My first vending show was in 2013. It was a small event and I was told that I would have a table. All I brought was my jewelry and a small laptop that ran a slideshow of my custom designs. I had no tablecloth, no signs, but I brought the entrepreneurial spirit with me, made it work and made some great sales and connections.
I credit my mother for my love of jewelry and sparkly things. I used to play with her jewelry box and try to take apart her rhinestones necklaces and earrings and put them back together. I probably broke more that I created, but she still praised me for a job well done.
I began creating jewelry in the late 80’s and early 90’s in New Haven, Connecticut. I am a nurse by trade and wanted to find something to boost my creativity. I can’t remember how it all started, but I began searching the area for beads and findings and I was hooked. I gave jewelry as gifts and created designs for friends, family, and coworkers. I moved to the Washington Metropolitan area and my love for making jewelry blossomed. I had never been to a bead store, I had only purchased from catalogs. After visiting my first bead shop, I committed to finding every single one that my car could travel to.
I have had many stops and starts during my jewelry designing career and now spend much of my spare time creating pieces that bring me joy. That joy is multiplied when I create a custom piece and receive positive feedback from my customers.