I love stories. I love hearing them and how they make me feel, whether that was my dad painting a colorful story to me as a kid, hearing my clients' stories working as a personal trainer, catching up with my friends over a cup of coffee, or learning about why a client would want to redesign their mother's jewelry collection into something they will love to wear. 

In addition to loving to hear stories, I love telling them. I got that trait from my father, who got VERY animated telling stories! He was a fantastic storyteller, and anyone who knew him remembers this about him.

So, I guess you can say I've always been a people-person and storyteller. It's in my DNA.

Jewelry is one of the best ways to connect you to your favorite stories, whether that is about your favorite place or your favorite person. And my purpose behind my work is to help convey your story though my jewelry designs. Each piece is created with the intention to timelessly connect you to your favorite person, place, or memories. 

I am a jewelry designer, metalsmith, jewelry instructor, retail and jewelry school owner (Silver Peak Jewelry Arts). I am thrilled to have my brick-and-mortar in Lafayette, Colorado in East Boulder County, a place where I have lived for 28 years.

As a little girl, I collected rocks, minerals, and seashells along the shores of the Bay Area in Northern California. I loved to draw. And paint. Yet in school I excelled in math and science, so it seemed natural that I got a Master's Degree in Kinesiology. For 18 years, I had a successful career as a Personal Fitness Trainer and Triathlon Coach.

In November 2009, still recovering professionally from the economic downturn and housing crisis, I knew I had to have an outlet for my stress that was not work-related, which meant it did not involve exercise.

I was inspired to pull some gemstone beads out of the drawer that I purchased at the Denver Gem Show (at the time I had no idea why I was buying them, I just thought they were "pretty") and I taught myself basic stringing and started making jewelry. 

At that moment, I reconnected with a part of myself that had been dormant for many years. Wanting more of a challenge, I studied metalsmithing at the Denver School of Jewelry Arts from 2012-2016, and I fell in love with fusing sterling silver, which enables me to create one-of-a-kind textures.

In 2014, I found myself at a crossroads with my career when I was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia and labral tears. After two hip preservation (PAO) surgeries, I decided to retire from my fitness career and go full-time with my jewelry business. Since then, I have done hundreds of art shows, sold my work to over 60 retail partners across the country, studied at GIA (Gemological Institute of America) to become an Accredited Jewelry Professional, and opened my jewelry school and store, Silver Peak Jewelry Arts.

Offering custom jewelry services is the best way I know how to best put my skills to use and to give you exactly what you want.