My Inspirational JOURNEY 

I have always been inspired by naturally occurring repetitive patterns found in nature.  Think of tree bark patterns, or
​the patterns left in the sand after the ocean wave pulls away. My process is to solve how I can create those textures using traditional metalsmithing techniques.
January 2023 I took a sharp right turn.  I assessed  my new line of Tahitian cherries and quickly realized that  I had found the missing element in my work.  Leaves!  not just one, or two but groups of leaves and flower buds.  I have all the tools and techniques to produce this body of work.  So I am moving forward with the Magnolia Collection, and ​Tahitian Cherry Collection, and I am leaving behind all the other bodies of work.  Hope you stay around and see what develops.  The hammers from the Tales from the Blacksmith Hammers will still be my go to's for subtle textures.

Tales from the blacksmith hammers

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I was fortunate to be at an auction where a milk crate of hammers came up.  My husband did not know I was going to bid.  When the hammer came down, I had them all.  I love the round hammer as that texture is use on a lot of my surfaces, while the one on top is used on wire creating slashes in the metal. 

Asymmetrical earrings the story

Barbara does not play by the rules, never did, and most probably never will.  Beside, who said that earrings had to be mirror images.  My asymmetrical earrings started as a triple stack, so don't be alarmed if you hear me call them that. I started by taking three elements and mixing them up.  Customers asked for something shorter, I created a short stack.   

And, just so you know,...... I do know how to make a mirror image earring in any style. Just ask me, I'd be happy to make a symmetrical pair for you.  I am retiring my triple stacks and short stacks but will still find a way to make an asymmetrical earring.
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Ripples in the Sand

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 Reticulation is both a metal and a process.  An alloy of 80% silver and 20% copper is called reticulate silver.  Due to the higher copper content over sterling when the metal is heated silver molecules break away from the alloy forming a fine silver skin.  This skin cools more rapidly than the silver/copper alloy, creating ripples in the surface of the metal, much like the patterns left after the ocean wave pulls away.  This body of work has been retired as of 2018.
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Osage Collection

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Effective June 2021 I have chosen to Retire this texture from my work.
​Inspired by the osage orange, (Macular pomifera) which is a fruit that smells like roses, but is  bitter  for human taste, but squirrels love it! It has the most sensual feeling of bumpy bumps, but they are smooth to the touch, yet hard. I worked to capture this texture by roller printing those red auto-shop rags.  I remember the gas station attendant, Hap always a smile, a warm greeting, and one of those rags hanging out of that rear pocket in his pants. ​

Traveler Series 

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Babs' first collection was of sea glass, yup....I walked the beach everyday whether I needed it or not.  Man's best friend "Bentley" needed his exercise and so did I.  Except I was always looked down.  Long after seaglass was no longer found locally, and we began to travel, read that as FLorida in the Winter, Mid-West spring and fall, home for the summers.  I would seek a pool of water to walk by, but I was still looking down.  On one trip we brought back over 75 pounds of Lake Michigan jaspers, from the very small to large.  Yikes what was I thinking.  

When I began teaching, specifically various stone setting techniques, I did not want to use a gem stones and create a piece that I would end up taking apart.  Into the bag of remaining sea glass, beach stones, river rocks & fossils, I think you might know where this is going..........
Each piece has an "As Found" Treasure in it.  Just located another bag of Lake Michigan jaspers. COVID change the way I teach so no more Travelers.  Enjoy!