I can remember being younger and thinking I did not want to get any older. Now that I am middle aged I can honestly say life could not be better. I am doing something I am passionate about, living on beautiful Cape Cod and enjoying my time working with silver.
I grew up in the town of Dennis and as most of my friends did, left to go to college. I stayed away for six years, traveling and living in England for a year. During all of this time I was avidly riding horses and traveling with a member of the British Olympic team. I decided to return to the states and set up a riding stable in North Harwich, which I ran for several years. I then went on to work as a veterinary medical technician. One of my friends was married to the Dennis town manager and he asked me if I would like to apply to become the dog officer for the town. I kept that job for a year and decided to try and become a police officer. I became the only woman police officer in Dennis and held the position for 20 years. I was unfortunately injured on the job and was forced into retirement.
About a year later I was approached by Eve Carey of Eden Hand Arts and asked if I would like a position there. Eden is a very special place that had been discovered by more and more people interested in the work of John Carey and Edward Harper. Because of their fame the business was in need of a person familiar with handling crowds, lots of cars and just dealing with problems that arose. It was perfect for me! In the winter I worked for them and in doing so I developed a love for working with silver. To this end I attended the North Bennet Street School in the North End of Boston and trained there as a silversmith. John Carey is and always will be considered a mentor to me.
Also, when I finished at North Bennet I found Jane and Stan Davidson. They had been jewelers for 31 years and retired after stellar careers in which they travelled all over the United States. Both have been wonderful mentors and supporters of my work and I have grown as an artist under their tutelage.
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In the course of jewelry making the most interesting thing happened. My best friend, Pam Nelligan, who I have known for 34 years turned out to be an amazing designer of jewelry. She is a professional photographer who now lives in Chester, Vt. When we would get together she would often have drawings of pieces she thinks will look good in silver. She designed my fammy flounder, my sunburst, my heart and the beautiful necklace with the citrine that will be on the cover of a book done on Fletcher farm in Vt.
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My Whole Life I have enjoyed working with my hands and have taken great pleasure in sewing, knitting, quilting and gardening. I must admit these hobbies have taken a back seat to my new career as a silversmith. I spend wonderful hours working from my beautiful home, breaking to take the dog for a walk on the beach or in the woods around my neighborhood. I am content and very happy with my life and can't imagine changing a thing for years to come.
