecues, house warming parties, and surprise me multiple times for my birthday.

Gardening, where I find myself in constant battle with rose bushes, and hoping that my baby veggies will grow big and strong.

Adventures with my hubby where we play with horses or climb up hills to the almost-tippy-top.

Running, yoga, and the gym (need I say more? All that thesis energy has to have somewhere to go!)

And work, which is never just one simple job for me but usually the layering of 2-3 different jobs. I prefer to think about the more fun things.

Soon, there will be studio time added into this mix. I don't know how, but it will be.

You can find more here.

A couple of weeks ago, the Thesis class from OCAC met up at the site for our off-site exhibition to pick out our spaces for the show. Very exciting stuff--I'm looking forward to showing in this space and being surrounded by fantastic artists!

JUNCTURE opens May 16 at NW 10th & NW Hoyt in Portland, OR. The opening will be from 6-10 pm, and the show will run May 17-31, 11-6 pm daily.

I've had two wonderful photo shoots with my dear husband the past couple of days, and had to laugh at this photo because my pupils are two different sizes! Guess that's what happens with different lights and flashes. Luckily, David Woody is a whiz with post-production work and I know my photos will turn out fabulously. These were all taken with pieces from Refrain on the body--the work will be photographed separately in a couple weeks. Stay tuned!

It's all wrapping up, winding down. Not quite the end, but the end to a lot of things. The pieces have been made, the paper is written. There are no more meetings. Experimentations are done. There is a sense of both relief and disbelieving panic at the same time.

On Monday, I start installing my work in the Hoffman Gallery at OCAC for my first Thesis show (one of three), which opens on Wednesday. I'll have my Orals Defense on Thursday (to be followed by many celebratory drinks), followed by a public presentation on May 13, off-site exhibition (JUNCTURE) opening May 16, and graduate show at the Hoffman Gallery opening on May 17. Let the last of the whirlwinds begin!!

I will have much more to share about the actual work in my Thesis soon. I had a fantastic photo shoot with my husband, David Woody, today with the pieces on, and they will be photographed again in May. Overall, I'm thrilled with the pieces and the process I have undergone. I honestly could probably have written my thesis paper for months to come, and when I look back at my research, I find myself continually inspired. It's an incredible feeling.

In the meantime, if you want to see more of my process, head over to my Instagram!