While visiting my sister in Cranbrook many moons ago now, we took a scenic drive through the foothills to the little mountain town of Kimberley. Tucked into the Rockies is a charming pedestrian plaza called the Platzl, filled with cobbled paths and small artisan shops.

One shop caught my eye with a display of glass pendants—tiny drops of color hanging from branches like fruit in the sun. I was mesmerized. I chose one: a clear drop with ribbons of tangerine. At the counter, I asked about them. “My husband makes those,” the woman said. 

And that’s all it took. I became fascinated with the art of lampwork.

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In time, I began a small business selling handmade glass beads to jewelry designers. I called it Sweetwater, after the underground spring and the name of my family’s cattle ranch in northern British Columbia—a place that shaped my childhood and still shapes my work.

Though I now sell my jewelry under my own name, the spirit of Sweetwater remains. My pieces are rooted in family, land, and a deep love for natural beauty. I've since added a metal working addition to the studio where I craft my own clasps using time worn silversmithing techniques. My husband has added his sand cast rings and together our studio is a noisy, creative haven.

Today I live in western Washington with my beloved American husband and our two endlessly entertaining dogs, George and Charlie.

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