I've always had an artistic streak: I wanted a career in commercial art as a teenager (which I abandoned), studied fine art in college (also abandoned), but somehow ended up doing PC technical support, of all things.

As a kid, I was the one sitting in the house crocheting, or painting, or doing needlepoint & macrame when everyone was running around playing outside. In fact, I used to WISH for rainy days!

As an adult, I was a frustrated artist, still doing hobby crafts but wanting more. A couple of years ago I finally did something about it, buying old beaded glass & crystal necklaces to make into newer, more wearable pieces. From there it snowballed into a full-fledged costume jewelry addiction, and I set up my own website, Grateful Relics, to resell vintage costume jewelry, and showcase my own designs.

For a while I got to work from home until it became necessary for me to go back to a "regular" day job. My craft time is now limited, and so I also enjoy reworking vintage items in poor condition, restoning or enameling for use as components in new collage designs — or just to make something wearable again. My taste runs to the gaudy/glitzy and is heavily influenced by the Hollywood glamour eras, of which I am a big fan.

Originally from New York City, I now live in Austin, TX with my husband and two teenage daughters. Past and current creations can be viewed at www.gratefulrelics.com/gallery.html.