I began metalsmithing and jewelry making in the summer of 2003. I was a psychology major at Bowling Green State University when I thought it might be fun to take the ring-making workshop being offered that summer. The workshop was instructed by renowned metalsmith, Thomas Muir. My first ring was made of sterling silver and titled “Grass Ring”; it had a wide band shank with a small round cup on top with live grass inside. From that point on, I was hooked. I loved the creative potential of metal. Soldering became a sort of passion of mine. Tom convinced me to changed my major. I did and never looked back.