If you are just discovering my jewelry-welcome! You will find a little bit of everything here: vintage findings, faceted gemstones, unique chains, handsewn beadwork, freshwater pearls, and some treasures from distant lands. I hope you can try something on at a show. I will keep you posted of new events, but since you are already here…shop to your heart’s content.
Me, at 14 months
Who is she?
I am a jewelry lover. At the age of one, I often insisted on wearing a strand of beads in lieu of clothes. Now a grown-up who loves wearing clothes, I am pursuing this passion of accessorizing with my own line of jewelry. Drawing on the early embroidery lessons from my mother, beloved art classes, travels and hours lost in museums, I craft jewelry that appeals to the contemporary me, who wants to wear stylish yet affordable and comfortable pieces, as well as this kid at heart.
Inspired by Art Deco, it is an eclectic and unique collection, where contrasts in styles and materials, across diverse cultures and ages, influence the design process. I am drawn to the modern vibe of ancient Roman jewelry, the dainty charm of Victorian antiquities, and I love the aesthetic of precious gemstones with industrial metal finishes.
My jewelry works in mysterious ways. At various art fairs and bazaars, I marvel at how gemstone facets catch the light, and metals complement, in often unpredictable and delightful ways... but, only when they are dangling from an ear or clasped around a neckline. Life is too short not to try something on. It might just be that one strand of beads you love so much you won't want to wear anything else.
What’s behind the name?
Turandot was the name of one of my favorite shops in Broad Ripple, Indiana. It had an eclectic collection of jewelry, decorative arts, and cards. My sister, Jean, and I would always shop there after a lunch at Three Sisters Cafe. They both have a special place in my heart.
Turandot is also the name of an opera by Puccini. I had not seen it before I decided to incorporate the name for my designs. One day I went to a Metropolitan Opera production that was live-streamed at my local AMC theatre in Bloomington, Indiana, and was profoundly moved by this aria, Nessun Dorma. Some things happen for a reason.
What took you so long?
At my high school graduation I chose to play a cello solo to complement my classmate’s valedictorian speech, because I wanted to express my belief in the value of the arts. I had planned to pursue a career in commercial art, but I abruptly changed course my first year in college for what I felt was a safer route, optometry. After raising a son, devoting 30 years of my life in a profession helping others to see clearly, and losing my sister who was my soulmate, I am now listening to my inner child and high school self and re-embarking on an artistic journey.
Yes, this is my story, and I’m sticking with it.
