How it started

My love affair with African antiquities was born over twenty years ago in an African art gallery in Stockbridge, MA, where I handled and studied a gallery of artifacts daily. I was most fascinated by the diverse styles and modalities used by African tribes to represent their culture, and I began to collect examples of those that spoke to me.

A few years (and many pieces) later, the inspiration to design my own jewelry came from reading Albert Gordon’s “The Tribal Bead.” Written by the owner of the gallery in which I had worked, this tiny book documented the rich history of African Trade beads, made of materials as old as one million years.

Where it went

Before long, I was traveling between Santa Barbara, California, and Dakar, Senegal, for many years - in search of vintage beads to feature in my jewelry.

The relationships I have forged with traders and collectors from Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Tibet allow me to collect the highest quality materials for my one-of-a-kind creations.

Through exquisite beauty and fascinating stories, I invite you to join me in celebrating the artistry of African Trade and other antique and vintage beads collected from around the world on display in my unique jewelry pieces.

How it’s going

Since returning from Senegal, I’ve settled in Tucson, Arizona, a city with a thriving art scene. The Stones Glass Bones studio is here, where I’m creating one-of-a kind necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, sourced fairly and ethically, while incorporating new discoveries, designs, and craftsmanship from my family and partners in Dakar and all over the world.