Biography:

 In my earlier years, I was a Middle School English teacher.  Teaching was my first passion. I loved seeing growth in my students.  I even extended my education on the subject with a Masters in Educational Leadership. 

My other passion has been rocks and gemstones.  Even as a child, I collected rocks. That collecting lead to jewelry designing.  After days filled with Middle Schoolers, my evenings were spent around a table making earrings and necklaces.  Over time, my body started failing and I soon had to give up my time in the school system.  I have battled a connective tissue disease for many years, and it had finally won.

I believe that our Lord opens doors when he needs to shut one, and my jewelry design was that door.  I started designing more and learning more and more new skills.  After taking a class on Soldering, I began working more with metals.  Then I took a class in Silver Metal Clay because I was looking for more texture and more 3D design.  I loved it.  After several years of battling my health, once again I was looking for a change in my design and I found Kim Booklass on YouTube using Aussie Metal Clay.  Metal Clay comes in colors!  I contacted Kim and Aussie Clay and started this wonderful journey.  Kim and Ros taught me the science behind metal clay and its wonderful properties. I learned about the kiln process and how it works to turn powdered clay into a solid sheet of silver, bronze or copper. Learning the science behind the process, helps me be a better designer and teacher.

With my first passion being teaching and my second being jewelry design, it makes sense to combine the two.  Over time, I have taught jewelry classes and kumihimo braiding classes at a local bead shop.  I have assisted new metal clay lovers in learning the kiln process through means of Skype and in person. I even own my own metal clay supply store on Etsy, Aves Design.  I have been Certified Level 1 as an Aussie Clay Teacher.  I would love to teach each of you about this wonderful clay and how it can expand your design abilities.  I can teach through Skype for those of you not local.  And for local students, I have a nice classroom setting available to book for larger groups (Flock of Five Art and Gifts Emporium in Sulphur, LA).  I also will hold classes at this venue on a regular basis. I work with all of the Aussie Clays, Argentium, 999 Silver, 960 Silver, Bronze Clays and Copper Clays, so please reach out by my email.