JEWELRY WORK AND DESIGN INFLUENCE:  The jewelry I create is based upon my interpretation of the word "treasure."  Treasure has captivated the thoughts and dreams of countless individuals over time. . . and I am certainly no exception.  The word conjures up the splendor of antiquity such as the fantastic finds of Tutankhamen's tomb, the gold, silver, and jewels of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha (a Spanish treasure galleon sunk in 1622), the treasures of the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet, the jewel-encrusted objects of the Imperial Treasury in Vienna and the British Crown Jewels, along with many others.  From an early age, I have had an insatiable fascination with treasure which has since turned into a passion for creating it.  However, just as not all treasure is jewelry, not all jewelry is treasure.  For me, it is how the rich yellow of high-karat gold combines with, and yet contrasts to, vibrantly-colored gemstones to create something so exquisite that it transcends the word "jewelry" and enters the realm of "TREASURE"! 

With this as my starting point, I have focused on the ancient Etruscan technique of granulation to create modern pieces echoing the opulence of the distant past for those seeking their own personal piece of contemporary treasure.

MY TRAINING:  My interest in jewelry and gemstones began at an early age. My father received a degree in geology and had gathered an extensive mineral collection. Captivated by the beauty of the crystals, it was not long before I began to develop my own collection.

When I turned 18, I decided to get the equipment to cut and polish many of the stones in my collection. After cutting a few practice pieces, I took them over to the local jewelry store/rockshop. Impressed by the work I had done, the owner offered me a job as an apprentice. It was there that I was taught the basics of jewelry repair and began an obsession with jewelry design. Still unsure of my vocational direction, I began working on a vocal performance degree at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. During the summers, I would return to my hometown of Traverse City, Michigan and spend my time working at the jewelry store. In 2000, having spent two of my summers working there, I decided to take a break from college and move out to San Francisco to attend the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. It was there that I learned the techniques I would need to know to become a successful goldsmith; everything from stone-setting and engraving to advanced fabrication. It was also there that I was first introduced to and learned the technique of granulation.

Upon learning this new technique, I traveled back home to Traverse City and began to practice it every chance I had. Nonetheless, I still had not yet graduated from college. Eager to finish a degree and realizing that I did not wish to continue to deal with the stress of performing, I returned to school and began working towards a bachelor's in German. It had been my original intent to move to Germany to study at the famous jewelry school in Pforzheim, which I had learned of while in San Francisco, and a German major would prove quite handy. However, in my first semester back at college I met the woman who would eventually become my wife, Sara.  With the realization that I would not be able to leave her to study jewelry in Germany, I began driving the two and a half hour drive back to my home nearly every weekend to work on jewelry. During that time, it was not uncommon for me to arrive at home at 8:00pm and work until 3 o'clock in the morning on my latest piece. In 2002, I graduated from Hope College with a major in German and began designing jewelry full time. 

As of the Fall of 2008, I have also begun producing custom Sterling Silver pet tags and Titanium pet tags (guaranteed for the life time of your pet).  Please take a look at our pet tag site at http://www.thesterlingpet.com/. 

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ME:

• I have played piano since I was 5.
• I am a certified Advanced Scuba Diver as well as a certified Advanced Freediver (breath-hold diving) and at one point was capable of holding my breath for over 5 minutes and diving below 100ft.
• I currently hold a 2^nd degree Black Belt in Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu and teach karate classes at Fabiano's Karate in Holland, MI
• I am a classically trained singer and spent 2 years of college pursuing a vocal performance degree.
• Most important of all: I have a wonderful wife Sara, a beautiful daughter Elizabeth, and a fantastic son Oliver.