My reason for creating jewelry is because of the stone.  I started this chapter of my life learning lapidary skills, which transitioned quite naturally into silver-smithing.  I take interesting and unusual rough material, create unique polished stones and then set them in sterling silver.  I work with a lot of stones that are found here, in the great state of Oregon: many different jaspers, jade from Eastern Oregon, local agate from the Green Springs area… in addition to other outstanding specimens from other parts of the country.