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I have always thought of myself as a non conformist with my own style and flare. I like to be original. I like to be unique. I try to instill these ideas in my three young daughters who happen to be the center of my universe! So much so, that they are the ones behind the name of my business CEK Custom Designs! (Caroline, Ella and Kate)

I have always had a passion for sterling silver jewelry. Particularly large chunky pieces. Pieces that are unique that you don't see everywhere. I have always wished that I had the technique and skill to create such pieces.

I started making jewelry for myself when I was in high school. Back then it was just beaded necklaces or bracelets using wire and glass beads...who has the money for anything else when you're in high school? As I got older and had more of an income I stepped up to sterling silver beads, wire and findings. Then with a stroke of luck I came across a material called Precious Metal Clay and my whole world completely changed!

As defined in Wikipedia Metal Clay is:

"...a clay-like medium used to make jewelry, beads and small sculpture. It consists of very small particles of precious metals (such as silver, gold or platinum) mixed with an organic binder and water. Metalclay can be shaped just like any soft clay, by hand or using moulds. After drying, it is fired in a kiln, with a handheld gas torch, or on a gas stove. The binder burns away, leaving the pure, sintered metal...Silver precious metal clay results in objects containing .999 pure silver which is ideal for enamelling..."

I was fortunate enough to take two classes with a wonderful instructor, Dina Alexander, and gained the basic skills and technique to work with this revolutionary material. That is when my world changed. It is so exciting to start with a lump of clay and then with your own two hands turn that lump into a beautiful piece of art that can be worn. I really feel like a little piece of myself is in each item that I create.

I also have plans to take traditional metalsmithing classes to further my work with sterling silver.

My favorite material to work with is PMC, but I love to incorporate dichroic glass cabochons into my PMC pieces. As of yet I do not have the skill to make my own dichroic cabochons (hopefully one day!!!). I get my dichroic cabs from a wonderfully talented artist in CA, Carolyn Relei (www.carolynrelei.com). She is so talented and just blows me away with her beautiful glass works of art! I also use sterling silver wire and beads, semi precious stones and gemstones and glass beads.

So here I am! I hope you liked learing a little bit about me and I hope you enjoy my pieces as much as I enjoy making them!