I work with vitreous enamel which is the china like color you see in my work. It is powdered glass which I sift onto the metal shapes and fire in a kiln at 1400 degrees in very small batches. I fire each individual piece a minimum of three times with layers of enamel to achieve a more variegated appearance. My aim is to mimic colors and textures found in nature and let the variable nature of firing glass in a kiln be what makes each piece one of a kind.

The work begins with raw stock materials; sterling silver, copper, gold and bronze sheet and wire, vitreous enamel, wood and semiprecious stones. The metal is cut, carved, hammered, formed and sanded by hand until the design becomes material. I have always enjoyed the physicality and repetition involved in making things. It makes me feel like Gepetto and I like that. I’m most happy working with my hands.