My one-of-a-kind work has focused on gifts and stories. What they are and how they make everyday moments and objects more meaningful.

Vein Glove

This project is one of my favorites. When we are in love with someone, it can be not only a sweet and syrupy experience, but a very visceral and gritty one. Every experience feels amplified. I wanted to combine these aspects by making a ring of sorts, but one that takes over your whole hand, and one that highlights veins and sinew. It is both beautiful and scary. I set the piece with a wisdom tooth.

Bethany's Reliquary

Reliquaries are shrines meant to house sacred objects. In 2009, I sent out postcards that could be folded up into little boxes. I asked friends to send me something they considered meaningful back in the little box. I made my own little reliquaries for each object I received. Looking back at this project, I think of these as shrines dedicated to friends at that moment in time.

John's Reliquary

Reliquaries are shrines meant to house sacred objects. In 2009, I sent out postcards that could be folded up into little boxes. I asked friends to send me something they considered meaningful back in the little box. I made my own little reliquaries for each object I received. Looking back at this project, I think of these as shrines dedicated to friends at that moment in time.

Myla's Reliquary

Reliquaries are shrines meant to house sacred objects. In 2009, I sent out postcards that could be folded up into little boxes. I asked friends to send me something they considered meaningful back in the little box. I made my own little reliquaries for each object I received. Looking back at this project, I think of these as shrines dedicated to friends at that moment in time.

Elisa's Reliquary

Reliquaries are shrines meant to house sacred objects. In 2009, I sent out postcards that could be folded up into little boxes. I asked friends to send me something they considered meaningful back in the little box. I made my own little reliquaries for each object I received. Looking back at this project, I think of these as shrines dedicated to friends at that moment in time.

Laura's Reliquary

Reliquaries are shrines meant to house sacred objects. In 2009, I sent out postcards that could be folded up into little boxes. I asked friends to send me something they considered meaningful back in the little box. I made my own little reliquaries for each object I received. Looking back at this project, I think of these as shrines dedicated to friends at that moment in time.

Personal Church Bracelet

This bracelet is worn as reminder that we are all our own sanctuaries,and it is possible to find peace in ourselves. When I made this, I was looking at a lot of medieval artwork with the exquisite frames portraying bible scenes. I realized I liked the frames a lot more than some of the paintings. I used the frame motif to make my own little sacred painting, one with just a little chair, as a homage to one of my favorite holy books: Be Here Now.

16 gifts from nurse to patient

I asked nurses in the cancer ward of the Women and Infant's hospital what they would most like to give their patients. I took their answers and made them into little brooches, to be given as gifts from nurse to patient.

Courage Pin

This is one of my favorite pieces from my series "16 gifts from nurse to patient" . I asked nurses in the cancer ward of the Women and Infant's hospital what they would most like to give their patients. I took their answers and made them into little brooches, to be given as gifts from nurse to patient.

Apothecaries

I made this series of boxes based on the beautiful imagery of chinese medicine labels. Each box is meant to help cure a chronic illness or problem of mine: loneliness, stress, lack of peace, gastro-intenstinal distress.

Gift Memorial

I made this box with a 24k golden bowl to memorialize the act of giving. The empty bowl is meant to symbolize that it is the giving itself, not the gift, that is most special.

Pomegranate Brooch

This series is called "24 Gifts. I asked friends what gift they would most like to give. I took all the answers and painted them in the style of Mexican retablos onto copper brooches. Then I distributed the pins between the friends. This brooch of a sacred pomegranate is one of my favorites.

24 gifts Wall Installation

This series is called "24 Gifts. I asked friends what gift they would most like to give. I took all the answers and painted them in the style of Mexican retablos onto copper brooches. Then I distributed the pins between the friends.