The Process | Profile

Artist Statement

The backdrop was the 1960’s. Influenced by the temperament of a small town with a racial divide, I was reminded growing up that I was different. Besides being the only Chinese kid in the class, I had the added burden of being a girl with a boy's name. I learned to be resourceful, often resorting to slugging it out in the sandbox. So in my five-year old mind, survival tactics usually had something to do with creating a whole separate world of my own making. I felt safest doodling fancy Chinese ladies at court, wearing sumptuous gowns and jeweled headdresses. Little did I know that these were the seeds for a future as a costume designer and jewelry artist.

When I was ten, I remember visiting my Grandmother for the last time. Dwarfed by pillows, trays of potions and pills, as she lay back gathering herself to make her last wishes known, motioned for me to come closer. Then taking the double pearl ring from her right ring finger, she placed it into the palm of my hand. From that day on, I knew jewelry could possess powers beyond the materials from which they are made.

Jewelry is intimate by nature, and I am lured by this comfort. As a costume designer, I have given much thought about the meaning of dress for people, and significance of how we choose to adorn our bodies. Clothing is necessary to shield us from the elements. Jewelry, as much as we desire it, is still optional. I believe this is significant because it tells me that jewelry fulfills a more basic, primordial need. When I look at ancient jewelry, I can't help but to think that it is telling me stories of sentiment, superstition, and the values of the day. My jewelry symbolizes events and things important to us in our day. Anthropological finds in the making.

It is very satisfying creating something so intimate. I feel it connects me to all of our past while helping us discover our future. It’s been a serendipitous journey for me to arrive at this intersection of my work and be able to discover there are more similarities than differences between us all. We are all connected when we wear a symbol of something that has held meaning for civilizations before us. I hope that my jewelry possesses the spirit of that connection.

My intention is that my jewelry be a reflection of who you are, and where you are in life. I create jewelry to bear the hallmark of what holds significance to you in your life now. Perhaps it will connect you to generations in the future.

Talismans for Modern Living. Jewelry art designed to bear good intentions.