Dandelions and Star Flowers: New Work for 2026

My latest collection is deeply inspired by the shifting life of my garden, drawing primarily from the humble dandelion and the Amsonia (star flower) plant. In creating these pieces, I have been revisiting vintage acrylic I made in the 1980s, (for my graduate reaearch) exploring new methods to secure them to metal structures. For the dandelion pieces, hundreds of tiny, melted metal balls act as natural prongs. They create a soft, organic frame that beautifully contrasts the structured plastic.

The Amsonia plant inspires a different texture; after its blossoms fade, it leaves behind slender seed pods. Using the lost-wax casting process, I transform these organic pods into rich silver and gold elements. My work is continually guided by the cyclical journey of a woman's life—progressing from flower to fruit, and finally to seed. I love the poetic reality that these pods are the fruit of the plant, yet they safely carry the seeds of the next generation inside. You will find these textures integrated into my newest pendants, earrings, and rings.

As always, older styles naturally find their way back into my repertoire; it takes time to fully exhaust a design, and I find joy in continuously exploring their variations.