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Last updated 14 October 2019
Something about me
That's me with the shiny head
My working life was spent as a teacher and researcher specialising in molecular biology and biochemistry. I started my career in England before earning a PhD in Canada, followed by working in research laboratories in the USA, Canada, and Canberra, before finally settling in Brisbane. For more about my career, click here. I took up lapidary (collecting, cutting and polishing rocks and gems) for a hobby when I retired to Caloundra on the Australian Sunshine Coast in 2007.
Once I had several trays full of polished rocks, I started making them into jewelry and ornaments, focussing on wire-wrapping.
The style of wire-wrapping that I learned initially is very basic. Although I still use this design, I have developed several variations as well as some completely new ones.
To be a successful scientist requires a great deal of creativity. I now channel my creative instincts in the jewelry designs that I have developed.
I work with natural materials and each stone has a unique texture and pattern. The creative challenge is to work in harmony with these natural features to produce a piece of wearable art.
The stones I use come from around the world: as close as a local beach and as far away as Afghanistan. The wire used in most of my pendants and brooches is 'Argentium' sterling silver. Argentium is a newly-developed type of sterling silver that is resistant to tarnishing so that it requires only occasional cleaning. For a gold look, without the price of gold, I use brass ('Merlin's Gold'). I am now gold-plating most of my brass pendants to stop them from tarnishing.
