1. Who is this artwork for?
Originally it was only for myself, but now it’s for everyone. I started making jewelry in my early teens because I couldn’t find what I was looking for in stores. Then it evolved into wearable art for women. This year, I added a painting as a way to display the jewelry and in the process of doing that, it became art for everyone. Now it is for people who appreciate, and want to own, a different type of dimensional artwork.

2. How did you start making this type of jewelry?
I became inspired by a postcard of a bird’s eye view of the beach in Santa Monica. (See postcard above.) What caught my attention was something about the towels, umbrellas on the sand, the waves and the rocks. I was inspired to create a stylized painting of an aerial view of the beach. One day, I was looking at one of my paintings and thought I could make jewelry that looks just like the paintings with the theme of the beach. I had absolutely no idea how I was going to do it, but I didn’t let that stop me because the inspiration was so strong and I decided it would have to be a series. The rest is history.
(The 18 beaches I created out of that inspiration are in the painting section of the drop down menu).

3. Is there a classification to this artwork?
Yes. There are the Aerial Views series (Frameables Collection) such as The Beach, The Golf Course, The Italian Restaurant and The Love Letter. Then there are the The Unfunction Series made of unusual materials (Unfunction Collection) such as The Holiday Cards Series (made of used holiday greeting cards) , The Grains Series (made of rice, lentils and quinoa), for example.

4. Can I wear this artwork?
It depends. The Aerial Views Collection is more fragile than the Unfunction Collection. Each series has a rating from 1 (a little fragile) to 10 (not recommended to wear). You can view the rating in the description of each series.

5. What is the purpose of the painting in the background?
It is the perfect complement to the jewelry and acts as a display. Anyone can own this jewelry since it is a three dimensional artwork that is displayed on a wall like a painting. The support painting removes the obviousness of jewelry and enhances the identity of the pieces as artwork. In my earlier work, the art-jewelry was designed only for people to wear. Now, with the addition of the painting in the background, it is also a work of art to be hung on your favorite wall.

6. How are the jewelry pieces attached to the painting?
Each piece is propped up and supported on the painting from behind by a small pillow. A matching wire runs through the pillow and attaches to the jewelry piece. To show or wear the art-jewelry, depending on the case, just carefully separate the wires to remove the piece.

7. How do I know where to put the pieces back on the painting after removing them?
Your investment comes with a picture that contains the legend of where each piece belongs on the painting. You can also see that picture in each series displayed on this website.

8. Where would I wear this art-jewelry?
Anywhere! Someplace festive is a great choice. But keep in mind you will have to be the judge of the degree of “safety” since some of the pieces are fragile. Each series comes with its own recommended care and maintenance.

9. How do I take care of this art-jewelry?
Show off your pieces in their plexiglass box, but avoid having them in direct sun. Be aware of extreme high or low temperatures. I.e., do not let the plexiglass box and the art sit in a hot car. Remove them as soon as possible. Be sure you keep the door of the box closed so you do not have to clean inside. Simply lightly wipe the outside of the box with a soft cloth, rather than using cleaners. Do not use ammonia to clean it. Ammonia free Windex is fine. Handle the pieces as little as possible. If handling the jewelry, wash your hands prior to handling as the oils on the skin will mark the jewelry over time.

10. What kind of outfit do you recommend I wear with this jewelry?
To show off the art-jewelry, it’s best to wear something that doesn’t distract attention away from it. Neutral solid colors may be ideal for many of the pieces. But feel free to wear your favorite solid color that will enhance the piece. It is best to have the jewelry rest on clothing whenever possible. This is due to avoiding getting oil from the skin or any product on the jewelry, as mentioned above.

11.  What if the art-jewelry needs repair?
Repairs are generally possible. Please be aware, depending on the problem, some of the art-jewelry may not be able to be repaired if it breaks. You would send a picture or a video with an explanation and we would let you know if it is reparable and give you an estimate. It is strongly advised not to wear the jewelry so it is long lasting. See #4 above.

12. You created jewelry that can be worn. Why did you also create some of it that cannot be worn?
This artwork is the demonstration of how far the creative impulse can go. I originally made it for myself because I couldn’t find what I wanted in stores.  It was art for the sake of art and for me, the artist, to wear and I got a lot of attention every time I wore it! Some of my inspirations were too fragile to be worn and they became pieces to display, rather than wear. When people come to your home and see these innovative works of art, they can be real conversation starters! The jewelry I did wear was in my debuts and some of it is displayed in the About Me page.

13. Are you going to make more?
Absolutely. There are new series released twice a year.  Join my mailing list to be notified when a new series is released.

14. What is the intent of this artwork?
The intent is to entertain! Quite a few of the art-jewelry pieces are frivolous and meant to be humorous. I will have achieved my goal for those who can see it!

15. How do you choose the themes and materials?
Most of my art-jewelry is inspired by my own real life incidents. As previously stated, the first one was inspired by a postcard of a beach. After designing the Beach Series, something got unleashed that became a pattern of aerial views and I went on to create the Golf Course Series and the Castle Wall Series as I looked at an old photograph of a wall in the countryside of France.

16. Is the artwork signed and dated? Yes. Each pieced of art is signed and dated on the back of the painting and a picture was taken. It is covered by fabric and stapled to the frame of the painting. The picture proof of the Title, Signature and Date of the piece is placed on the Certificate of Authenticity, as well as a picture of the artwork and delivered along with the piece of art.

The Unfunction Collection was inspired by my then-boyfriend when he broke a guitar string and I couldn’t bear to throw it out, which inspired the Guitar String Series. One thing led to another and the Phone Wire Series was created. The Tulle Series came out of a trip to a store when I went to pick up tulle for my mother and I got inspired. Once I get the first inspiration, the rest is just history!

17. General Care Instructions: be careful when tightening the metallic wires so they don’t mark the art if too tight. Check periodically so you have no mark, change slightly where it attaches to the piece.Do not leave the art into hot or cold car or outside under these conditions. Keep away from the sun. Wash and dry hands thoroughly before handling. Fragility rate for wearing purposes is: 1 for least fragile and 10 for most fragile.