I find myself deeply invested in my jewelry work and business; is it scary every day? Sure, I am scared of all the same things you are—what if I am not doing enough? What if I lose creativity? What if I do become a starving artist? I have accepted my feelings. They are valid, but they do not define me nor shall they stop me from living my life.

Finding motivation is especially difficult when the results are uncertain. Trust me, I have made pieces I was deeply disappointed by and they now only exist in my memory. But I have also made beautiful work I hope will live forever. However, both of my successful and not so successful work has taught me the skills and lessons that have pushed me to where I am today and taught me there is nothing to fear other than not trying. Like the saying goes: there is no light without darkness.

With every piece I make I think about what each design says about my work—I sit to reflect and think. How does this one piece exist within the DNA of my work?

I use the four C's as a purchasing tool and not the decision-maker as to what diamonds I use. Sometimes a smaller diamond will outshine any other stone in a room or simply be better suited for a project. It is not all about size.

Art is the baby of decision making or the lack thereof. It is a representation of ideas and ideals. Of beauty and desire for something transcendental; an experience. A love affair with the beautiful—the opportunity to make something that will stop time and make us dream about the future.

work is from a few years ago when I gave a presentation in front of an Architecture class I was taking. As I presented my work to classmates, I mentioned a few things I was unhappy about in my final project—Professor Wilson (my class professor), was quick to advise me to present my work and give space to the viewer to make their analysis. That is when I realized there are enough critics already, why add to the list?