Sentimental adornments for the Poetic Historian in you:

I have been passionately designing and crafting my own unique jewelry items since early childhood, slowly honing my creative style over a 20 year period. Founded in 2004, After Dark Jewelry is the culmination of a life-long dream: to develop an artistic business based on uplifting, inspiring and adorning the female form. My goal throughout the creative process is to encourage women to be bold, daring, and utterly extraordinary -- to embrace their own unique qualities, both inside and out. I enjoy weaving stories within each miniature work of art, and hope those who choose to wear my handiwork will feel the love I infuse into every piece.

I've recently returned to the United States after living in the wee Medieval village of Meersburg, Germany -- this has had a profound influence on my current work. It will not come as a surprise to most that I have a fondness for Gothic architecture and Medieval history. Nay, not mere fondness. It is adoration bordering on the divine when crossing the threshold of a 1000 years young castle. Tears of joy roll down my cheeks as I sit quietly in an old cathedral pew; trembling in delight, in wonder... It is from these grand structures that I find myself turning to over and over again for unending inspiration.

As a mixed media artist I utilize a wide variety of techniques and materials in my work. Living with an entomologist / naturalist also impacts the scope of materials I choose to work with: insects, antique bisque doll parts, stained glass, vintage metal stampings and ephemera of all kinds have found their way into After Dark Jewelry designs.

Remnants of my own personal travels around the world are hidden carefully and deliberately into my pieces as I secretly attach a bit of my own world and heart to those who choose a piece from After Dark Jewelry. I create many of my beads, pendants and focal pieces out of clay and mixed metal and paint each by hand with an aged patina finish. As a result of the unique techniques I've developed, the jewelry I create is extremely durable and long-lasting, designed to be passed down to cherished loved ones throughout the years.

In closing, I would like to impart one last message which is at the heart of After Dark Jewelry:

I am devoted to preserving and protecting our planet's natural resources. I make every effort to ensure I am utilizing techniques and practices that are environmentally sound, both at home and in the studio. When wildlife is showcased in my work they are found insects which were discarded or have expired naturally in the wild. I do not wish to contribute to the loss of our natural resources but serve as a means to celebrate nature.